Farragher’s goal helps give Galway the edge over Tipperary

Tipperary were poised to become the latest side to inflict an All-Ireland SFC qualifier defeat on Galway when they trailed by just a point at the interval at Pearse Stadium having played against the strong wind.

Indeed, Peter Creedon’s charges would have been in front had they not shot seven wides in the opening half.

But Tipp could not build on that impressive first-half showing and instead it was Galway, without a qualifier win since 2004, who took control and opened an eight-point lead.

“We were well in the game at half-time, could have been ahead at that stage and we are disappointed in the second half that we didn’t push on that advantage . . . ,” said Creedon.

The sides exchanged points five times in the opening half before man of the match Sean Armstrong edged Galway 0-6 to 0-5 in front at the interval.

Galway were in trouble and another qualifier disaster looked like unfolding but Mark Hehir and Armstrong pointed after the restart and then debutant Michael Farragher finished from close range after a high ball from the hard-working Danny Cummins fell kindly for him.

Galway manager Alan Mulholland was a relieved man to see that score go in.

“We had threatened once or twice in the first-half but it was a game where a goal was always going to be a major score and we were lucky enough to get it.

“The last six weeks were hard for everybody, coming off that record defeat to Mayo wasn’t easy.

“But I would like to pay tribute to the players, in particular, and all the management team, nothing could be asked of them for the last six weeks. . . It is one small step but at least we are in the bowl on Monday,” said Mulholland.

GALWAY: M Breathnach; C Forde, F Hanley, K Kelly; C Doherty, G O'Donnell, G Sice; P Conroy, G Higgins; J O'Brien; S Armstrong (0-5, 0-1 free), M Farragher (1-1); M Hehir (0-1), M Meehan (0-2, 0-1 free), D Cummins (0-3). Subs: T Flynn for Higgins (50 mins), S Walsh for O'Brien (54 mins), M Martin for Meehan (60 mins), F O Curraoin for Farragher (61 mins), D O'Neill for Sice (64 mins).
TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, P Codd, J Coghlan; B Fox (0-1), D Lynch, D Leahy; H Coghlan (0-1), S O'Brien (0-1); L Egan, P Acheson, I Fahey; C Sweeney (0-6, 0-3 frees), P Quirke, G Hannigan. Subs: B Mulvihill for Lynch (49 mins), B O'Brien (0-2) for Fahey (56 mins), A Matassa for S O'Brien (60 mins).
Referee: P O'Sullivan (Kerry).