Tipp remain perfect in seeing off Dublin

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A Round 3

Dublin 0-24

Tipperary2-23

Report: Shane Brophy at Croke Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Donal Burke (Dublin)

SCORERS – Dublin: Donal Burke 0-15 (0-6 frees, 0-1 65); Alex Considine 0-3; Daire Gray, Conor Burke, Chris O’Leary, Joe Flanagan (free), Paul Crummey, Sean Currie 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-10 (0-8 frees); Gearoid O’Connor 0-4 (2 frees); Mark Kehoe 0-3; Conor Bowe 1-0; Seamus Kennedy, Alan Tynan 0-2 each; Brian McGrath, Jake Morris 0-1 each.

Tipperary continued their 100% start to the National Hurling League as they pulled away from Dublin in the second half of their round 3 clash on Saturday evening.

Second half goals from substitute Conor Bowe and top-scorer Jason Forde proved to be the key scores as the visitor’s greater efficiency proved the difference over a Dublin side who shot fourteen wides, and had the game’s best player in Donal Burke, who contributed fifteen points, eight coming from play in a terrific personal contribution.

Burke scored six points from play in the opening half in which Dublin dominated chances and possession with Conor Burke, Daire Gray and full forward Alex Considine among others to the fore.

Tipp weren’t overly reliant on one forward, although Jason Forde did contribute 1-10 of their total, but Mark Kehoe and Gearoid O’Connor were prominent in the opening half as they led 0-14 to 0-13 at the break.

Half time substitute Conor Bowe made an immediate impact with a 39th minute goal, finishing off a fine move begun at wing back by Michael Breen. Dublin responded well with Considine bringing his tally to three from play in a terrific duel with Tipperary’s Bryan O’Mara who was impressive in a new position of full back.

Dublin were still in the game up to the 52nd minute when Tipp struck for their second goal, a long clearance from O’Mara which landed in the square and Jason Forde read it quickest to flick past the advancing Sean Brennan to push Tipp six clear and they were relatively comfortable from there on to the finish.

Next up for Tipperary is a home game with Waterford on Saturday 11th March.

Full report and analysis in next Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian.

TEAMS – Dublin: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Doyle; James Madden, Conor Burke, Daire Gray; Conor Donohoe, Chris O’Leary; Cillian Costello, Danny Sutcliffe, Cian Boland; Donal Burke; Fergal Whitely, Alex Considine.

Subs: Joe Flanagan for Costello (53); Paul Crummey for Considine (56); Donal Leavy for Whitely (61); David Keogh for Sutcliffe (62); Sean Currie for Burke (64 inj).

Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan); Conor McCarthy (Nenagh Eire Og), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers); Michael Breen (Ballina), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Brian McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh); Alan Tynan (Roscrea), Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s); Jason Forde (Silvermines), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).

Subs: Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for McGrath (34 inj); Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy for Stakelum (HT); Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) for Kennedy (56); Patrick Maher (Lorrha) for Forde (62 inj); Cian O’Dwyer (Clonakenny) for O’Connor (68).

Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).