Wasteful Tipp exit hurling league at the hands of Dublin
GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Quarter-Final
Tipperary 0-23
Dublin 1-21
By Michael Dundon at Semple Stadium
For the third time this term Tipperary frustratingly lost a National Hurling League game by a point, but last Saturday’s loss to Dublin in the quarter final at Semple Stadium was surely the most disappointing result of the campaign, dashing the Premier county’s hopes of a semi-final clash with Limerick.
Tipp shot eighteen wides in a much below par performance, an extraordinary return for an attacking formation of such talent. They never led their rivals despite drawing level three times with them when wind-aided in the second half with the game seemingly at their mercy. They duly paid a heavy price for this lack of consistency.
The score that eventually decided this game came as early as the fifth minute when Cathal Barrett lost his footing and Oisin Rorke set up Fergal Whitley for a Dublin goal and a lead of 1-2 to 0-1, Jake Morris having opened Tipp’s account a minute earlier. Tipp were slow into their stride and were 1-6 to 0-3 behind after twenty minutes. Dublin were inspired by great long range points from defenders Sean Moran and Eoghan O’Donnell in marked contrast to some wayward Tipperary efforts, but things seemed to be coming together as Noel McGrath, Niall O’Meara, Seamus Callanan and Jason Forde pointed to leave Tipp adrift 0-7 to 1-7 after 27 minutes.
At half-time it was 0-9 to 1-10, not bad from a Tipp perspective considering the level of the performance, and with the strong downfield breeze into the town goal to benefit them in the second half, the prospects remained bright.
Tipperary came out with all guns blazing at the restart and points by Jason Forde (2 frees), Jake Morris and Noel McGrath levelled by the 39th minute. Now was the time to push on for victory but instead it was Dublin who got the next two points before a brace of Jason Forde frees levelled again by the 48th minute.
Surely now Tipp would take the initiative but no, once more Dublin snapped back to re-establish a four point lead after 55 minutes. Now Ronan Maher rallied Tipp with a great long-range point. Mark Kehoe, who had come on, made an immediate positive impact with two points and another from Jason Forde squared the game 0-19 to 1-16 with eight minutes to play.
Once more it was advantage Tipperary but once again they failed to push on, three Dublin points putting the Leinster men clear again, efforts by Seamus Callanan and Noel McGrath cutting it back to a point as the final whistle loomed. Moran pointed a Dublin 65 but Noel McGrath responded after Seamus Callanan hit a very poor wide from play. Paul Ryan kept two in it for Dublin before they lost Danny Sutcliffe to a red card in the 72nd minute. In the 73rd minute, Brendan Maher, landed a long-range free for Tipp to once more leave only a point in it.
Time was the enemy now and there was not enough of it left as Dublin held on for a win that thrilled their small band of followers in the 3,503 attendance.
Very little to cheer about for Tipp fans and no reputations were enhanced. James Barry, Padraic Maher, Noel McGrath, Jake Morris and Mark Kehoe did their bit and the return of Brendan Maher is to be welcomed.
Sean Moran was outstanding for Dublin at centre halfback with Eoghan O’Donnell, Oisin O’Rorke, Eamon Dillon, and Philip Ryan also to the fore.
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Sean Moran (Dublin)
SCORERS – Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-7 (6 frees); Noel McGrath, Jake Morris 0-3 each; Seamus Callanan, Mark Kehoe 0-2 each; Niall O’Meara, Brendan Maher (free), John McGrath, John O’Dwyer, Michael Breen 0-1 each.
Dublin: Oisin O’Rorke, Sean Moran 0-5 (4 frees each); Fergal Whitley 1-0; Eamon Dillon 0-3 (1 free); Paul Ryan, Caolan Conway 0-2 each; Chris Crummy, Riain McBride, Jake Malone, Eoghan O’Donnell 0-1 each.
TEAMS – Tipperary: Paul Maher; Cathal Barrett, James Barry, Ronan Maher; Joe O’Dwyer, Padraic Maher, Robert Byrne; Michael Breen, Noel McGrath; Jake Morris, Niall O’Meara, Jason Forde; John O’Dwyer, Seamus Callanan, John McGrath.
Subs: Patrick Maher for J McGrath (34); Brendan Maher (6) for Byrne (46), Mark Kehoe (7) for John O’Dwyer (56); Alan Flynn for Breen (62); Donagh Maher for N McGrath (70+3).
Dublin: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell, Daire Gray; Christy Crummy, Sean Moran, Darragh O’Connell; Riain McBride, Sean Treacy; Jake Malone, Caolan Conway, Danny Sutcliffe; Oisin O’Rorke, Fergal Whitley, Eamon Dillon.
Subs: Ciaran Boland (6) for Malone (28-HT blood); John Hetherton (6) for Conway (HT); Jake Malone for Treacy (HT); Paul Ryan(6) for Whitley (56); Ronan Hayes for Malone (61), David Treacy for O’Rorke (69).
Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow).