Tipp top but Déise refuse to lie down

TWO happy managers after this Allianz NHL round three game in floodlit Semple Stadium on Saturday evening with both Declan Ryan and Davy Fitzgerald lauding their players.

But — contradictory as it may seem — it was the losing boss who was feeling more satisfied, and with good reason.

First, a synopsis of the game. On a fine evening for hurling, a boisterous crowd of 4,947, Tipp went to the dressing room with a five-point half-time lead (1-12 to 0-10), helped by Paul Kelly’s one-handed close-range poacher’s goal in the 14th minute.