Tipp finish strongly to see off Dubs

Tipperary 2-19 Dublin 4-11, Semple Stadium

A strong finish helped Tipperary see off a stern challenge from Dublin at Semple Stadium this afternoon for a win which moves them level on points with Kilkenny at the top of NHL Division 1.

The defending champions beat hurling's new pretenders as Tony Scroope initiated a late run of scores for the victorious home side.

It was a hard-fought win, however, and Tipp, who were soundly beaten by Kilkenny last time out, leaked goals to David Treacy (2), Alan McCrabbe and David O'Callaghan.

The Premier county side led by 2-10 to 2-5 at half-time, with Seamus Callinan finishing off a powerful 15th-minute run with a well-taken goal.

Tipp hit four points in quick succession before O'Callaghan ended a 15-minute scoreless period for Dublin, whose opening points came from Shane Durkin, McCrabbe and substitute Treacy.

Substitute Gearoid Ryan collected a goal after his speculative ball in towards the Dublin square was misjudged by goalkeeper Gary Maguire and it nestled into the back of the net.

Treacy responded with Dublin's opening major, firing home after four quick hand-passes between his team-mates.

And a run of three points from the impressive Seamus Hennessy was cancelled out, before the break, by Treacy.

The Dubs put the pressure on again, on the resumption, when they scored 1-3 in a four-minute spell.

Tipp opened the second half with two points but McCrabbe's goal and points from Treacy and also McCrabbe showed Anthony Daly's men were very much in contention to take another scalp.

Callinan helped steady Tipp for a while but O'Callaghan, set up by Liam Rushe, found the net on 58 minutes to move the Dubs ahead at 4-9 to 2-13.

The sides lost a player apiece to yellow cards - Micheal Webster for Tipp and Dublin had to replace Maurice O'Brien - and the hosts seemed to cope better, particularly after Lar Corbett's introduction.

A late surge from Tipp helped them over the finish line as Dublin, despite two late frees from O'Callaghan, fell to a narrow defeat.