McCarthy Penalty goal helps ease Tipp past Wexford

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1A Round 2

Tipperary 1-22

Wexford 0-19

Report: Noel Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

Photos: Bridget Delaney

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Eoghan Connolly (Tipperary)

SCORERS - Tipperary: Darragh McCarthy 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6 frees); Willie Connors 0-3; Jake Morris, Eoghan Connolly 0-2 each; Michael Breen, Gavin O’Halloran, Craig Morgan, Andrew Ormond, Jason Forde, John McGrath, Oisin O’Donoghue, Johnny Ryan 0-1 each.

Wexford: Cian Byrne 0-7 (6 frees); Jack Redmond 0-3 (1 free); Darren Codd, Mark Fanning (frees) 0-2 each; Corey Byrne Dunbar, Richie Lawlor, Conor Hearne, Connal Flood, Simon Roche 0-1 each.

Two more points on the board for the Tipperary senior hurlers in the Allianz League on Sunday as they swept aside visitors Wexford in a game which really failed to spark, did not excite many spectators who came to see their players at home for the first time in seven months.

Liam Cahill’s men added to their opening round win and handed league debuts to a number of new players also ahead of their much-anticipated clash with neighbours Limerick next weekend. However, the vast majority of those who attended would be of the view that far greater intensity and energy will be required for round 3 if any points are to be pilfered from Pairc na nGael.

It was a case of job done as Tipperary gave experienced defender Seamus Kennedy his first start of the campaign having returned from a cruciate knee ligament injury – slotting in at wing back in the place of Sam O’Farrell who made an impressive debut in the opening round against Galway.

It was a perfect day for hurling but the pitch in FBD Semple Stadium did cut up badly enough under the Old Stand side – Ardán Uí Riain was closed due to slight snowstorm damage – but it didn’t prevent the majority of the Tipperary scores from coming from that side of the pitch.

The Premier men led 0-12 to 0-8 at the interval with five points from the stick of Darragh McCarthy from placed balls, while the midfield pairing of Willie Connors (2) and Craig Morgan accounted for three – full back Eoghan Connolly, half back Gavin O’Halloran and attacker Jason Forde getting one apiece.

The 5,125 spectators were not exactly sitting on the edge of their seats during the first half, as Tipperary kept Wexford at arm’s length. Several goal chances did go abegging too with a Jake Morris effort saved by Mark Fanning and a second for Craig Morgan well hooked – a goal from either attack would have put distance between them, but instead Wexford just managed to keep in touch.

The visitors, who had suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Cork in the first round, were three points in arrears on a few occasions in the first half, but they battled back time and again with Cian Byrne keeping them in touch from placed balls. Jack Redmond had two for them while Conor Hearne, Darren Codd and Connal Flood were also on target in a game which had failed to spark in the first half.

The story was not much different in the second half as Tipperary continued to keep Wexford at arm’s length. They had both added on four points apiece through Andrew Ormond, sub Oisin O’Donoghue, Darragh McCarthy and another huge one from Eoghan Connolly for Tipp and Cian Byrne (3 frees) and Darren Codd, when a significant moment arrived in the match.

A Darragh McCarthy penalty for Tipp in the 59th minute, after Craig Morgan was dragged back, extended the Premier advantage to eight points and from then onwards there was never a doubt about the result – Jake Morris grabbing another point just before the Morgan incident.

Wexford actually outscored Tipperary from then until the end with Cian Byrne, goalkeeper Mark Fanning (2), Jack Redmond, subs Simon Roche and Corey Byrne-Dunbar, and Richie Lawlor all finding the posts.

However, tut the damage had been done and the scores of Tipp subs John McGrath and Johnny Ryan, as well as Michael Breen, Darragh McCarthy and Willie Connors were sufficient to see out a six-point lead – the winning margin doing little to reflect the distance between the sides.

Tipp ended up with twelve scorers while Wexford had eight – an indication of the pattern of the game. But, credit would have to go to the Wexford lads who battled and fought right to the very end even though the result was well beyond them from an early stage.

Full analysis and reaction in this Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian

TEAMS - Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Robert Doyle (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), Michael Breen (Ballina); Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s), Brian McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Gavin O’Halloran (Carrick Swan); Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Willie Connors (Kiladangan); Josh Keller (Nenagh Eire Og), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og, Capt), Alan Tynan (Roscrea); Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), Jason Forde (Silvermines), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara).

Subs: Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for Keller (HT); John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Ormond (46); Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy) for Forde (52); Michael Corcoran (Silvermines) for Kennedy (60); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers) for Tynan (65).

Wexford: Mark Fanning; Eoin Ryan, Simon Donohue, Niall Murphy; Charlie McGuckin, Conor Foley, Richie Lawlor; Conor Hearne, David Codd; Darren Codd, Jack Redmond, Tomas Kinsella; Cian Byrne, Seamus Casey, Connal Flood.

Subs: Jack O’Connor for Kinsella (33); Corey Byrne Dunbar for David Codd (39); Mikie Dwyer for Flood (51); Simon Roche for Casey (61); Cillian Byrne for Byrne (64).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).