Tipperary Move into Top Spot in Division 3 Following a Four Point Win Over Offaly

Tipperary 2-15

Offaly 2-11

Tipperary are one win away for promotion to Division Two following today’s hard fought win over a determined Offaly side who made The Premier fight hard for their win.

Next weekend Louth visit Semple Stadium and should Tipperary win, it won’t matter what happens in their final match against Armagh as Tipp will get automatic promotion based on their head to head advantage over Louth. However, a defeat hands Louth the initiative.

 

Offaly, stung by criticism following last weekend’s heavy defeat to Armagh, were anxious to put up a performance in their home grounds and caused Tipperary all sorts of bother as they sought to restore pride and confidence within their squad.

At the end of a scrappy first half they led Tipperary 1-7 to 1-5. Tipperary scored three early points through Conor Sweeney (2) and Kevin O Halloran before the thirteenth minute when Evan Comerford, blinded by the sun, deflected a high dropping ball off corner back Shane O Connell which inadvertently ended up in the goal to give the home side a 1-2 to 0-3 lead.

Handbags broke out in front of the Tipperary goal and once things had quietened down referee John Hickey, after a long consultation with his match officials, sent George Hannigan and Sean Doyle for an early shower. Offaly were reduced to thirteen in the 68^th minute when Peter Cunningham received his marching orders in what was otherwise a clean and sporting contest.

Three minutes before the break Robbie Kiely struck for Tipperary’s first goal. Indeed, the centre-back ended the half with a personal tally of 1-1.

Liam Casey gave Tipperary the perfect start to the second half with an early point but Offaly, despite playing against a stiff breeze, rattled off an unanswered 1-2 before Tipperary began to get a grip on proceedings. Kevin O Halloran (2), Josh Keane Keane and Conor Sweeney all pointed before full-forward Michael Quinlivan blasted home a superb goal to give Tipperary the lead, 2-10 to 2-9.

Tipperary finished the game strongly outscoring their opponents 0-5 to 0-2 to record a four-point win ahead of their crucial match next Sunday.

Scorers for Tipperary – Robbie Kiely 1-1, Conor Sweeney 0-4 (1f), Michael Quinlivan 1-0, Kevin O’Halloran 0-3f, Shane O’Connell, Jimmy Feehan, Liam Casey, Josh Keane (f), Liam Boland, Jack Kennedy & Kevin Fahey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly – Shane O’Connell 1-0 (o.g.), Joseph O’Connor 1-0, Bernard Allen (2f) & Nigel Dunne (1f) 0-3 each, Shane Nally 0-2, Graham Guilfoyle, Peter Cunningham & Sean Doyle 0-1 each.

Tipperary

1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
2. Alan Campbell (Moyle Rovers)
3. Paddy Codd (Killenaule)
25. Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle)
22. Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
6. Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers, Cork)
7. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)
8. Liam Casey (Cahir)
18. George Hannigan (Shannon Rovers)
12. Brian Fox (capt. – Éire Óg Annacarty)
11. Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe)
10. Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle)
13. Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen)
14. Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials)
21. Liam Boland (Moyle Rovers)

Subs

17. Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials) for Feehan (temp – 5-14)
9. Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) for Boland (h.t.)
17. Kevin Fahey for Maher (56)
4. Willie Connors (Kiladangan) for O’Connell (64)
20. Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) for Casey (66)

Offaly

16. Alan Mulhall (Walsh Island)
6. Brian Darby (Rhode)
3. James Lawlor (Raheen)
4. Sean Pender (capt. – Edenderry)
19. Joseph O’Connor (St Rynagh’s)
11. Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh)
5. Niall Darby (Rhode)
7. David Hanlon (Edenderry)
8. Eoin Carroll (Cappincur)
18. Shane Nally (Ferbane)
10. Graham Guilfoyle (Clara)
12. Michael Brazil (Tullamore)
15. Bernard Allen (Tubber)
14. Nigel Dunne (Shamrocks)
22. Sean Doyle (Edenderry)

Subs

25. Jack Walsh (Gracefield) for Doyle (45)
20. Jason Gethings (Cappincur) for Hanlon (59)
26. Adam Mahon (Edenderry) for O’Connor (60)
13. Ruairi McNamee (Rhode) for Allen (65)
21. Declan Hogan (Tullamore) for Nally (b/c 70)
23. Willie Mulhall (Walsh Island) for Dunne (70+3).

Referee – John Hickey (Carlow)