Galway–Tipperary hurling rivalry

The Galway–Tipperary fixture is presently regarded as one of the biggest matches of the hurling calendar. Tipperary are the second-best team in the Munster Championship while Galway have 4 All-Ireland Senior hurling titles. There is no present Connacht Championship.

Roots

History

This Tipperary and Galway rivalry started very late on due to Galway not performing in the Senior championship. The rivalry kicked into gear in the 1980s, when Galway came to force. In 1980, when Galway won their first All Ireland title since 1923, Tipperary were still in the Senior hurling dolrums. The two counties had done battle a few times, but from 1887 till 1986, Galway had only won one encounter. But in the 80's, Galway took control. These battles at the time (87-93) were ferocious. Even Present managers Cyril Farrell (Galway) and Michael 'Babs' Keating (Tipperary) got involved. Between 1959 and 1969, Galway played in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship. Seeing as there was no credible Hurling team in Connacht, Galway automatically entered the All-Ireland Semi final or into the first round of the Qualifiers after that system was introduced. Galway now play in Leinster for a three year trial period. These teams met each other in the first ever All-Ireland Senior hurling final in 1887 (though played in 1888)

Statistics

All time results

See also

• Tipperary GAA
• Galway GAA
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship
• Connacht Senior Hurling Championship
• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship