O’Leary the hero as Tipp Inst coast to facile win

Tipperary Institute 5-13

Operating at centre forward, O’Leary showed his undoubted class scoring 2-7 as the Tipperary side won their first title at this level.

While O’Leary was undoubtedly the star of the show, there were others who almost made significant contributions to this historic victory.

Mick Hassett chipped in with two excellent goals, while Seamus Butler added 1-3, while goalkeeper Austin Cooney, defenders Seamus O’Keeffe and Willie Carroll and midfielder Eamon Touhy were also hugely impressive for the winners.

Former Tipperary All-Ireland winning captain Tommy Dunne who is a selector with the winners, said a couple of early goals seemed to knock the heart out of Athlone and it was all plain sailing for most of the hour.

“We are new to all this and it’s great for the lads to sample hurling at this level.

“It’s our ambition to play in the Fitzgibbon one day, but that a bit down the road yet.

“It’s great to have a facility like the institute in the county and who knows, one day we’ll be contest Fitzgibbon Cup finals. For now we’ll settle for the Ryan Cup”.

Given that Athlone took Tipperary to extra time in the league before the latter won by a brace of points, it’s hard to understand their total collapse in this final.

This game was over as a contest after 12 minutes after Michael Hassett and Mark O’Leary scored a goal each.

And it got worse for the midlanders as the half wore on. Unable to contain the brilliant O’Leary, Tipperary finished the half with three further goals to lead 5-6 to 0-4 at half time.

Tipp continued to rule the roost on the change over and Mark O’Leary opted to take his point from a penalty in the 32nd minute.

Credit to Athlone, however, for they refused to throw in the towel, and a Colin Fahy goal and a couple of points put a more respectable look on the scoreboard.

However, despite the best efforts of Barry Teehan, David O’Shaughnessy, Dave McEvoy and Kevin Brisco, the gap proved too great for Athlone.

Scorers for Tipperary: M. O’Leary 2-7 (0-4 frees); M. Hassett 2-0; S. Butler 1-3; S. Breen, E. Shortt, E. Touhy 0-1 each.

Athlone: D. O’Shaughnessy 0-3; C. Fahy 1-0; D. McEvoy, K. O’Reilly, N. Corcoran 0-2 each; K. Brisco, D. Dernan 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: A. Cooney; P. Gleeson, S. O’Keefe, W. Carroll; N. McLoughlin, M. Costelloe, D. Breen; E. Touhy, J. Murphy; P. Ryan, M. O’Leary, C. McNamara; E. Shortt, S. Butler, M. Hassett.

Subs. K. Butler for Costelloe; C. O’Flaherty for Murphy; S. Carey for McLoughlin; S. Walsh for McNamara; N. Murphy for Ryan.

ATHLONE: L. Grady; A. Flaherty, G. Mullins, C. O’Brien; J. Flynn, D. Qualter, B. Teehan; N. Corcoran, K. Brisco; M. McNicholas, K. O’Reilly, E. Lynam; D. McEvoy, C. Fahy, D. O’Brien. Subs. D. O’Shaughnessy for O’Brien; D. Dernan for Lynam; G. Hogan for Qualter.

Referee: J. Sexton (Limerick).