Terrific Tipp in overdrive

Tipperary 2-16, Offaly 2-11

It wasn't that Tipperary merely went through the motions, but once Brian O'Meara's 31st minute goal settled them, they stayed in control all the way to the finish. Brave Offaly conjured up two goals but they came too late and offered little consolation.

Tipperary started slowly enough, but goalkeeper Brendan Cummins denied the midlanders the early goal they needed when he put his body in the way of a low shot from team captain Gary Hanniffy in the 6th minute. After 13 minutes play Offaly enjoyed a two points lead, but it was significant that after Thomas Dunne levelled scores (at 0-4 each) six minutes later from the first of two expertly-struck 70's, Offaly were never lead again.