Tipp hurlers look beyond Cork clash

TIPPERARY’S final qualifier round robin clash with old rivals Cork is no longer a priority, Premier coach Michael “Babs” Keating has admitted.

“We’re now totally focused on the quarter-finals of the All-Ireland and our main concern surrounds the horrendous catalogue of injuries we have,” said Keating, after his side, following a hesitant opening, steam-rolled their way to a nine-point victory over Dublin at Parnell Park on Saturday.

“Eoin Kelly sustained a groin injury, Paul Curran received one of the ugliest facial injuries I have seen,” frowned Keating. “His jaw is out like a balloon and he has a few teeth missing also.

“Getting these lads fit again, as well as Paul Kelly, before the quarter final is the main objective,” said Keating after Tipp capitalised on disastrous defending to coast home in the end.

It was all so different early on when the hosts, aided by a stiff wind, really put it up to their opponents. Centre back Ronan Fallon and midfielder Joey Boland were herculean figures as the Dubs tore into Tipp.

Tipp were hounded and harassed all over the park, and looked less than assured. Admitted Keating: “I always knew this was going to be a struggle. We lost Eoin Kelly early on after he had scored three points, one of which was the best I have ever witnessed. His departure meant our attack became disjointed. But I thought our goalkeeper Gerry Kennedy and our backs were outstanding in the first half when Dublin really threw down the gauntlet.”

After the unfortunate Kelly gave Tipp a lightning start with two points in the opening sequences, one from play and one from a free, Dublin held their nerve and were ahead by a point at the end of the first quarter following a sublime strike from wing forward Ross O’Carroll.

But Tipp, following the successful introduction of Darragh Egan at full forward for the injured Kelly, hit three points on the trot, one from Lar Corbett and two by Willie Ryan at the end of the first half to lead by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.

After the resumption Dublin set about ruffling Tipp’s feathers. Wing forwards Ross O’Carroll and Keith Dunne hit two superb points to level the game. Willie Ryan edged Tipp into the lead with a point from a free but substitute Peader Carton set Dublin alight with a fantastic opportunist goal in the 44th minute.

Credit to Tipp, the Premier upped it a notch and two points from Darragh Egan and chief marksman Willie Ryan tied matters for a sixth time, in the 46th minute.

Then calamity for Dublin. Full back Stephen Hiney failed to clear his line and quick as a flash, Corbett was in to score a gift goal which turned the whole occasion.

“Make no mistake, that was the turning point,” nodded Dublin manager Tommy Naughton. “It was a silly mistake, just one of the many we made, particularly in the basics. At this level you cannot expect to survive if you are not able to get the fundamentals right. We hit 11 wides in the first half. You just cannot win major games with that kind of inaccuracy.”

Following Corbett’s decisive goal Tipperary took control and with Willie Ryan taking over the free-taking duties from Eoin Kelly, scoring eight points in the process, and adding two from play, Tipp won in the end pulling up.