Defending All-Ireland interfirms hurling champions, Medtronic Galway, kept alive the dream of back-to-back titles with a comprehensive 12-point victory over a determined Cork Garda side in Mallow (Cork ).
Despite a relatively low scoring first half, it was a competitive affair with Iarla Tannian’s goal the decisive score of the opening period.
Ger Burke opened the scoring for Medtronic with a sweetly struck point from play after six minutes. With Keril Wade accurate from frees, Medtronic were on top early on, aided by a hungry defence.
Medtronic led by five points at half time thanks to Tannian’s goal early in the second quarter when he powered through the Cork defence before unleashing an effort from 20 metres which gave the Cork keeper no chance.
Leading by 1-06 to 0-4, Medtronic started the second half in fine form and found scores easier to come by. The result was never in doubt. Shane Minton scored his side’s second goal from another Tannion delivery, while Niall Healy, with a third in the closing stages, wrapped up a convincing victory for the Tribesmen.
Medtronic are now through to the All-Ireland final where they play Kilkenny Teachers hoping to repeat last year’s exciting victory over another Kilkenny outfit, Dunreidy Engineering.
Medtronic: K Egan, M Dermody, A Coen, T Linnane, G Lally, E Noone (0-1 ) E Cleary, G Burke (0-1 ), M Corcoran (0-1 ), A Smyth (0-1 ), I Tannion (1-3 ), J Kilkenny, S Minton (1-1 ), K. Wade (0-5, frees ), J O Gorman. Subs used: N Healy (1-1 ), P McHugo.
