Galway qualified for their 10th u-21 hurling final in the last 15 years when they brushed aside Dublin in Tullamore last Saturday evening.
Dublin were without some of their best players due to injury while Rory O’Carroll was in action with the senior footballers on Sunday, but, that said, Galway did what they had to in order to advance.
Team captain David Burke led by example from centre-back as he smacked over four good frees and mopped up plenty of possession. Behind him, NUIG Fitzgibbon Cup winners Declan Connolly and Paul Gordon did well in their line, while both Niall Donohue and Sylvie Óg Linnane were solid on the wings.
In attack Niall Quinn and Eoin Forde impressed in the half-forward line. Quinn goaled his penalty with aplomb and Forde hit some fine points from number 12.
Bernard Burke came on as a substitute for the injured Richie Cummins and he took his opportunity, showing lightning pace to score a goal and put the tie beyond Dublin’s reach.
Anthony Cunningham was delighted with his side’s win and is hopeful they will push on from the performance.
“The lads have worked awful hard during the summer and it has been tough going. It is an old rivalry with Tipperary now in the final. They were very impressive - they defeated Antrim by 2-32 to 1-07- but there is a lot of hurling to be done between now and the final.”
*The All-Ireland u-21 final is fixed for Saturday, September 11.
