Tipperary go Down in Newry while Liam Kearns resigns

 

Following the Limerick game in the Munster quarter-final Tipperary were on a mission today in Newry to restore pride and while the result did not go their way, the players left the pitch with empty tanks having given their all against the Mourne Men.

All-Ireland Senior Football Qualifier Round One 

Tipperary 1-10 Down 1-13

A brilliant first-half goal from Borrisokane’s Philip Austin, after slicing through the Down blanket defence, set Tipperary up for a deserved 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead, a lead they held until the 59th minute when Down’s Donal O’Hare managed to blast home a shot through a forest of players for the decisive score of the game.

Tipperary played some great football at times and were well worth their advantage at the break with Philip Austin’s point, just before the interval, the highlight score of the game.

As the second half wore on Down’s substitutions had the desired effect as their freshness wore down Kearns’ side and they kicked over some fine scores to earn themselves a place in the next round of the qualifiers.

While the result is not what we would have wanted the performance from the players were superb and they fought tooth and nail for every ball with faith restored in these great players. Liam Kearns was at pains to point out to the waiting media that we will have great days again in the future and from what we saw today few could argue.

Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Shane O’Connell, Daire Brennan, Robbie Kiely, Emmet Moloney, Steven O’Brien, Jack Kennedy (0-01, 0-0145), Josh Keane, Philip Austin (1-01), Brian Fox, Conor Sweeney (0-04,0-04f), Michael Quinlavin (0-01), Liam McGrath (0-02,0-02f).

Substitutions: Bill Maher for L McGrath (56), Liam Casey (0-01) for J kennedy (58), Kevin Fahey for E Moloney (62), Liam Boland for P Austin (65), Paul Maher for J Keane (69).

Down: Rory Burns (0-01, 0-0145); Darren O’Hagan (0-01), Brendan McArdle, Gerard Collins, Ryan McAleenan, Kevin McKernan, Daniel Guinness, Johnny Flynn, Conor Poland, Conor Francis, Pat Havern (0-03), James Guinness, Jerome Johnston(0-01), Donal O’Hare (1-00), Connaire Harrison (0-02).

Substitutions Paul Devlin (0-01) for C Poland (25), Owen McCabe for D Guinness (h-t), Pierce Laverty for J Guinness (37) Cory Quinn (0-03) for J Johnstone (37), Barry O’Hagan (0-01) for Havern (57), Conor Maginn for D O’Hare (70).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)

Thank You Liam

We all wish to extend our thanks to Liam Kearns who sadly, following today’s defeat to Down, decided to call it a day and resign from his role as Tipperary manager.

Under his guidance Tipperary supporters enjoyed some great days following the Premier as they famously reached the All-Ireland semi-final in 2016 after some great displays which included a rare win over Cork and a day in Croke Park against Galway that few will ever forget.

There were other fantastic days out as well. Michael Quinlivan’s dramatic winner against Armagh which secured promotion to Division Two was a standout moment as was the win over Cavan in the qualifiers in 2017. Last year the team came within a whisker of promotion to Division One while a credible performance against Mayo followed in the qualifiers.

Liam’s infectious positivity and charisma inspired the players to reach new heights and this led to a famous day in Croke Park in 2017 when captain Brian Fox climbed the steps of Michael Hogan’s stand to lift the Division Three trophy.

We can’t thank Liam enough for all he has done for Tipperary football and we wish him well in the future.

A statement from the Tipperary County Board reads as follows: