BARRY KEANE landed nine points as Galway edged out Tipperary in the All-Ireland Vocational Schools senior hurling semi-final by 0-17 to 1-11.
Tipperary led 0-9 to 0-5 at half-time, but Galway hit 10 consecutive points in the second half to qualify for Saturday’s final.
Tipperary bossed the opening exchanges, with Mark McCarthy and Paul Flynn causing problems, and but for a fine save from Peter Whelan in the 20th minute, Tipp could have been out of sight.
But after half-time Galway found their groove, with Athenry’s Keane landing nine points – including two fine scores from play late on – and Darragh Burke commanding at centre back. Shane Dooley goaled from a 21-metre free late on to pull Tipp within two points, but substitute Brian Dolan made sure of the win with a point in injury-time.
Galway will meet Kilkenny in the final after they beat Limerick Vocational Schools 3-12 to 1-12 at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale. Cathal Martin was the star man for the Cats, registering 1-5, including a vital second-half goal.
