Galway corner forward Paul Coen was the hero for his side when he scored a last-minute goal to secure victory in this All-Ireland Vocational Schools' hurling final replay at Birr.

Close on full time Galway led Tipperary by a point, and Coen made victory certain when his late effort looped over Tipperary goalkeeper Conor O'Donnell.

Galway really should have wrapped up the honours earlier, but they wasted some good chances. They had 14 wides over the hour. A sideline cut sent in by Galway's John Paul Connell was steered to the net by Richard Murray for Galway's first goal. They added on points from Sean Dolan and one each from corner forwards Benny Lawless and Paul Coen.

Tipperary stayed battling in the second half and the teams were level on three occasions - in the 31st, 47th and 53rd minutes.

In the closing four minutes Cathal Coen arrowed over a free which pushed Galway ahead and on full time they got their telling second goal which arced beyond Tipperary goalkeeper to finally settle the outcome.

Galway: C Callanan; I Daniels, M Coughlan, J Mullins; S Dolan (0-1), C Dervan, B Mahon; D Forde, S Burke; C Coen (0-5, four frees), R Murray (1-2); K Callanan; P Coen (1- 1), JP Connell, P Lawless (0-1). Sub: K Burke for B Lawless, 45 mins.

Tipperary: C O'Donnell; N O'Grady, S Quirke, G Egan; J Brady, P Curran, D Maher; T Slevin (0-7, six frees), E Larkin (0-1); D Shelley (0-1), D Gleeson (0-1), N O'Dwyer; M Cordial, D Fitzgerald, T Doyle (0-2). Subs: R Tynan for N O'Dwyer (after 43 mins).

Referee: P Delaney (Laois).