Galway reach All-Ireland final

Galway qualified for their first All-Ireland hurling final since 2005 after defeating Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork side in today’s semi-final.

Galway won the match in Croke Park by 22points to 17 this afternoon.

In a pulsating encounter the Tribesmen didn’t reach the intensity that they did five weeks ago when they beat Kilkenny in the Leinster final.

A tight first-half meant that the sides headed into the break at one point apiece with both of the sides, revitalised this year, matched each other point-for-point.

Joe Canning registered 11 points in a virtuoso performance that certainly separated the two sides in the end, although Pat Horgan’s 7points also indicates that both he and Cork will have many late summers in the Championship in years to come.

The second have was end-to-end, Cannings expertise from the dead ball ensured that Galway widened the gap in the last ten minutes as Cork put a few shots wide.

Galway held on for the victory, and they'll now face the winners of the rematch of last year’s finalists Tipperary and Kilkenny who face each other next Sunday.

The victory meant a lot to Galway and Joe Canning looked very emotional and tearful when the final whistle was blown.

Whoever comes out of the other semi-final encounter will have a big task ahead of them as this Galway side have looked like men on a mission this summer with wins over Kilkenny and Cork, they won’t fear anyone in the final.