Despite losing their first three group games, Tipperary managed to see off Offaly on a dramatic final day to set up a Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Championship Quarter-Final clash with Group 1 runners-up Galway.
Tipperary started their campaign with a defeat to Cork who eventually topped the group with a 100% record. Tipp followed this with an agonising 1 point defeat to Neighbours Limerick and then lost out to a strong Wexford side by 5 points in Wexford Park.
Speaking at last week’s Quarter-Finals photocall in Croke Park, Tipperary captain Mary Ryan said, “The last day going out I think everyone was still fighting for a qualification place and we knew we needed to get a big performance and a big win and to come away with the win was huge”.
Tipp eventually saw off an impressive Offaly side in Birr on a scoreline of 3-13 to 2-13 with every score being significant as both sides finished level on 3 points but it was Tipp who had the better scoring difference by a single point over Offaly. This crucial victory meant Tipp leapfrogged Limerick and Offaly to snatch third place and advance to the Quarter-Final stage.
Tipperary will now face Galway and captain Ryan spoke about the challenge ahead. “They had a very strong championship campaign but look we’ve got a bit of confidence after last weekend and it’s a case of trying to build on that and get the performance against Galway next weekend”.
The Premier County are improving game by game and slowly building momentum. Manager Brian Boyle will be hoping his side can continue to improve on Saturday and put in a big performance in front of a home crowd in Thurles.
Tipperary face Galway on Saturday 5th August in Semple Stadium as part of a Quarter-Final Double-Header in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Championship with Dublin facing Wexford in the other clash.
Saturday August 5th
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Quarter Final
Galway v Tipperary
Semple Stadium, Thurles
Throw-in: 7.00pm
Referee: Owen Elliot (Antrim)
Live on RTÉ
Ticket Prices:
Adult: €10
Students/OAPs: €5
Juvenile (U18s): Free
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