Rock solid Sinead Keane of Galway proved to be the difference between Galway and Tipperary as the Tribeswomen won their first ever All-Ireland Intermediate championship title 1-10 to Tipperary’s 0-4 in Semple Stadium on Saturday 2nd October.Playing against a stiff opening first half wind Galway had to wait until three minutes before the break to register their opening point but after that they found their shooting boots. In contrast Tipperary’s three first half scores were frees from Eimear Ryan while the Premier county who tasted defeat at this stage for the last two years were hoping to make it title number having won their first in 1997.

While, Tipperary headed into to the break leading 0-3 to Galway’s 0-1 one sensed that they possibly said good bye having survived a late Galway challenge for goals just before the interval.

But, Galway who are making great strides to reach the glory days of 1996 again sprung fast into action by the fourth minute of the second half when Caroline Kelly sent over the first of three second half points. Despite Tipperary’s rapid fire point from Ger Kinnane which left the sides level at 0-4 each it proved to be the Premier county’s final score.Wind advantage and smart changes in the second half is what possibly won this game for Galway. Even the first half introduction of senior All-Ireland medallist Jill Horan to midfield did not lift the Tipperary spirits.

With player of the match Sinéad Keane in top form at left half back, Tipperary could not get past her and so it turned to Galway’s day at the races as they added a further four points before their all important goal came. It started with the great Susan Keane who found Brenda Hanney right on queue to fire home the only goal of the match with just three minutes remaining. The Galway sideline knew the Corn Ui Phuirséil was heading across the Shannon for the first time.

Galway: S Earner; C Moran, S Cahalan, L Flynn; R OConnor, R Glynn, S Keane; C Glennon, L Lally; B Kerins, B Hanney, A Lynskey; C Kelly, AM Hayes, E Kilkelly. Subs; C Bowes for Kerins; S Keane for E Kilkelly; M Flanagan for C Kelly.

Tipperary: S O’Brien; D McDonnell, H Breen, M Looby; M Corcoran, J Kirwan, M Shortt; M Luttrell, J Delaney, G Kinnane; E Ryan, J O’Connor; M Ryan, S Ryan, D Ryan. Subs; J Horan for M Luttrell, C Hennessy for J O’Connor; C Johnston for S Ryan.

Monday, September 06, 2004

Ann Marie Hayes was the Galway hero with a hat-trick of goals as the Tribeswomen overcame Cork, 4-08 to 0-7 in the All-Ireland semi-final in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe.

Favorites Galway struck gold within the opening minute when Hayes scored her first of three goals. Not rocked by this Cork’s Miriam Deasy responded with a point, but alas the Rebels only managed three further points in the opening half from Val O’Keeffe and Anna Geary (2). Instead Galway who have not won the Intermediate title stamped their authority on the game and when Hayes sent her second sliotar to the net midway it gave the Connacht side a comfortable 2-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.

The inform Hayes, sister to senior hurler David, sent over the opening point of the second half within the minute, but then the Rebels hit their best patch with three points in a row from Miriam Murphy, Marie O’Connell and Emer O’Farrell. However, Galway were not found wanting and a third goal from Brenda Kearins with the fourth goal of the game seven minutes later meant Galway would be in the All-Ireland final on October 3rd.

Their opponents in the final will be Tipperary who easily overcame Antrim 2-15 to 1-5 in the second semi-final in Portglenone. Emer Ryan was on the right spot to bury home Tipperary’s opening goal of the match after just six minutes, and from then on there was never any doubt about the outcome of the match result.

There was a glimmer of hope for the Saffrons when just before the break Sarah Jane Mc Guigan picked up a fine pass from Bernie Letters to leave it, Tipperary 1-8 to Antrim’s 1-2 at the break. A second Premier goal almost midway from Jackie O’Connor and the Blue and Gold were through to their second All-Ireland final in a row.

Galway: S Earner; C Moran, S Cahalan, L Flynn;N Gavin R O’Connor, R Glynn; C Glennon L Lally; B Kearins, B Hanny,A Lynskey; C Kelly, AM Hayes, E Kilkelly.
Scorers: 4-8: AM Hayes 3-3, B Kearins 1-0, E Kilkelly 0-3, B Hanny, S Keane 0-1 each.

Cork: C Harrington; K Hickey, J Browne, A O’Regan; N Bowles, S Dowling, M O’Connell; S Burns, VO’Keeffe, E O’Farrell, L Bugler, A Geary; M Murphy, M Deasy, E O’Farrell.
Scorers: 0-7: A Geary, M Deasy 0-2 each, V O’Keeffe, M O’Connell, E O’Farrell 0-1 each.