Moloney the hero as galway pip tipp in classic semifinal

By Noel Carney
At Croke Park

THIS was a game for the ages. A marvellous, action-packed feast of hurling that thrilled the 58,000-plus crowd at Croke Park from the breath-taking opening seconds to the dramatic finale and at the end of it all a heroic Galway snatched an unforgettable victory.
To do so they had to summon up one of the best ever performances from a Galway team in modern times to finally wear down a gallant Tipperary side that contributed hugely to what was easily the game of the year.
It was also, thankfully, a very sporting though tigerishly fought, rip-roaring contest that will be remembered for all the right reasons. Both teams, to their credit, threw caution to the winds, ignored the sweeper systems and went toe-to-toe throughout.
It also had emotion of a different kind when Tipperary’s Noel McGrath went on as a sub to a moving ovation from both sets of supporters after recovering from serious illness.

Read more and see action photos and those of supporters in this week's edition.