Dubs take Premier scalp

Dublin 1-16 Tipperary 1-15

Conal Keaney produced a talismanic display as he helped Dublin edge past All-Ireland champions Tipperary at Croke Park this evening.

Keaney scored 0-14 as the Dubs handed Tipp their second defeat in this year's National League.

Declan O'Dwyer (15 minutes) and John O'Neill (28) swapped goals as Dublin took a 1-10 to 1-09 lead into the break.

Eoin Kelly was introduced for Declan Ryan's men who got back level by the hour mark, but another pointed free from Keaney was enough to seal Dublin’s first win in Division 1.

Alan McCrabbe provided the inspiration for Anthony Daly’s side when they had nine points to spare over Tipperary in the corresponding fixture last year.

A hip problem has McCrabbe currently sidelined, so it was left to former dual star Keaney to take centre stage on a pitch so familiar to him as a Leinster title-winning footballer.

The Dubs, who drew with Waterford last Sunday, welcomed back Joey Boland at centre-back and had ex-Tipp player Ryan O’Dwyer on their bench.

The All-Ireland champions, still smarting from an opening night loss to Kilkenny, made five changes in personnel, the last of which saw captain Conor O’Mahony withdrawn before the throw-in.

Michael Gleeson took over from O’Mahony, Paul Curran led the side from full-back and 2010 All-Star Eoin Kelly was added to the substitutes just a week after his wedding.

David O’Callaghan turned past Michael Cahill and set up an opening free which Keaney pointed. Heavy fog set in during the opening half and made playing conditions particularly difficult.

It is a credit to both sets of players that the fog did not have a greater impact as the game cantered along at a good pace and the scores continued to arrive.

By the 11-minute mark, the sides were level at 0-04 apiece. Pa Bourke, with a superb sideline cut and a point from play, Shane McGrath and Michael Gleeson landed Tipp’s first points.

Keaney was leading the scoring charge for the Dubs, his fourth point coming from play.

Then, on the quarter hour, Declan O’Dwyer grabbed the game’s first goal. The centre-forward caught the ball and raced away from Curran before sending a low shot past goalkeeper Darren Gleeson.

John O’Neill and Brendan Maher replied with points for the visitors and two more from O’Neill and Bourke, in response to Keaney’s fifth, had Ryan’s charges back on terms (1-05 to 0-08).

Boland added a snappy point from play and Keaney claimed his sixth, darting away from Maher and Cahill.

Tipperary hit back immediately to take the lead. O’Neill, the sharpest of the Tipp forwards in the opening half, got on the end of a long clearance and netted with a powerful shot off his right.

It was Dublin’s turn to raise the tempo, Keaney landing two frees and Liam Rushe using his power and pace to finish off an excellent individual score.

Keaney also had a close range shot saved by Gleeson after a charging run from substitute Ryan O’Dwyer, who was introduced for Shane Ryan on the half hour mark.

Bourke closed out the first half’s score with a ‘65’ in injury-time, leaving the minimum between the sides at the interval.

Tipp were missing a number of their Liam MacCarthy Cup winners, but this should not take away from what was a strong first half display from Dublin.

It set the tone for the remainder of the match and although the quality of hurling dropped, with Dublin hitting six wides in the closing 22 minutes, Daly can still take many positives from the game.

They missed out on a second goal when Gleeson denied O’Callaghan at close range, following a good set-up by Peadar Carton.

Keaney’s sharpshooting form continued, before the introduction of Eoin Kelly saw Tipp rally. Shane McGrath, Brian O’Meara and Bourke got their side back on terms at 1-14 apiece.

John McCaffrey set up Keaney to nudge Dublin ahead again and they kept hold of the lead after Bourke and Keaney swapped frees.

The Ballyboden St. Enda’s clubman’s strike in the 62nd minute proved to be the match-winning score, as O’Neill and O’Callaghan hit late wides.