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Three disallowed goals. John McGrath red-carded. Five points behind with 20 minutes to go.
Noel McGrath and his teammates showed tremendous heart and are now one win away from a Liam MacCarthy.
When Lee Chin stepped up and blazed a low strike past Brian Hogan, on 49 minutes, 14-man Tipperary were 2-18 to 1-16 behind.
Wexford then conceded five straight points before, after a 10-minute scoring drought, Conor McDonald responded to score his second goal of the game. Liam Sheedy’s men were three behind again, but again they rallied.
In the final 10 minutes, Tipperary floored the accelerator and died not lift it until Sean Cleere had blown the full time whistle. Tipp had battled adversity, a revved up Wexford side and some questionable calls to win by two points and reach another All-Ireland final.
Following the game, Tipperary’s Noel McGrath spoke to RTE about what it took to reach the final:
“It’s right up there. I don’t really have words to describe it today. What’s after going on there for 70 or 75 minutes is unbelievable.
“We were backs to the wall there for the last 20, 25 minutes. Tipperary have been questioned, coming up here, about what they can and can’t do. I don’t think any words can describe what has happened there.
“Anyone looking for answers got them today.”
A breathless McGrath said his Tipperary teammates would ‘regroup and refresh’ and focus on facing Kilkenny in the final, in three weeks, after first enjoying the semi triumph this evening.
“Look at this here today. This is why you train and this is why you play. That was some occasion and to be part of it is unbelievable, and to be coming out on the right side is even better.”
'Tipperary have been questioned. Anyone looking for answers got them today' – Man of the match Noel McGrath after an epic clash with Wexford. #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/I2EOSEoxXn
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 28, 2019
Fans that were lucky enough to get along to Croke Park today, and those that were glued to the TVs across the country and further afield, will long remember this instant classic.
Hurling is a special sport.
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