Scroope helps Tipp into commanding lead

Down 0-3 Tipperary 1-12 - half-time

Burgess forward Tony Scroope has been the star of the show at a wet O'Moore Park, as his first minute goal has helped Munster champions Tipperary to a 1-12 to 0-3 lead over Down in the first of the Erin All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-finals.

Scroope has bagged 1-6, including five frees, as Tipp have totally dominated a Down side, who took all of 21 minutes to score their first point.

Senior stars Brendan McGourty and Garrett Johnson, who returned from holidaying in America earlier this week, are the Ulster champions' only scorers.

Down: R Murray; D Coffey, J Doherty, C Braniff; C Coulter, A Dynes, M Ennis; D McCusker, D Flynn; J McCusker, B McGarrity, G Flynn; P Smith, E Clarke, M Gilmore. Sub used: G Johnson for D Flynn (19 mins)

Tipperary: P McCormack; A Morrissey, C O'Mahoney, H Moloney; D Walton, D Fitzgerald, E Hanley; J Caesar, W Cully; S McGrath, S Sweeney, P Buckley; T Scroope, T Fitzgerald, E Sweeney.

Referee: E Morris (Dublin)

Scorers: Down: B McGourty 0-02 (2f), G Johnson 0-1

Tipperary: T Scroope 1-6 (5f), T Fitzgerald 0-2, S Sweeney, E Sweeney, M Buckley, J Caesar (1 ’45) 0-1 each