Creedon laments misses in stirring display

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary manager Peter Creedon admitted to being “exhausted” after watching his charges upset the odds to secure a draw against a hotly fancied Armagh in the All-Ireland Senior Championship on Saturday.

He had good reason to be having endured a gut-wrenching closing ten minutes as Armagh reeled in the Tipperary girls who looked set to topple the division 1 league champions, a side short-listed for outright success in the championship.

Like in all tight games there were “buts”, and while the Thurles Sarsfields clubman was happy to take a point, he logged the chances Tipp missed when they were three up, coming down the home straight as opportunities lost to extend the Tipp lead and put the game out of Armagh’s reach.

“We had our chances to go four points clear after we got the two goals but did not take them. That cost us the win,” Creedon admitted.

“The two goals were huge for us and put us in a very strong position but look the draw was a great result for us and it keeps us in the championship fight.”

Asked if he considered it Tipp’s best display this year he said: “The girls have been playing well all year and there is great fight in them.

Aisling’s (Moloney) carding left us a player short for ten minutes, but they coped with it, and they also dealt with the situation when our goalkeeper Lauren (Fitzpatrick) got carded at the end. You cannot question their commitment. They are a great group of girls.”

It was an intense encounter all through and some decisions by referee Anthony Marron did not meet with the approval of the Tipp support. Even Creedon drew an admonishment from the Monaghan whistler but at the end it was smiles and handshakes all round.

A point lost or a point gained? The debate will continue when the squad resumes training this week, but morale has to be high after this hugely encouraging result.

Next up for Tipp is a clash with Meath when the Tipp girls will probably go in again as underdogs. Tipp need just a point to qualify for the All-Ireland quarter-finals, but it won’t be easy.

The manager is well, aware of the task facing the team, but added, “If we get through to the quarter-finals it will be magic.”