Tipp suffer heavy Tailteann defeat to Sligo

Tipperary’s senior footballers suffered their second defeat of the Tailteann Cup at home on Sunday on Saturday when Sligo turned in another fine showing to maintain their winning sequence in the competition.

GAA: Tailteann Cup Group 2 Round 2

Tipperary1-12

Sligo 3-22

Report: Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Niall Murphy (Sligo)

SCORERS - Tipperary: Evan Comerford (frees); Sean O’Connor 0-4 each; Stephen Grogan 1-0; Mark Russell 0-2; Peter McGarry, Conor Sweeney (free) 0-1 each.

Sligo: Niall Murphy 2-6 (1-1 frees); Sean Carrabine 1-3 (0-2 frees); Darragh Cummins, Patrick O’Connor 0-4 each; Mark Walsh 0-2; Mikey Gordon, Nathan Mullen, Paul Kilcoyne 0-1 each.

The result was never really in doubt as the travelling side showed far greater energy, hunger, and application from the off – their running game caused all sorts of problems for a Tipperary side which looked defeated and void of creativity throughout. There certainly was a gulf between the wides in terms of quality and while Tipperary have still to muster a championship victory, Sligo by contrast are flying high at present.

If there had been any optimism as to Tipperary’s prospects in this clash prior to throw-in, they were well and truly dashed by the interval. Sligo had completely dominated proceedings having totally washed out Tipperary in the middle third, thereby allowing plenty of ammunition for their attackers to do their thing – they did with the inside forward line of Gordon, O’Connor, and Murphy accounting for 1-9 of their first half total of 2-11.

It was already a Sligo themed game when the visitors blasted two goals in as many minutes just before half time – the first a penalty from Niall Murphy in the 31st minute to bring his first half tally to 1-5, while the second came a minute later when Sean Carrabine worked his way in from the wing and blasted past Evan Comerford.

Sligo were the better side from the off and they had 0-4 on the board within nine minutes – Niall Murphy, Patrick O’Connor (2) and Nathan Mullen getting on target before Tipp had their first from a Sean O’Connor fisted effort.

Sligo continued to press and could have had a few goals had fortune been their lot. Instead, they had to be content with points from Murphy (4) and Mikey Gordon to leave them 0-9 to 0-2 in front after 22 minutes – Tipp’s second point coming from Sean O’Connor again.

Conor Sweeney and goalkeeper Evan Comerford both had placed ball scores for Tipp to create some temporary momentum, but the two-goal blasted really rocked the Premier back on their heels and they went in at the interval 2-11 to 0-5 in arrears.

It was game over at this stage and the Tipp lads were playing for pride in the second half. In fairness, they did not give up the chase and even though Sligo were still dominant, Tipperary worked hard to contain them.

Sligo’s third goal came six minutes after resumption from Niall Murphy again – the score coming after Tipperary had kicked points through Peter McGarry and Comerford to start the second half in a positive mind frame.

From then onwards it was a case of score for score – a Tipp brace from Sean O’Connor and sub Mark Russell cancelled by Sean Carrabine and Darragh Cummins scores; Russell and Evan Comerford points wiped out by Mark Walsh and Patrick O’Connor’s scores with Sean Carrabine and Darragh Cummins adding in others for good measure.

Tipp had a consolation goal late on when Stephen Grogan turned in a Luke Boland pass to the net and the home side finished with a bit of a flurry though they failed to take the chances created.

The only negative from a Sligo viewpoint was the dismissal of sub Keelan Cawley who received two yellow cards and was gone by the 55th minute. The numerical disadvantage didn’t make any difference though – Sligo were already well home and hosed.

TEAMS - Tipperary: Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan/Kilcash); Tadhg Condon (Clonmel Commercials), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule), Emmet Moloney (Portlaoise), Stephen Grogan (Cahir), Conall Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Teddy Doyle (Ballina), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Peter McGarry (Clonmel Commercials), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials), Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen), Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen).

Subs: Eoghan Power (Ballina) for Brennan (HT); Mark Russell (Aherlow) for Doyle (HT); Shane O’Connell (Golden Kilfeacle) for Condon (43); Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) for J Feehan (48); Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields) for McGarry (59).

Sligo: Aidan Devaney; Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Luke Casserly; Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins, Nathan Mullen; Paul Kilcoyne, Canice Mulligan; Lee Deignan, Alan McLoughlin, Sean Carrabine; Mikey Gordon, Patrick O’Connor, Niall Murphy.

Subs: Keelan Cawley for Gordon (HT); Eoghan Smith for Deignan (HT); Mark Walsh for Murphy (48); Peter Laffey for Mullen (51); Shane Deignan for Mulligan (67).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)