Tipp held in controversial ending

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 3 Round 4

Longford0-14

Tipperary 1-11

Report: Liam Hogan at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Teddy Doyle (Tipperary).

SCORERS - Longford: Robbie Smyth 0-3 (2 frees); Joseph Hagan, David McGivney (frees), Rian Brady (1 free) 0-2 each; Dessie Reynolds, Daniel Mimnagh, Peter Foy, Dylan Farrell, Oran Kenny 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Jack Kennedy 0-7 (6 frees, 1’45); Teddy Doyle 1-0; Paudie Feehan 0-2; Emmet Moloney, Donough Leahy 0-1 each.

Tipperary had victory in their hands but Longford fought back with five unanswered points to claim a share of the spoils following an exciting if controversial game on Sunday.

After trailing 0-9 to 0-5 at half time, Tipp produced a better performance in the second half and the manner of it raised eyebrows coming from a team that lined out without Conor Sweeney, Steven O’Brien and Mikey O’Shea.

Longford were by far the hungrier team as the first half would show. Yet, there were glimpses of what Tipp could achieve and after Robbie Smyth’s opening point on fourteen seconds, Longford keeper Patrick Collum made a double save at the expense of a 45 which Jack Kennedy converted. Close range frees from Smyth and Kennedy had the teams level before Kennedy gave Tipp the lead. A David McGivney free levelled before Longford regained the lead with a Dessie Reynolds score as the home side came to life with Robbie Smyth adding a free, followed by a Daniel Mimnagh point.

Tipp badly needed a score but too much passiveness in their play prevented chances before Kennedy secured his fourth point from a placed ball in the 28th minute before his midfield partner Paudie Feehan kicked Tipp’s first point from play.

However, Longford were moving well, and in the last four minutes of the half added three unanswered points through Dessie Foy and Joseph Hagen to make it 0-9 to 0-5 at half time.

Somebody in the press box suggested that Tipp had received an extra lump of sugar in their half time tea because they came out for the second half a refreshed unit with Teddy Doyle intercepting an cross-field pass before racing thirty metres and planting at shot under pressure to the roof of the net.

Emmett Moloney added a point in the 40th minute to level and seconds later Tipp were in front after Donough Leahy finished off a move begun by goalkeeper Michael O’Reilly who spent a lot of time outfield and his contribution was immense.

There was more and after Sean O’Connor was fouled ,Kennedy obliged in the 43rd minute. The pressure on Longford continued and both Teddy Doyle had his ball cleared off the line with Kevin Fahey having another chance denied following a splendid tackle by full back Andrew Farrell before Jack Kennedy added another free.

With Longford midfielder Darren Gallagher sent off for a second yellow card in the 58th minute, Tipp looked good when Paudie Feehan and Jack Kennedy (free) put Tipp led 1-11 to 0-9 in front with four minutes remaining.

Then the fun really started. After David McGivney pointed in the 69th minute, Tipp went down to fourteen men when sub Conor Cadell was dismissed for a second yellow offence. .

With their numerical advantage gone, Tipp came under pressure and Longford scored through Dylan Farrell. The visitors won a 45 but seconds later the kick was overturned, for allegedly time wasting, as Jack Kennedy was about to take it. Heartened by the decision, Longford found belief as substitute Ryan Brady scored twice, either side of the failure to award a close range free to Tipp when Kevin Fahey was fouled.

There was more time and following a contained passing move it was Oran Kenny who scored the equaliser from 35-metres, giving both teams their first points in the league and perhaps a very slight chance of surviving the drop.

TEAMS - Longford: Patrick Collum (7); Patrick Fox (7), Andrew Farrell (7), Barry O’Farrell (7); Iarla O’Sullivan (7), Peter Foy (7), Ryan Moffett (6); Michael Quinn (7), Darren Gallagher (7); Joseph Hagan (7), Dessie Reynolds (6), Liam Connerton (6); Daniel Mimnagh (6), David McGivney (6), Robbie Smyth (7).

Subs: Peter Lynn (6) for Foy (45 inj); Rian Brady (7) for Connerton (45); Oran Kenny (7) for Smyth (61); PJ Masterson (6) for Lynn (56); Dylan Farrell (6) for Mimnagh (63).

Tipperary: Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials 8); Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle 8), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 7), Willie Eviston (Loughmore/Castleiney 7); Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch 8), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials 8), Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan 7); Paudie Feehan (Killenaule 7), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 8); Paul Maher (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6), Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 7), Teddy Doyle (Ballina 8); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6), Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers 6), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 7).

Subs: Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 6) for P Maher (28 inj); Mark Russell (Aherlow 6) for Leahy (51); Conor Cadell (JK Brackens 5) for McGrath (61); Dean Carew (Upperchurch/Drombane 6) for Eviston (66); Martin Kehoe (Mullinahone, NR) for Doyle (70 +3).

Referee: John Ryan (Cork).