Tipp fall to last gasp London strike

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 4 Round 4

Tipperary 0-17

London 2-13

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Ciaran Diver (London)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Sean O’Connor 0-9 (1x2p, 5 frees); Mark Russell 0-3 (1x2p); Michael Barlow (1x2), Cian Smith 0-2 each; Luke Boland 0-1.

London: Ciaran Diver 1-3; Liam Gallagher 0-4 (1x2p); Shay Rafter 1-1; Tadhg Barry 0-2; Kristian Healy, Paddy Dolan (free), Thomas Lenihan 0-1 each.

Tipperary’s unbeaten run in division 4 of the Allianz National Football League came to a frustrating end at on Saturday evening as London flew home with both points thanks to an injury time two-pointer with the last kick of the game.

It was a cruel blow to the home side who had worked so hard to atone for two first half goals conceded in a six-minute spell and which cruelly exposed frailties in the Tipp rearguard in countering the speedy counter-attacks by the visitors.

Tipp should have got something from the game but paid the price for not putting the contest beyond London’s reach despite a distinct territorial advantage for extended periods but a lack of incisiveness in front of goal hurt them and leaves them with a lot of work to do in their remaining games to maintain their push for promotion.

With seven points from their opening three games, Tipp were in a strong position facing a London side which had lost at home to Limerick in round 3 and things were going well as they pushed 0-6 to 0-1 clear after twenty minutes. It might have been more but Michael Barlow’s lobbed effort for a goal with London keeper Andrew Walsh off his line in the nineteenth minute bounced over the bar for a two-pointer.

Tipp were comfortably on top but all that changed rapidly. In the 22nd minute London’s Ciaran Diver shook off three tackles to burst through for a goal, and six minutes later, wingback Kristian Healy was allowed to travel unchallenged for sixty metres before offering Shay Rafter the easiest of tap ins for a second London goal that levelled the game, 2-1 to 0-7.

And it got worse as London added two further points before the break for an interval lead of 2-3 to 0-7.

It took Tipp eleven minutes of the second half to level, 0-11 to 2-5, four Sean O’Connor points (1 2-pointer) doing the necessary as London shot two points.

From there to the finish, it was gripping stuff. Tipp were on top but couldn’t put London away. On 55 minutes the sides were level 0-13 to 2-7 and on 65 minutes they were tied at 0-16 to 2-10, but Mark Russell’s two pointer edged Tipp ahead as the clock wound down.

Cian Smith’s point in the 67th minute put Tipp ahead again after London once more equalised but in injury time Thomas Lenihan brought the Exiles on terms with a share of the spoils likely.

There was still time for more drama as Tipp lost possession inside their own half and Liam Gallagher kicked a two pointer in what proved to be the last action of the game.

Heart-break for Tipp who were fancied to succeed and who now face daunting games against Limerick next week with clashes against Wexford and Wicklow to follow.

Sean O’Connor was Tipp’s best player, but more is needed from his attacking colleagues. Luke Boland, Jimmy Feehan, Mikey O’Shea, and Cian Smith were others to do well.

London has the best player on the field in Ciaran Diver with Daniel Clarke, Liam Gallagher, Kristian Healy, and Conal Gallagher others to shine.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Shane Ryan (Clonmel Commercials 6); Manus McFadden (Grangemockler/Ballyneale 6), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 7), Jack Harney (Moyle Rovers 6); Tadhg Condon (Clonmel Commercials 6), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers 7), Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6); Cathal Deeley (Clonmel Commercials 6), Mark Russell (Aherlow 7); Micheal Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6), Mikey O’Shea (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone 7), Jack Nevin (JK Brackens 6); Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials 7), Michael Barlow (Ardfinnan 7), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 9).

Subs: Emmet Moloney (Portlaoise 6) for Harney (34); Ben Comerford (Grangemockler/Ballyneale 6) for Freaney (HT), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule 6) for Nevin (40); Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen 6) for Barlow (57); Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields) for Condon (62).

London: Andrew Walsh (6); Eoin Walsh (6), Sean Taylor (6), Nathan McElwaine (6); Conal Gallagher (7), Darragh Mooney (6), Kristian Healy (7); Aidan McLoughlin (6), Liam Gallagher (7); Tadhg Barry (6), Daniel Clarke (7); Ciaran Diver (8); Shay Rafter (7), Paddy Dolan (6), Joshua Obahor (6).

Subs: DJ O’Flaherty (6) for Obahor (43); Thomas Lenihan (6) for Dolan (54); Sean Tucker (6) for McLoughlin (59); Mathew Walsh (6) for McKeon (62).

Referee: Christopher Ryan (Galway)