Good. Very good in fact. Just not good enough. That was the story in a nutshell from last Sunday’s epic encounter between a courageous Galway side and an ever so slightly superior Tipperary outfit.
John McIntyre and his management team were rightly proud of their side’s efforts in what will probably be the best game of inter-county hurling this season.
It was stirring stuff. The second half in particular was both mesmerising and magical with two quality sides going at it hammer and tongs and, if a break or two had gone Galway’s way, then it could be them that are marching on to face Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final in a few weeks time instead of the end of their 2010 season.
Referee James Owens (Wexford ), too, played a part and he could have given Niall Healy the benefit of the doubt in the final play of the game when he appeared to be fouled by a band of Tipperary defenders. A maroon call there and the game could have gone into extra-time or maybe even a victory for Galway.
It was that close and one decision either way would have made all the difference.
