Tipp survive first-half scare - report

Tipperary 1-25 Antrim 2-12

Tipperary remain on course for the retention of the Liam McCarthy Cup despite a first-half scare against Antrim which saw the Ulster minnows grab two goals.

The All-Ireland champions got off to a dream start and had a three point to no score lead after six minutes.

However Dinny Cahill's men settled in the seventh minute with their opening score and an explosive first-half ensued.

Antrim stormed into the game as a Brian McFall goal was disallowed for carrying the sliotar over the line.

The goal proved to be a sweetener for the Ulster champions as 19-year-old Liam Watson found the net minutes later to give his side the lead.

Tipp regained the upper hand but were rattled as McFall caused trouble for their backline and the champions' half-forward line was taken out of the game by the Ulstermen.

Points from Brian O'Meara, Eoin Kelly and captain Tommy Dunne gave Tipp the advantage but Antrim were not going to go down without a fight.

Liam Richmond grabbed their second goal just before the break to leave Tipp in arrears and a shock on the cards as Antrim went to the dressingroom 2-06 to 0-10 ahead.

Nicky English rang in the changes at the break and Micheal Ryan and Eddie Enright immediately made an impression.

Eoin Kelly drew first blood in the second-half, but his score was cancelled out by a Paddy Richmond strike.

Antrim did not score again from play for almost 20 minutes yet Tipperary failed to dispose of the Ulster threat until the final 10.

Eugene O'Neill came off the sideline for the Premier County and within five minutes the Munster finalists had put eight points between the sides - a goal and a point from O'Neill.

The Tipperary goal killed any chance of a comeback as they went on to record a 10-point win, and a semi-final pairing with Kilkenny, after a match that was far closer than the scoreline suggested.