Galway make late strike extra special

Galway 2-20 Tipperary 2-16: A goal by Galway substitute Willie Donnellan at the death sent Saturday's All-Ireland under-21 hurling…

Galway 2-20 Tipperary 2-16: A goal by Galway substitute Willie Donnellan at the death sent Saturday's All-Ireland under-21 hurling semi-final at Cusack Park, Ennis, into extra-time, which ended in a four-point victory for Galway.

Tipperary will rue conceding Donnellan's goal so late, and it was evident during the 20 minutes of additional play that this score had an adverse effect on the players.

Tipperary started the better and led by 1-2 to 0-0 inside the first five minutes. It wasn't until the 12th minute that Galway registered their first point.

Ger Farragher, the game's top marksman, rifled a goal to belatedly get them off the starting blocks. He then added two points to level matters before the end of the first quarter.

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Galway went in front in the 20th minute with another Farragher score and Galway went in 1-9 to 1-5 ahead at the break.

Two Tipperary points early in the second half kept the sides close and even though Galway enjoyed a three-point lead by the 49th minute, a lucky goal brought the Munster champions back into contention.

Martin Maher's free from deep in his own half was added to in front of goal by John O'Brien to even the score at 2-9 each with 10 minutes remaining.

Tipperary upped a gear immediately and soon found themselves three points ahead with scores from Eoin Kelly, Tony Scroope and O'Brien.

Kelly and Galway's Farragher exchanged pointed frees before David Greene's injury-time point left two points between the sides.

Kelly again restored Tipperary's three-point lead, before Donnellan's leveller with the last puck of the game which sent the tie into extra-time on a 2-14 apiece scoreline

At the end of the first 10- minute period Galway lead by 2-17 to 2-16, and in the final 10 minutes tagged on three points to seal victory.

GALWAY: A Diviney; D Collins, T Óg Regan, F Moore (capt); David Hayes (0-1), S Kavanagh, A Cullinane (0-1); K Brady (0-1), B O'Mahony (0-1); R Murray (0-2), P Garvey, Damien Hayes; K Burke (0-1), G Farragher (1-10, six frees, one 65), D Greene (0-2). Subs: W Donnellan (1-0) for Garvey (43 mins); E Lynch for Kavanagh (46 mins); N Healy (0-1) for Burke (54 mins); S Kavanagh for Brady (55 mins); K Brady for O'Mahony (60 mins); B O'Mahony for Greene (75 mins).

TIPPERARY: V Doheny; E Buckley, J Devane, M Phelan; M Maher, D Fitzgerald, H Moloney; E Ryan, J Caesar (0-1); D Kennedy, F Devanney (0-1), P Buckley (1-0); E Kelly (capt, 0-10, seven frees, two 65s), J O'Brien (1-3), T Scroope (0-1). Subs: E Hanley for P Buckley (43 mins); A O'Neill for Kennedy (51 mins); C O'Mahoney for Caesar (54 mins); M Farrell for Devanney (70 mins ); T Minogue for O'Neill (75 mins).

Referee: P Horan (Offaly).