Tipp hurlers ease to league win over Dublin

Tipperary made a winning start to their National Hurling League campaign as they had eleven points to spare over Dublin in their opening round clash on Saturday.

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B Round 1

Dublin 0-22

Tipperary 2-27

Report: Liam Hogan at Parnell Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Craig Morgan (Tipperary).

SCORERS – Dublin: Cian O’Sullivan 0-11 (8 frees, 1 s-cut); Ferghal Whitely 0-3; Conor Burke, Sean Currie 0-2 each; Jake Malone, Brian Hayes, Diarmaid O Dulaing, Paul Crummy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Gearoid O’Connor 0-12 (8 frees, 1 65, 1 s-cut); Jake Morris 1-4; Sean Ryan 1-0; Eoghan Connolly 0-2; Rhys Shelly (free), Craig Morgan, Bryan O’Mara, Conor Bowe, Willie Connors, John McGrath, Alan Tynan, Andrew Ormond, Joe Fogarty 0-1 each.

Weather conditions were suitable as early morning rain had cleared away for bright sunshine, as the visitors raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead after five minutes, Eoghan Connolly scoring the first and long range free by goalkeeper Rhys Shelly and Gearoid O’Connor. Jake Morris and Sean Ryan were a torment up front, and Morris was fouled and O’Connor scoring his third free. By the 12th minute it was 0-11 to 0-4 with Craig Morgan, Connolly, Willie Connors, and Alan Tynan scoring almost at will as Tipp capitalised on Dublin handling errors.

The hosts came back to with a Cian O’Sullivan free, but two Gearoid O’Connor frees made it 0-13 to 0-5 after 21 minutes. Tipp were hurling well with Craig Morgan, Bryan O’Meara, Conor Bowe, Jake Morris, and John McGrath shown well.

A high ball caught out Rhys Shelly, but Craig Morgan saved Tipp on the goal-line after Cian O’Sullivan almost sneaked a goal in the 29th minute. At the other end Tipp’s wides had increased to eight. Dublin had five including a Cian Sullivan free close to half time. Half time Tipp 0-17 Dublin 0-9.

Dubin came more into the game in the second half as Cian O’Sullivan punished Tipp’s indiscretions with five of Dublin’s first six points. The only redeeming feature for Tipp was Sean Ryan’s well-taken goal in the 44th minute. A Gearoid O’Connor 65 made it 1-19 to 0-16 before Whitley scored his second point. Another Whitley point left four between the teams but two O’Connor scores, the first a line ball gave Tipp a six point cushion after 55 minutes.

However, a Jake Morris goal eased any pressure, and he added two quick points to give Tipp a 2-23 to 0-19 lead after 59 minutes.

Tipp had enough in the tank to be composed from there on with Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan, and Bryan O’Mara were in command. Jake Morris was Tipp’s top scorer from play with 1-4 while Gearoid Connor scored 0-11 (9 frees).

Dublin had no real answers except for substitute Ferghal Whittle who scored three from play. Much depended also on Cian O’Sullivan from placed balls as his tally mounted to 0-13.

As the game concluded Gearoid O’Connor and Joe Fogarty tacked on late scores to see Tipp through for their first league points on day one.

TEAMS - Dublin: Eddie Gibbons; Mark Grogan, Paddy Smyth, John Bellew; Darragh Power, Conor Donohoe, Daire Gray; Conor Burke, Jake Malone; Brian Hayes, Ronan Hayes, Sean Currie; Diarmaid O Dulaing, Cian O’Sullivan, Paul Crummy.

Subs: James Madden for Grogan (24 inj); Fergal Whitley for R Hayes (34); Davy Keogh for Malone (44); Sam Gallagher for Currie (64).

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers, Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill), Robert Byrne (Portroe), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy); Willie Connors (Kiladangan, Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs); Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Alan Tynan (Roscrea); Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons).

Subs: Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Tynan (56); Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) for J McGrath (51); Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og) for Connolly (60); Joe Fogarty (Moneygall) for Connors (65); Patrick Maher (Lorrha) for Ormond (67).

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway).