Galway advanced as table toppers in Group 4, with nine points separating them and Tipperary in a weather affected Templetuohy.

Tipp began life in the Senior Championship with a defeat, now needing a result over Cork to see them advance, their losing streak continues, while Galway can now plan for the knockout stages.

Goals from Tracey Leonard, Lynsey Noone, Louise Ward and Kate Slevin, aided their fight as Tipperary struggled to take their points but did find the net three times this afternoon.

Aisling Moloney netted their first goal after two minutes to give them a three point lead, two Tracey Leonard points followed by Roisin Leonard kicking over the black spot, tied the game after 11 minutes.

The Tribeswomen were ahead after Leanne Coen struck a point at the end of the opening quarter, but Angela McGuigan hit her side's second goal two minutes later to put Tipp back ahead.

It was raining at the Tipperary venue, despite the elements, it was also raining goals, Tracey Leonard less than sixty seconds later, fired a shot into the Tipperary net, 1-4 to 2-0 after 18 minutes.

Ailbhe Davoren and Olivia Divilly pointed to make it a three point game, before Emma Morrisset kicked the first point for Tipp after 26 minutes, but Roisin Leonard cancelled it out to point a minute later for a 1-7 to 2-1 lead at the break.

Morrissey looked to get some early momentum going for the Premier County with an early second half point, but Lynsey Noone found the net after 38 minutes, Galway’s second goal and with it a five point lead.

It was three for Morrisey off a free, but quick goals from Louise Ward and Kate Slevin, had Galway ahead 4-7 to 2-3, Aisling Moloney fired home her second goal, before a point left seven between them in the final minutes.

That was the final act of scoring for the hosts, with Eva Noone and Divilly pointing in the final minutes to cap another fine win for Galway, the Connacht Finalists hoping for some silverware this summer.

Nicole Owens hit 1-2 as Dublin qualified for the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-finals following their win over Tipperary at Templetuohy.

BY AISLING CLERY

Dublin were three ahead, thanks to Owens’ goal in the opening half, and while they found the stringent Tipperary defence difficult to deal with, their patience and dominance in possession ensured victory.

Dublin were on top in the opening half but scores were at a premium. The game’s opening point came through a Carla Rowe free on five minutes before an Emma Morrissey free levelled the scoreboard.

Owens added her third goal in two games on eight minutes when she dispossessed the Tipperary defence and broke through to go one-on-one with Lauren Fitzpatrick, the St Sylvesters player made no mistake with her finish.

12 minutes passed before Niamh Hetherton pushed Dublin into a five-point lead with her first score. The Leinster champions should have been further ahead, Rowe’s goal effort was their best chance but it was turned around the post by Fitzpatrick. Jennifer Dunne and Owens also saw their efforts go wide.

Tipperary ended the half strongly and an Angela McGuigan point on 28 minutes reduced the gap to four. They also added a free from Morrissey to leave three between the sides at half-time.

On the resumption, Jodi Egan swapped points with Morrissey before Hetherton pushed the gap to four with her second score. Tipperary continued to press and were rewarded with points from Clara English and Sarah Ryan to make it a two-point game

.As both teams made their changes, the introduction of Hannah Tyrrell proved fruitful as her free from distance extended the Dublin lead. And despite Tipperary’s dominance of the third quarter, Dublin finished strongly. Owens hit her second point from play to push the lead to five.

In the final five minutes, Dublin hit a flurry of scores to seal it; Siobhan Woods, Tyrrell, Natalia Hyland and Hetherton all scored to secure Dublin’s place in the knockout stages with a big game against Mayo looming.