Cork throughly deserved their win but Tipperary will wonder where it all went wrong. Training had been going extremely well in recent weeks and the camp were confident but during the game it was easy to see that there was a spark missing, the team just wasn’t their usual selves and Cork capitalised. For Liam Kearns’ men they now await Monday’s qualifier draw to see who they’ll be playing next.
Liam McGrath and Kevin Crowley battle for possession
Early on it looked as this was going to be a rip roaring affair with the sides deadlocked at 0-3 apiece but then the Rebels exploded into life scoring 1-5 to Tipperary’s 0-1 during the remainder of the half.
Tipperary’s points came from Michael Quinlivan, Jack Kennedy and two from Liam McGrath. Tipperary did create two goalscoring chances during the opening half and had they been scored this game would have taken a completely different direction. Full-forward Michael Quinlivan bore down on goal and his shot was blocked with a neat save by Mark White in the 12th minute. Seven minutes late Quinlivan found Liam Casey with an exquisite pass but the Cahir man’s effort was, once again, superbly saved by Mark White.
Cork created chances of their own and Aidan Walsh appeared to be certain to goal until team captain Robbie Kiely got in for an amazing dispossession. Approaching half-time Colm O’ Neill blasted home the game’s only three pointer and gave his side a comfortable cushion heading into the break.
Robbie Kiely about to dispose Aidan Walsh
Tipperary needed to make quick inroads onto the scoreboard upon the resumption but it was the visitors who got three early second-half points through Luke Connolly (2) and Mark Collins as the game slipped away from Liam Kearns’ men.
Indeed it took fifteen minutes for Tipperary to register their opening score of the second-half, a pointed Liam McGrath free. This saw Tipperary’s best period of the game as Liam Boland, Liam McGrath (2) and half-time substitute Philip Austin kick over points to reduce the gap to 0-9 to 1-11 and the home crowd started to sense something might be on but Cork however were not in generous form.
The Rebels closed out the game with a string of points from Luke Connolly (2), Paul Kerrigan (2), Mark Collins and Brian Hurley to leave it 0-9 to 1-17 at full time.
Tipperary: Evan Comerford, Shane O’Connell, Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Jimmy Feehan, Robbie Kiely (Captain), Bill Maher, Liam Casey, Steven O’Brien, Josh Keane, Jack Kennedy (0-1), Brian Fox, Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan (0-1), Liam McGrath (0-5).
Substitutes: Philip Austin (0-1) for Feehan, Kevin Fahey for Kiely, Liam Boland (0-1) for Casey, Jason Lonergan for Keane, Kevin O’ Halloran for Sweeney.
Cork: Mark White, Kevin Crowley, Jamie O’Sullivan, Kevin Flahive, Seán White (0-1), Stephen Cronin, Tomás Clancy, Aidan Walsh, Ian Maguire, Kevin O’Driscoll, Mark Collins (0-3), Ruairí Deane, John O’Rourke, Colm O’Neill (1-0), Luke Connolly (0-10).
Substitutions: Brian Hurley (0-1) for O’Neill, Ronan O’Toole for O’Driscoll, Peter Kelleher for Walsh, Paul Kerrigan (0-2) for O’ Rourke, James Loughrey for White, Mathew Taylor for Clancy.
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).
Evan Comerford and Shane O’ Connell thwart a Cork attack
This will be the third meeting between the sides in as many years at the semi-final stage and with little separating the sides in the previous two encounters tomorrow’s game promises to be another rip roaring affair. Tipperary prevailed in the 2016 affair, 3-15 to 2-16, while Cork emerged victorious last year 1-9 to 1-10.
Support Matters
Both Liam Kearns and Tipperary Football Committee chairperson Barry O’ Brien have appealed for the Tipperary GAA public to come out in force on Saturday and make Semple Stadium a Premier fortress.
“The odds are stacked against us and we could do with all the support we can get. I ask as many Tipperary supporters as possible to turn up for the match and make as much noise as you can. The players have put in a huge effort and your support could be vital in determining the result of the match, you could be the difference and give us that little extra edge that we need.” – Liam Kearns
“This game is one of the most important that Tipperary football has played in a long time with the winners being not only assured of a Munster final place but are also one step away from the Super Eights. We appeal to as many Tipperary GAA supporters as possible to come to Semple Stadium on Saturday evening, bring all the colour you can and make as much noise as possible. The players have put in a monumental effort, not just in 2018 but over the last decade or so, to improve our standing in Gaelic football and they truly deserve massive support.” – Barry O’ Brien
The starting fifteen is as follows:
1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
2. Shane O’Connell – Golden-Kilfeacle
3. John Meagher – Loughmore-Castleiney
4. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
5. Bill Maher – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
6. Robbie Kiely (Capt.) – Carbery Rangers
7. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
8. Liam Casey – Cahir
9. Jack Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
10. Josh Keane – Golden-Kilfeacle
11. Kevin O’Halloran – Portroe
12. Brian Fox – Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
13. Liam Boland – Moyle Rovers
14. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
15. Liam McGrath – Loughmore-Castleiney
Subs
16. Ciarán Kenrick – Moyle Rovers
17. Conor Sweeney – Ballyporeen
18. Steven O’Brien – Ballina
19. Kevin Fahey – Clonmel Commercials
20. Paddy Codd – Killenaule
21. George Hannigan – Shannon Rovers
22. Philip Austin – Borrisokane
23. Jason Lonergan – Clonmel Commercials
24. Colm O’Shaughnessy – Ardfinnan
25. Luke Boland – Moyle Rovers
26. David McGrath – Moyle Rovers
Cork manager, Ronan McCarthy, has also announced his starting team:
1. Mark White (Clonakilty)
2. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
3. Jamie O Sullivan (Bishopstown)
4. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
5. Sean White (Clonakilty)
6. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
7. Tomas Clancy (Fermoy)
8. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
9. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s) Captain
10. Kevin O Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
11. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
12. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues)
13. John O Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
14. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
15. Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers)
Subs:
16. Anthony Casey ( Kiskeam)
17. Sam Ryan (St Finbarr’s)
18. James Loughrey (Mallow)
19. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)
20. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig)
21. Ronan O Toole (Eire Og)
22. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
23. Cathal Vaughan ( Iveleary)
24. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven)
25. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarr’s)
26. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
27. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
Tipperary minor hurling manager Tommy Dunne has also named his team that will play Cork in Round 2 of the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship on Sunday next, May 27th at 12 noon in Semple Stadium. Tommy has made 3 changes in personnel ahead of the match from last week’s starting XV.
The Tipperary minor team lines out as follows;
1. Aaron Browne – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams
2. Conor O’Dwyer – Cashel King Cormacs
3. Conor Whelan – Mullinahone
4. Kevin Hayes – Moycarkey-Borris
5. Johnny Ryan (Capt.) – Arravale Rovers
6. Fintan Purcell – Drom-Inch
7. Frank Hanafin – Holycross-Ballycahill
8. Max Hackett – Moycarkey-Borris
9. John Campion – Drom-Inch
10. Seán Hayes – Kiladangan
11. Jack Morrissey – Moycarkey-Borris
12. Kian O’Kelly – Kilruane MacDonaghs
13. Kevin Maher – Borris-Ileigh
14. Cian O’Farrell – Nenagh Éire Óg
15. James Devaney – Borris-Ileigh
Subs
16. Enda Dunphy – St. Mary’s Clonmel
17. Sean Phelan – Nenagh Éire Óg
18. Mikey O’Shea – Mullinahone
19. Devon Ryan – Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams
20. Ryan Renehan – Cappawhite
21. Keith Ryan – Upperchurch-Drombane
22. James Synnott – Roscrea
23. Oisin Larkin – Borrisokane
24. Billy O’Connor – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
Last night on Tipp FM, Stephen Gleeson interviewed Liam Kearns and the topic of Tipperary support on Saturday was discussed and again the importance of a blue and gold clad vocal Tipp crowd was emphasised.
You can hear Liam’s interview with Stephen, at 36 minutes, at the following link: http://tippfm.com/listen-back/extratime-21st-may/
Jeddy Walsh in The Nationalist also carried the story and wrote the following fantastic article emphasising the importance of a huge partisan home support:
Not to be outdone Brian McDonnell in the Tipperary Star also penned a column about how the Tipperary fans can be the reason why the Tipperary footballers can make a “huge leap” this weekend.
You can read Brian’s report at the following link: https://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/sport/314344/liam-kearns-calls-on-supporters-to-come-out-in-force-as-tipperary-prepare-to-face-cork.html
Shane Brophy of The Nenagh Guardian has also been a fantastic friend to Tipperary football and ensures that they are extensively covered in the North Tipperary based newspaper.
In tomorrow’s edition he will carry a report on last weekend’s match against Waterford, a preview of the game against Cork and last Saturday evening, in a Tweet, he encouraged Tipperary supporters to go and cheer on the footballers in Tom Semple’s field.
Please note tickets can be purchased online for €15 (it will cost €20 at the gate on the night) at http://gaa.tickets.ie/Listing/EventInformation/38353
A perfectly scripted evening for Tipperary. Progress to a semi-final without exerting too much energy, get a good run out and pick up no injuries in the process.
Huge game against Cork back in Thurles next Saturday at 7pm.
If you can forego the Champions League final please do— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) May 19, 2018
Liam Kearns calls on supporters to come out in force as the Tipperary footballers prepare to face Cork – https://t.co/cV3j5b3Vpe @tipperarygaa #tipperary
— Tipperary Star Sport (@tippstarsport) May 22, 2018
Tipp hurlers, footballers & camogie team are all playing their biggest game so far this year this Sat and Sunday!!
Liam Kearns made a call to arms @TippFM last night & Michael Ryan echoed it today. If you can go along and shout on the Blue and Gold this wknd!! #TippvCork #GAA pic.twitter.com/ix3taF4FQJ— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGtippfm) May 22, 2018
https://t.co/iaEV4TOvM5 @TipperaryGAA @TippfootballGAA @premierview @corkgaa @MunsterGAA
— The Nationalist (@TheNationalist) May 21, 2018
Let's make a massive appeal to all Tipp supporters to get out and support the footballers. This technically is our biggest game of the year. @tippstarsport @BrophShane @guardian_sport @Westtippgaa https://t.co/aZA4V4kCg5
— Tipperarysportsnews (@Tippsportsnews) May 21, 2018
Heard Liam Kearns speak on tonight’s @TippFM Extra Time podcast. Such an impressive character. He has done an amazing job with the Tipp footballers. They deserve a huge crowd to show up in Thurles next Saturday night. https://t.co/DWAojM5cQ8
— Tipp Cumann mBunscol (@TippCumanNamBun) May 21, 2018
Best wishes @TippfootballGAA footballers Sat evening in Semple, massive game.Victory and a win away from the Super 8s, and also a shot at a Munster title.Get out and support this team, they deserve it for the effort, spirit and improvement over the last couple of years #bigball https://t.co/LcsiKlCrC1
— Victor Direen (@suaftipp) May 21, 2018
I will be there and if I can travel from Mullingar no excuse for anyone living within county. Nothing beats being there
— Michael O'Sullivan (@michaeltipp) May 21, 2018
Please come & support these fantastic footballers I'm a massive Liverpool fan but ill be in Thurles cheering on these fantastic boys 💙💛 Tiobraid Àrainn Abu 💙💛💙💛 https://t.co/kzz5d6IByY
— gina strang (@GinaBlossom) May 22, 2018
We all have that one special memory in sport. The one that stands out among the many others. The one that will never be forgotten. The one that picks us up when we’re feeling down. The one that years later is recalled as if it only happened yesterday.
Being from Tipperary we are so fortunate to have many of those special moments.
There was the magical day in 1987 when Richard Stakelum declared that the famine was over. Who can forget Catherina Hennessy’s dramatic late winner against Kilkenny in 1999 when Tipperary brought home the O’ Duffy Cup for the very first time? What about Aisling McCarthy’s goal last year in the intermediate All-Ireland final? Then of course there was the genius of Colman Kennedy in the 2011 All-Ireland minor final when, from outside the 21-yard line, he blasted home the winning goal.
Whatever your moment is there is something that links all of our memories together.
Support.
Supporters can make all the difference when, as Al Pacino referred to it, your team is in “a game of inches”. It can be the difference in encouraging a player to go the extra mile, to burst a gut to get the crucial block in or to have the confidence to pluck that ball from out of the sky and send it back with interest.
This Saturday Tipperary are playing Cork in the Munster senior football semi-final in Semple Stadium at 7pm and manager Liam Kearns has asked for your support in making this yet another memorable day for Tipperary football:
“The odds are stacked against us and we could do with all the support we can get. I ask as many Tipperary supporters as possible to turn up for the match and make as much noise as you can. The players have put in a huge effort and your support could be vital in determining the result of the match, you could be the difference and give us that little extra edge that we need.”
While chairman of the Tipperary Football Committee Barry O’ Brien is also seeking your support:
“This game is one of the most important that Tipperary football has played in a long time with the winners being not only assured of a Munster final place but are also one step away from the Super Eights. We appeal to as many Tipperary GAA supporters as possible to come to Semple Stadium on Saturday evening, bring all the colour you can and make as much noise as possible. The players have put in a monumental effort, not just in 2018 but over the last decade or so, to improve our standing in Gaelic football and they truly deserve massive support.”
Congratulations to team captain Robbie Kiely, full-back John Meagher and forward Michael Quinlivan.
The full team is:
1: Rory Beggan (Monaghan)
2: Dessie Mone (Monaghan) 3: John Meagher (Tipperary) 4: Michael Jones (Fermanagh)
5: Robbie Kiely (Tipperary) 6: Vinny Corey (Monaghan) 7: Pearse Lillis (Clare)
8: Ryan Jones (Fermanagh) 9: Darren Hughes (Monaghan)
10: Kieran Malone (Clare) 11: Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary) 12: Ryan McAnespie (Monaghan)
13: Seamus Quigley (Fermanagh) 14: Conor McAliskey (Tyrone) 15: Conor McManus (Monaghan)
Tipperary are due to play Cork on Saturday evening, 7pm, in the Munster semi-final and we wish the team the very best of luck.
1685 spectators watched as Tipperary overcame the challenge poised by Waterford this evening in Semple Stadium in the Munster senior football quarter-final.
Tipperary made two changes to the line up with both Jack Kennedy and Liam Boland starting in place of Steven O’ Brien and Conor Sweeney, both of whom were carrying slight injuries into the game. The home side led 0-7 to 0-3 after a rather forgettable first half with points coming from Michael Quinlivan, Kevin O’ Halloran, Jack Kennedy, Jimmy Feehan and Liam McGrath.
At numerous stages only Evan Comerford, Alan Campbell and his marker JJ Hutchinson occupied the Killinan End half of the Semple Stadium pitch as Waterford packed their defence and were happy to play keep ball to keep the Tipperary attack at bay. To be fair to the Déise they did this job very effectively and Tom McGlinchey’s side enjoyed long spells of possession which frustrated the home side.
Whatever words of wisdom issued by Liam Kearns appeared to work as Tipperary powered into the second half scoring eight unanswered points to put the game to bed with twenty odd minutes still to play, including the score of the game from Liam Boland.
Stephen Prendergast did manage to find his way through the Tipperary defence and found himself staring down the whites of Evan Comerford’s eyes but his shot went straight towards the keeper and the Clonmel man dealt effectively with his shot.
Liam Kearns emptied the bench as he took off players with next week’s game against Cork in mind as the game fizzled out. Waterford did finish the game with three fine points from Conor Murray, Jason Curry and JJ Hutchinson but Liam McGrath finished the scoring to leave eleven points between the sides when Fergal Kelly indicated full time.
Tipperary: E Comerford, S O’Connell, J Meagher, A Campbell, B Maher, R Kiely, J Feehan (0-1), L Casey, J Kennedy (0-1), J Keane (0-1), K O’Halloran (0-2), B Fox, L Boland (0-1), M Quinlivan (0-3), L McGrath (0-9, 0-7 frees).
Substitutions: S O’Brien for Kennedy, P Austin (0-1) for O’Halloran, K Fahey for Maher, J Lonergan (0-1) for Quinlivan, P Codd for Meagher, G Hannigan for Casey.
Waterford: S Enright, J McGrath, B Looby, A Trihy, D Guiry, S Prendergast, B O’Keeffe, T Prendergast (0-1), M Curry, C Murray (0-1), S Ryan, K Power, G Crotty (0-2), J Veale, JJ Hutchinson (0-1).
Substitutions: J Curry (0-3, 0-2 frees) for O’Keeffe, C Guiry for Veale, J Allen for McGrath (black card), M Kelly for Power, M Cummins for Trihy, E O’Brien for Hutchinson.
Referee: F Kelly (Longford).
Attendance: 1,658.
Kevin with Tipp FM’s Stephen Gleeson this evening.
Well known Tipperary fan Kevin Hanly was the subject of a documentary by Paul Hanley recently and it was released to YouTube earlier this week.
For anyone who is feeling down, lacking inspiration or currently struggling to achieve their dreams then this video is well worth watching. With input from Tipperary manager Liam Kearns and player Colm O’ Shaughnessy Kevin takes us on his journey through life.
Entitled Group B – One Day at a Time this will be the best seventeen minutes of your day.
Mary O’ Meara with young supporters from Nenagh and Burgess
Primary schools players Jack McLoughlin with his teacher George Hannigan
Ciarán McDonald and Ian Dowling chat prior to this evening’s game
Job done in Semple this evening for @TippfootballGAA, eventually broke down a Waterford team who had no interest in winning the game, played one forward inside Tipp half for most of game, awful stuff, looking forward to next Saturday, well done @goldenstapo @paulcrackerfitz
— Declan Browne (@dbrowne15) May 19, 2018
Good to see @PhilAustin1986 back in the @TippfootballGAA jersey this evening. Was like a spring lamb bounding around Semple.
— Killian Whelan (@Killian_Whelan) May 19, 2018
Busy weekend for Tipp supporters v Cork next weekend.. Camogie team v Cork 3.30 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sat, footballers in Thurles v Cork that evening and minor and senior hurlers v Cork on the Sunday! #GAA
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGtippfm) May 19, 2018
First to the ball. You have them looking 💪 @moriartydave71
📸 @sportsfile pic.twitter.com/vEEIHcXlGU
— Setanta College (@SetantaCollege) May 19, 2018
