Tipp claim vital win over Donegal

 

 

Tipperary     3-9

Donegal         0-13

 

Tipperary produced a blistering final quarter to get the better of Donegal and claim their first win in division 2 of the Allianz Football League at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

The Premier County trailed 0-11 to 1-4 after 50 minutes but outscored the visitors 2-5 to 0-2 in the closing twenty minutes to claim a vital two points in a topsy-turvy division.

After Oisin Gallan kicked Donegal into an early lead, Tipp responded with a Steven O’Brien goal on two minutes, running hard onto a Jack Kennedy pass and with a gap open, burst through to slot to the net.

Playing with a stiff breeze, Donegal hit back with Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan and Niall O’Donnell all on target.

Two fine points from Philip Austin kept Tipp with Donegal who punished sloppy turnovers by the home side with Langan, and two Jamie Brennan points easing them to a two point lead before Conor Sweeney responded with a Tipp free.

Thompson added a point for Donegal before more hard running by Tipp ended with a Brian Fox point on 30 minutes. A minute later, Donegal were awarded a penalty after John Meagher was penalised somewhat harshly for a challenge on Hugh McFadden, however Tipp’s debutant keeper Michael O’Reilly dived to his right to deny Brennan. Oisin Gallen fisted a late point to give Donegal a 0-10 to 1-4 advantage at half time.

The opening fifteen minutes of the second half were non-descript as Tipp struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did missed some good chances before Ciaran Thompson converted a free for Donegal on 50 minutes for the opening score of the half.

Tipp needed a break and they got it four minutes later as a Liam McGrath free from 45 yards went all the way to the net as Donegal keeper Shaun Patton and Hugh McFadden got in eachothers way on the line.

Donegal responded well with Oisin Gallan and Thompson pointing either side of a Liam Boland point for Tipp who were forcing Donegal back and Brian Fox got forward to cut the gap to the minimum before Tipp forced the visitors into another mistake on 65 minutes as Ryan McHugh’s free was intercepted by Liam McGrath who played in Liam Casey who slotted to the net.

Tipp never looked back from where with Casey, Conor Sweeney and Steven O’Brien kicked points from play to secure the win and a five point winning margin.

 

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Steven O’Brien (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Steven O’Brien, Liam Casey 1-1 each; Liam McGrath 1-0 free; Philip Austin, Brian Fox, Conor Sweeney (1 free) 0-2 each; Liam Boland 0-1.

Donegal: Ciaran Thompson 0-5 (3 frees); Oisin Gallen 0-3 (1 free); Michael Langan, Jamie Brennan 0-2 each; Niall O’Donnell 0-1.

 

TEAMS – Tipperary: Michael O’Reilly; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Emmett Moloney; Kevin Fahey, Daire Brennan, Jimmy Feehan; Steven O’Brien, Jack Kennedy; Philip Austin, Liam Casey, Brian Fox; Kevin O’Halloran, Conor Sweeney, Liam McGrath.

Subs: Liam Boland for O’Halloran (51); Colm O’Shaughnessy for Feehan (58); Conal Kennedy for Kennedy (67); Dan O’Meara for Austin (70+2); Paddy Codd for Fahey (70+4).

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Brendan McCole, Eoghan Ban Gallagher; Caolan Ward, Tony McCleneghan, Ryan McHugh; Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee; Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan; Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan, Caolan McGonagle.

Subs: Leo McLoone for McGee (45); Eoin McHugh for McCleneghan (51); Martin McElhinney for Gallen (66); Paul Brennan for McMenamin (69);

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)