Tipperary Finish League Campaign with Loss to Down

31 Mar 2018

Allianz League Division Two

Down 2-11 Tipperary 1-11

Páirc Esler, Newry

31 March 2018

Tipperary’s Allianz League Division Two campaign came to a disappointing end today as Down ran out winners by one goal in an overcast but breezy Páirc Esler. The result mattered not for the Premier as regardless of the result Tipperary could neither be promoted nor relegated but for Down however, they needed both to win and hope that Louth would overcome the challenge of Meath but the Royals won 1-12 to 0-7 to see the Mourne Men down to the third tier.

 

If ever the importance of sport was put into perspective it was before this game commenced as both sides, mentors and supporters stood for a poignant minutes silence in memory of the late Rachel Kenneally, former Tipperary LGFA player, who sadly lost her battle with cancer during the week.

 

This home side got off to the dream start as after thirty seconds Seán Dornan fisted the ball to the back of Ciaran Kenrick’s goal following a fantastic passing move up the field involving Donal O’ Hare and Kevin McKernan. Rather them drive them on however, it was the visitors who began to assert themselves on the game and points followed from Josh Keane (1f), Kevin O’ Halloran (1f) and a fine forty-yard effort from the boot of Jack Kennedy.

From here on in however, Down dominated the remained of the half and picked off seven points with Tipp’s response coming from Michael Quinlivan (’45) and Kevin Fahy.

 

At half-time manager Liam Kearns introduced Steven O’ Brien and Conor Sweeney into the fray in place of George Hannigan and Stephen Murray. Murray, today making his competitive senior debut,  became only the fourth man from the Burgess club to play senior football for the Premier following in the footsteps of Tony Dunne, Colm O’ Brien and Shane Maher.

 

Sweeney made an immediate impact with a fine pointed free which was added to by a free of his own by Jack Kennedy before Kevin Fahy’s attempted point dropped shot with Steven O’ Brien fisting into the path of Michael Quinlivan and the “goal machine” for the very first time this year managed to bang home a scrappy three-pointer to add to his plethora of stunning goals in 2018.

Jack Kennedy edged Tipp in front for the very first time but it was to be a short-lived lead as soon later Donal O’ Hare converted from the penalty spot and Down managed to close out the game with points from Caolan Mooney and Ryan Johnston cancelling out two fine Sweeney efforts.

 

Scorers for Down: Donal O’Hare 1-2 (pen, 2f), Sean Dornan 1-1, Caolan Mooney 0-3, Conor Maginn 0-2, Peter Turley 0-1, Anthony Doherty 0-1 (’45’), Ryan Johnston 0-1

Scorers for Tipperary: Michael Quinlivan 1-1, Jack Kennedy 0-3 (2f), Conor Sweeney 0-3 (1f), Kevin O’Halloran 0-2 (1f), Kevin Fahey 0-1, Josh Keane 0-1 (f).

DOWN: Shane Harrison; Colm Flanagan, Brendan McArdle, Anthony Doherty; David McKibbin, Niall McParland, Caolan Mooney; Peter Turley, Niall Donnelly; Kevin McKernan, Conor Maginn, Shay Millar; Aaron Morgan, Donal O’Hare, Sean Dornan. Subs: Ryan Johnston for Morgan (55), Darragh O’Hanlon for Maginn (55), Connaire Harrison for Dornan (57), Conor Poland for Donnelly (63).

TIPPERARY: Ciaran Kenrick; Jodie Sheehan, Paddy Codd, Liam Ryan; Luke Boland, Robbie Kiely, Jimmy Feehan; Stephen O’Brien, David McGrath; Josh Keane, Sean Carey, Brian Fox; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Liam McGrath. Subs: Conor Sweeney for Murray (HT), Stephen O’Brien for Hannigan (HT), Jason Lonergan for Keane (50), Jimmy Feehan for Luke Boland (55), David McGrath for Moloney (55), Ian Fahey for Carey (63).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)

 

Tipperary LGFA

Congratulations to our ladies today who scored a two-point win over Clare, 2-12 to 3-7, in the league after what was a most difficult week for all concerned. Borrisokane’s Brian Egan summed up the result better than most in the following tweet:

The Tipperary substitutes, management and backroom team stand in memory of Rachel Kenneally

The Tipperary team united in respect for the late Rachel Kenneally

 

The O’ Neills from Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams GAA travalled all the way to Newry today and were quick to stress that both Conor Sweeney and Brian Fox were their favourite players