The Galway hurlers were beaten by 2-18 to 0-20 on Sunday in Semple Stadium in round two of the NHL.
It was Tipperary’s first win of the National hurling league and followed their heavy defeat to Dublin the previous weekend.
The home side led by 0-14 to 0-11 at half time and Eamon O’Shea’s men went on to lead by 10 points at one stage in the second half. However, Galway fought back to come within three points with a few minutes left on the clock.
It was two relatively soft goals just after half time from All Star John 'Bubbles' O' Dwyer and Seamus Callanan that did the damage to Anthony Cunningham's charges chances of collecting the two league points on offer.
Those goals put Tipperary 2-15 to 0-10 ahead and it looked game over for Galway.
Iarla Tannian and Joseph Cooney hit a few scores to help rein in the 2010 All-Ireland champions, but they were not able to bridge the gap.
Galway manager Anthony Cunningham was frustrated with the concession of the two goals just after half time.
“It was a great fight back in the second half. Great performances in parts, but we would be very disappointed with giving away two soft goals just after half time. That can’t happen. However, we have to take the improvement points and move on.”
Cunningham also felt his team lacked composure at different stages of the game which is something they will need to fix ahead of their March 8 clash with Kilkenny at Pearse Stadium.
“As a young team, young players, they have to be learning and improving all the time. You have to be more in control, have the ball in front of goals and not to panic or rush.
“We panicked a bit at times and we are going to meet top-class opposition like Tipperary every day. You are going to get your chances and when you get those chances, you have to be cool under pressure.”
Galway: C Callanan; J Coen, J Hanbury, P Mannion; G McInerney, D Collins, I Tannian (0-01 ); J Cooney (0-03 ), A Smith (0-01f ); P Brehony (0-02 ), C Mannion (0-03 ), D Higgins (0-01 ); J Regan (0-02 ), J Flynn (0-04 ), J Glynn (0-01 ). Subs: K Hynes for Brehony (43 ), G Lally for Higgins (47 ), B Molloy (0-01 ) for Regan (52 ), A Harte for Flynn (69 ).
