The countdown is on for Galway's superb midfielder and captain Ger Farragher. The Castlegar youth is only one match away from emulating Jimmy Doyle's three All-Ireland minor hurling championship medals following Galway's easier than expected semi-final win over an off-form Tipperary team on a greasy Croke Park surface yesterday.

"I won't be thinking about that until the final whistle goes against either Kilkenny or Cork in next month's final," said Farragher afterwards. And he was as quick to compliment Tipperary as he was to the ball during a match that threatened to be one sided because of the control the composed Galway boys asserted from the throw-in. "They are a young team, and should be there again next year."

Galway were leading by 1-4 to 0-2 after 17 minutes but it could have been a bigger lead had the western standard bearers not hit six early wides, including a gilt-edged goal chance.

Tipperary , with Pat Shortt providing most of the inspiration, then drilled home a goal by Trevor Ivors and a rapid follow-up point from David Morrissey to leave only two points between the sides. Galway's best score by this stage was a point off a side-line cut by Farragher.

"Their goal rocked us," admitted Galway manager Josie Harte.

But the fact that Tipperary had to make so many switches - Shortt to midfield from right wing forward was the best of them - suggested an unsettled team and so it proved. Shortt was unlucky to see a well-struck free blocked down on the line in the second half when his side needed a boost.

Yet, Tipperary were in with a shout at the half-way stage, trailing by only one point, 1-5 to 1-4. The Tipperary scoring rate, however, decreased 17 minutes into the second half, Shortt's two pointed frees and a point from David Kennedy being their only second-half scores. "They were far away physically stronger than us," said Tipperary manager Paddy McCormack. However, he was convinced his team did not perform to full potential: "We are much better than that," he said.

Galway full forward Ken Burke opened his shoulders to crack home 2-3 in the second half but, well in line for man of the match was Galway left half forward Adrian Callanan, who put 1-3 on the scoreboard besides laying off chances for others. Wing back Eoin Lynch and centre back Shane Kavanagh were other Galway stars.

GALWAY - P Dullaghan; C Dervan, T ╙g Regan, C Finnerty; E Lynch, S Kavanagh, J O'Leary; T Tierney, G Farragher (0-5, four frees and side-line cut); B Lucas, K Hayes, A Callanan (1-3); J Gantley, K Burke (2-3), J Maher (0-1). Subs: A Smith (0-1) for Tierney 49 mins; N Healy for J Gantley 53 mins; K Briscoe for O'Leary 58 mins; D Collins for Kavanagh 58 mins.

TIPPERARY - P McCormack; D Corcoran, P Buckley, G Griffin; D Walton, D Fitzgerald, S Sweeney; J Caesar, C O'Mahoney; P Shortt (0-5, four frees), D Kennedy (0-1), D Morrissey (0-1), D Kennedy, F Devanney, T Ivors (1-0). Subs: H Maloney for Corcoran 23 mins; D McKeogh for Caesar 42 mins; J Kennedy for Sweeney 53 mins; M Farrell for Devanney 58 mins.

Referee: J Sexton (Limerick).