Galway V Tipp League Report
This analysis compares the performance of Tipperary against Galway in the NHL Group 2025 match.
Final Score-Tipperary 3-25 Galway 2-16
Venue Pearse Stadium
Conditions Mild
Date: 11/2/25
Report Summary
Source by Score Zone
Heatmaps of Puckouts
Scores Per half
Predominate Striking Sides
Top Players
Shot locations
Expected points v Actual points (Galway/Tipp Top 6 Players)
First Half Summary
Tipperary took early control, leading 1-13 to 0-9 at halftime.
Galway’s inside forwards Conor Whelan & Liam Collins were well-marshalled.
Darragh McCarthy’s penalty gave Tipp an edge after a controversial foul on Walsh.
Galway keeper Éanna Murphy went short on puckouts, but turnovers cost them.
Tipp’s midfield dominance resulted in a late scoring burst before halftime.
Below is Sources of Scores Zones
Hurling Game of Turnovers
Hurling: A Game of Turnovers
The numbers highlight that hurling is fundamentally a game of turnovers, with an average of 56% of possession being turned over. The data reinforces the significance of the middle third as a battleground, where a total of 27 turnovers occurred.
Tipperary’s performance, as reflected in the scoreline, was superior in several key areas:
A more effective puckout strategy
Better ball retention inside the opposition half
A greater spread of scorers and assists, showcasing superior team play
More efficient ball usage compared to Galway
These factors contributed to Tipperary’s overall dominance in the match.
Galway Puckout Heatmap
Tipperary allowed Galway to take short puckouts, providing them with initial possession. However, Galway struggled to capitalize on long puckouts, especially on the left side of the pitch, where they gained minimal return. The data highlights the effectiveness of Tipp’s defensive setup in disrupting Galway’s longer restart strategies.
Tipperary Puckout Heatmap
This heatmap illustrates the distribution of Tipperary’s puckouts throughout the match. A significant portion of their restarts were directed down the right-hand side of the pitch, indicating a clear tactical preference in their puckout strategy.
Bar chart comparing striking side usage by Galway players
Bar chart comparing striking side usage by Tipperary players
Break-down First and Second Half Scores
Top 5 Tipp players(Assists & Scores) good spread of scorers in the Tipp forwards
With Four Tipp forwards scoring 3+ points, with D McCarthy, Jake Morris and G O’Connor with high numbers in both assists and scores.
Top 5 Galway Players (Assists & Scores)
Galway’s top performers in terms of assists and scores highlight key contributors in attack. However, the data suggests a need for a greater spread of scorers, particularly in the middle third and inside forward line. Galway’s forwards struggled to create, assist, and convert opportunities, placing extra pressure on a limited number of key players to deliver scores.
A more balanced attacking approach will be necessary to improve their attacking effectiveness.
Tipperary Turnovers
Tipperary’s forwards forced four turnovers inside Galway’s ’45, showcasing their intense pressure on the opposition’s defense. Their superior work rate compared to Galway was evident, as they capitalized on these turnovers to score 1-3 inside the opponent’s defensive zone.
This aggressive pressing game played a crucial role in Tipp’s success, turning defensive pressure into scoring opportunities.
Galway Turnovers
Galway’s forwards failed to force any turnovers inside Tipperary’s ’45, highlighting a lack of defensive pressure in the opposition’s defensive third. Their inability to disrupt Tipp’s build-up play allowed the Tipperary backs to dictate possession, transition smoothly, and advance into Galway’s half with ease.
A higher work rate and intensity from Galway’s forward unit is needed to prevent Tipp from gaining control and launching attacking plays unchallenged.Galway Turnovers
Galway forwards failed to turn over the Tipp backs inside their own ’45
Galway forwards not working hard enough to stop Tipp backs from building play and gaining entry to Galway’s half of field.
Tipp Players Summary
| Player | Shots | Passes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | |
| Andy Ormond | 4 | 0 |
| Brian McGrath | 0 | 0 |
| Bryan O Mara | 1 | 0 |
| Conor Bowe | 0 | 0 |
| Conor Martin | 0 | 0 |
| Craig Morgan | 2 | 0 |
| Darragh McCarthy | 10 | 0 |
| Dylan Walsh | 6 | 0 |
| Eoghan Connolly | 3 | 0 |
| Gearoid O Connor | 3 | 0 |
| Jake Morris | 5 | 0 |
| Michael Breen | 0 | 0 |
| Robert Doyle | 1 | 0 |
| Ronan Maher | 1 | 0 |
| Sam O Farrell | 4 | 0 |
| Seamus Kennedy | 1 | 0 |
| Willie Connors | 3 | 0 |
| Jason Forde | 5 | 7 |
| Noel McGrath | 3 | 6 |
| Séamus Callanan | 4 | 8 |
Galway Players Summary
| Player | Shots | Passes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | |
| Cianan Fahy | 2 | 0 |
| Cillian Whelan | 0 | 0 |
| Conor Whelan | 4 | 0 |
| Declan McLoughlin | 3 | 0 |
| Donal O Se | 1 | 0 |
| Fintan Burke | 0 | 0 |
| Jack Grealish | 0 | 0 |
| John Fleming | 1 | 0 |
| Kevin Cooney | 4 | 0 |
| Liam Collins | 2 | 0 |
| Michael Garvey | 0 | 0 |
| Oisin Lohan | 4 | 0 |
| Rory Burke | 8 | 0 |
| Sean Murphy | 0 | 0 |
| Shane Cooney | 0 | 0 |
| Shane Morgan | 0 | 0 |
| TJ Brennan | 1 | 0 |
| Tom Monaghan | 3 | 0 |
| Conor Whelan | 3 | 6 |
| Evan Niland | 4 | 5 |
| Daithí Burke | 2 | 7 |
Tipperary Expected Points by Hurler.
Tipperary’s top 3 performers below D.McCarthy, G O’Connor and D Walsh have high numbers interms of assists and scores from play and frees. A bar chart comparing actual points scored by the top 6 Tipp players versus their expected points. Players to the right of the y-axis have outperformed expectations, while those to the left have underperformed.
Galway Expected Points by Player
This bar chart illustrates the expected points (xP) performance of each Galway player. Players positioned to the right of the y-axis have exceeded expectations, scoring more than anticipated, while those to the left have underperformed, failing to convert their expected scoring chances.
Shooter Performance vs Expected Points
A scatter plot comparing actual points scored by the top 6 Galway players versus their expected points. The total is very low with Rory Burke leading at 4.0 points.
Shooter Performance vs Expected Points
A scatter plot comparing actual points scored by the top 6 Tipperary players versus their expected points. D McCarthy leading the way with Actual (9.0) points v Expected(7.5) points
- Second Half Summary
Rhys Shelly’s long deliveries led to two Tipp goals, with Gearóid O’Connor tapping in one.
Ronan Maher’s assist to Dylan Walsh resulted in a third Tipperary goal, extending their lead to 16 points.
Galway collapsed defensively, struggling to retain possession.
Late goals from substitutes John Fleming & Declan McLoughlin made the scoreline more respectable.
Final Thoughts
Galway lacked structure and struggled to handle Tipp’s pressure.
Tipperary’s midfield and delivery strategy overwhelmed Galway’s new-look defense.
Michael Breen & Ronan Maher led Tipp’s defense, keeping Whelan & Collins quiet.
Micheál Donoghue has a lot of work to do to rebuild Galway’s cohesion.
Liam Cahill’s in his third year as manager, Liam Cahill has laid strong foundations for future performances. Tipperary displayed energy, cohesion, and tactical clarity, reflecting a well-structured and disciplined approach. The team’s intensity and unity suggest progress in year three.
Tipperary Starting XV:
Position Player Goalkeeper Rhys Shelly Right Corner Back Eoghan Connolly Full Back Michael Breen Left Corner Back Michael Corcoran Right Half Back Sam O’Farrell Centre Back Ronan Maher (Captain) Left Half Back Brian McGrath Midfield Willie Connors Midfield Craig Morgan Right Half Forward Alan Tynan Centre Forward Andy Ormond Left Half Forward Gearoid O’Connor Right Corner Forward Darragh McCarthy Full Forward Jake Morris Left Corner Forward Dylan Walsh Galway Starting XV:
Position Player Goalkeeper Éanna Murphy Right Corner Back Jack Grealish Full Back Fintan Burke Left Corner Back Seán Murphy Right Half Back Michael Garvey Centre Back Shane Cooney Left Half Back TJ Brennan Midfield Cianan Fahy Midfield Donal Ó’Shea Right Half Forward Rory Burke Centre Forward Tom Monaghan Left Half Forward Oisín Lohan Right Corner Forward Liam Collins Full Forward Conor Whelan Left Corner Forward Kevin Cooney GALWAY Subs: J Fleming for O’Shea, C. Whelan for Garvey (both 47); D. McLoughlin for Cooney (53); S. Morgan for Cooney (55); A. Burns for Collins (68).
TIPPERARY Subs: R. Doyle for Corcoran (half-time); C. Bowe for Ormond (52); S. Kennedy for Doyle (53-56, temp); J. Fogarty for Tynan (55); S. Kennedy for McGrath (59);C. Martin for O’Connor (65).
Final Verdict: Tipperary ruthless, Galway exposed.