Meagher puts up stout defence to put Tipp into semi-final

IT was not as clear-cut as their momentous Munster final triumph four weeks ago but it was the qualities of grit and perseverance that saw Tipperary dig out a win over Meath in yesterday’s All-Ireland MFC quarter-final in O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.

This was a hugely notable triumph for football in the Premier County as they advanced to a semi-final meeting with Roscommon on August 21, the first time they will contest the last four of the competition since 1995.

More critically, they ended a succession of defeats at the quarter-final stage over the past decade.

“It was our fifth quarter-final in 10 years and after the Munster final win we’ve reached another milestone by winning here today,” said Tipperary boss David Power.

On a difficult day for football due to the greasy underfoot conditions, Tipperary produced an admirable level of composure to stave off the dogged challenge posed by Meath.

With four minutes left, Meath had cut the gap to 0-8 to 0-7 and were pushing hard for a levelling point. Tipperary weathered the storm though, and produced the goods in front of goal when it mattered most.

First, Michael Quinlivan tapped over a free after he was felled near goal and then the Clonmel Commercials youngster crowned a brilliant display when he hooked a superb shot over his shoulder between the posts.

Centre-back Dylan Fitzelle rounded off the game in injury-time when he arrowed over a point from distance.

In a game where scores were hard to come by, that late spree by Tipperary was decisive. Considering that they only managed to register one point in the first 27 minutes of the game, Tipperary turned around their attacking fortunes to a remarkable extent after that and shot six points in the last 20 minutes.

They were forced to line out without their scoring star from the provincial decider, TJ Ryan, due to illness with John McGrath, younger brother of senior hurling star Noel, stepping into the breach. Ryan did come on as a late substitute but in his absence Tipperary coped, with Quinlivan particularly to the fore.

Tipperary’s defensive qualities were also integral to this success. In a tight first half which saw the teams locked together at 0-3 apiece at the break, Meath threatened their rearguard at various stages with Bobby O’Brien and Brian McMahon both showing well.

However. Tipperary managed to limit the amount of scores they leaked with excellent hassling of Meath players in possession, as wing-backs Colin O’Riordan and Seamus Kennedy impressed.

The real standout was full-back John Meagher, who dominated in the air and on the ground and ensured Meath never got a chance to draw level entering the final minutes.

“When the pressure came on today lads really stepped up,” said Power. “We didn’t play particularly well today but we battled well and it was about grinding out the result.”

Scorers for Tipperary: M Quinlivan 0-4 (2f); P Quirke 0-2 (2f); B Maher, I Fahey (1f), S O’Brien, D Fitzelle, C O’Riordan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: B McMahon 0-4 (3f); B O’Brien, O Sheridan, A Forde 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: G Slattery; N Sullivan, J Meagher, C O’Sullivan; C O’Riordan, D Fitzelle, S Kennedy; S O’Brien, I Fahey; G Henry, P Quirke, B Maher; L McGrath, M Quinlivan, J McGrath.

Subs: J Lonergan for Henry (49), TJ Ryan for Fahey (58), J Martin for Quinlivan (63).

MEATH: R Burlingham; C Finn, C McGill, O Fitzpatrick; A Forde, P Harnan, S Melia; S McEntee, A Flanagan; O Sheridan, B O’Brien, S Sheridan; B McMahon, C O’Sullivan, W McGrath.

Subs: E Wallace for S Sheridan (38), C Sheridan for McEntee (43), D Smyth for C Sheridan (49), R Gore for McGill (60), R Farrelly for McGrath (62).

Referee: Niall Ward (Westmeath).