TIPPERARY produced a big surprise by beating Offaly in Tullamore thanks largely to a brilliant burst at the start of the second half.

After a mediocre first half, during which both sides lacked intensity, Tipperary trailed by 0-7 to 0-4.

Tipp goalkeeper Matthew O’Donnell made a great save to deny Graham Guilfoyle just after the restart and that sparked the visitors into action, with Brian Mulvihill getting in for a point that could have been a goal.

Moments later Mulvihill made no mistake with a low drive, with Johnny Cagney adding a point to put Tipp 1-7 to 0-7 ahead.

Offaly tried to find some momentum, but Tipperary held on for a deserved win.

Man of the Match: B Grogan (Tipp)

SCORERS — Tipperary: B Grogan 0-7 (4f), B Mulvihill 1-1, B Fox, J Cagney, P Austin 0-1 each. Offaly: N McNamee 0-6 (2f), J Reynolds, C McManus (1f, 1 ’45’) 0-2 each, J Keane, K Casey, B Connor 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY — M O’Donnell 8; A Morrissey 6, P Codd 7, C McDonald 6; N Curran 6, H Coghlan 7, B Fox 8; B Jones 7, G Hannigan 7; J Cagney 6, P Austin 6, B Mulvihill 8; A Rockett 6, B Coen 6, B Grogan 9. Subs: S Hahessy 6 for Rockett (30), P Acheson 6 for Coen (46), A Matassa 6 for Cagney (63), C McGrath, 6 for Mulvihill (71).

OFFALY — A Mulhall 8; B Darby 6, S Brady 7, S Pender 6; S Sullivan 6, K Slattery 7, J Keane 6; R Dalton 6, N Smith 6; S Ryan 6, N McNamee 8, C McManus 6; N Dunne 6, K Casey 7, J Reynolds 6. Subs: J Coughlan 6 for N Smith (13), G Guilfoyle 6 for Ryan (h-t), B Connor 6 for Dunne (45), B Allen 6 for Coughlan (65).

REF — P O’Sullivan (Kerry).