Tipperary draw with Down in League Opener

 

Allianz National Football League Division Three

Tipperary 0-10 Down 0-10

Both teams left Clonmel today with very mixed feelings, regret that a win was left behind, relief that they didn’t lose and satisfaction with a draw. However when manager David Power reflects on today’s game he will be delighted knowing that his side showed many positives including a fine display from his defence and a determined work rate from all players that bodes well for the future.

Take into account that Tipperary played at least 40 minutes of this encounter with fourteen men and yet at times it looked as if they were the ones playing with a numerical advantage such was the hard work ethic on display. Indeed for the second half Down played with the advantage of the breeze and the odds were stacked against Power’s brigade but credit where it’s due and with eighteen minutes to play, Tipperary led 0-10 to 0-8 but unfortunately could not add that extra point which would have secured the win.

Jack Kennedy was black carded mid way through the first half and the Mourne men capitalised to take a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. However, Tipperary finished the half strongly to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at the break following an impressive purple patch. Goalkeeper Evan Comerford pointed a free  and this was followed by scores from Liam Boland, Steven O’Brien and Conor Sweeney to give the Premier a one-point half-time lead.

Half Time Tipperary 0-6 Down 0-5

Down goalkeeper also got in on the scoring act with a pointed free in the opening minute of the second half before Jack Kennedy added a fine effort of his own but unfortunately, moments later he was heading for an early shower after being shown a second yellow card of the afternoon by referee Alan Nolan.

Midway through the second half the sides were level but Tipperary gained a two-point advantage with scores from Evan Comerford and Conor Sweeney but points from Rory Burns and Owen McCabe ensured a share of the spoils in Clonmel.

For Tipperary they now look forward to a trip to Louth next weekend as they seek their first league win of 2020.

Tipperary: Evan Comerford, Alan Campbelly, John Meagher,  Colm O’Shaughnessy, Emmet Moloney, Robbie Kiely, Dáire Brennan, Steven O’Brien, Conal Kennedy, Bill Maher, Jack Kennedy, Kevin Fahey, Liam Boland, Conor Sweeney, Brian Fox.

Substitues: Kevin O’Halloran for Kevin Fahey (HT), Jason Lonergan for Liam Boland (58); Tommy Nolan for Conal Kennedy (65); Colman Kennedy for Bill Maher (66).

Down: Rory Burns, Peter Fegan, Kevin McKernan, Ryan McAleenan, Gerard Collins, Darren O’Hagan, Shane Annett, Conor Maginn, Sean Dornan, Barry O’Hagan, Conor Poland, Daniel Guinness, Owen McCabe, Donal O’Hare, Cory Quinn.

Substitutes: Pat Havern for Sean Dornan (HT); Liam Kerr for Conor Maginn (42 mins); Niall Donnelly for Conor Poland (47); Ross McGarry for Daniel Guinness (52); Johnny Flynn for Barry O’Hagan (68).

Scorers for Tipperary: Evan Comerford (0-2), Liam Boland (0-1), Jack Kennedy (0-1), Steven O’Brien (0-1), Conor Sweeney (0-5)

Scorers for Down: Rory Burns (0-2), Barry O’Hagan (0-1), Owen McCabe (0-2), Donal O’Hare (0-3), Cory Quinn (0-1), Pat Havern (0-1),

Good to chat with football manager @DavidPower1983 at the full time whistle in Clonmel for @TippFMSport Tipp v Down finished 0-10 a piece #GAA #Football pic.twitter.com/4sAAzn1q0X

— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) January 26, 2020

Tipperary LGFA

In other news the county’s LGFA side drew with All-Ireland champions Dublin in Ballyboden St. Enda’s today in the opening round of the Lidl National Football League 0-10 to 1-7 with Aishling Moloney securing the draw for the Premier county with a late point.

For a full match report please click here.

 

Tipperary Star! See Aishling Moloney's goal and late late equaliser in a personal tally of 1-6 to draw with Dublin in Ballyboden.. @lidl_ireland @LadiesFootball @TippLadiesFB pic.twitter.com/Br8vjiH9YJ

— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) January 26, 2020

 

 

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