Minor Footballers finish strongly to beat Limerick
GAA: Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship Phase 1 Round 1
Tipperary 1-15
Limerick 1-8
Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Daithi Hogan (Tipperary)
SCORERS – Tipperary: Conal Grogan 0-8 frees; Fionn Fitzgerald 1-0; Paddy O’Keeffe 0-2; Eanna Ormond, Daithi Hogan, Joe Higgins, Ben Carey, Tommy O’Connor 0-1 each.
Limerick: Stephen Young 0-4 (3 frees); Bobby Smith 1-1; Diarmuid Hynes 0-2 (1 free); Michael Kilbridge 0-1.
Tipperary's subs bench proved crucial as they saw off Limerick in the opening round of the Munster Minor Football Championship last Thursday.
Fionn Fitzgerald, introduced at half-time, scored a 57th minute goal for Tipp that finally put the game beyond Limerick’s reach.
Tipperary were the better team much of the way but found it hard to shake off a Limerick side, Munster finalists last year, and with high ambitions this time. The opening twenty minutes saw Tipp go 0-4 to 0-2 clear only for Limerick to come level.
The closing minutes of the half were dominated by Tipperary who had points from Conal Grogan, Joe Higgins, Eanna Ormond and Paddy O’Keeffe as they surged 0-8 to 0-5 clear by the interval. It was a well merited advantage but it was by no means a done deal.
Tipp might have had a goal but on the stroke of half-time, captain Charlie King’s effort came off the woodwork but they quickly extended their advantage on resuming with points from Tommy O’Connor and Paddy O’Keeffe.
Limerick were not giving up. After Diarmuid Hynes pointed, Bobby Smith availed of a turn-over to plant the ball in the Tipp net in the 39th minute. Tipp squandered two very pointable chances from frees and Limerick took full advantage to draw level with another Hynes point in the 44th minute. At this point the Shannonsiders looked to have the momentum to carry them through to victory.
This was a real test of Tipperary’s character and how well they responded. Conal Grogan pointed a brace of frees and Ben Carey added another to put them three clear after 49 minutes.
It was still anybody’s game though the initiative was now with Tipp. The decisive score came in the 57th minute when determined Tipperary tackling turned over possession from Limerick in their own half, with Charlie English setting up Fionn Fitzgerald for a crucial goal that gave Tipp a six points advantage.
There was no way back for Limerick now. Tipperary tails were up, and the clock was also against the visitors who entertain Clare in their next outing, a game they must win to stay in contention for the knock-out stages.
Tipperary travel to Waterford for their next game in Leamybrien where a win will put them on the cusp of reaching a phase 1 final.
TEAMS – Tipperary: Robbie McGrath (Galtee Rovers); Alex McSherry (Clonmel Commercials), Ciaran Byrne (Golden-Kilfeacle), Jamie Bergin (JK Brackens); Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney), Charlie King (Ballina, Capt), Thomas Charles (Clonmel Commercials); Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), Paddy O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers); Tommy O’Connor (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Eanna Ormond (Golden-Kilfeacle), Ben Carey (Ballylooby/Castlegrace); Conal Grogan (Galtee Rovers), Daithi Hogan (St Patricks), Dylan Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla).
Subs: Fionn Fitzgerald (Killenaule) for Fogarty (HT); Charlie English (Ballyporeen) for Ormond (48); Darragh Landers (Clonmel Commercials) for O’Connor (56); Oisin Shelley (Killenaule) for O’Keeffe (59); Charlie Grace (Ballina) for Carey (60+2).
Limerick: Jake Foley; Shane O’Sullivan, Cathal Mangan, Ethan Browne; Paddy Downey, Cian Harnett, Calum Boyle; Aidan O’Shea, Michael Keating; Bailey Ryan, Tommy Ryan, Bobby Smith; Diarmuid Hynes, Stephen Young, Michael Kilbridge.
Subs: Luke Walsh for B Ryan (37); Senan Walsh for Boyle (49); Jamie Young for Keating (52); Tom Lloyd for Smith (54).
Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford)