David Power seeks huge Tipperary improvement for Clare clash after retaining Division 3 status

Leitrim's Keith Beirne in action against Tipperary players, from left, Liam Casey, Jason Lonergan, Jimmy Feehan, Alan Campbell, and Jack Kennedy at Avantcard Páirc Sean Mac Diarmada. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Allianz FL Division 4: Tipperary 2-11 Leitrim 0-15 

Goals in each half by Kevin O’Halloran and Liam Casey secured Tipperary's Division 3 status - and relegated their Letirim opponents - in this tense Allianz League clash at Carrick-on-Shannon.

Tipperary led by 1-5 to 0-7 at the interval but points by Conor Dolan and Cillian Dolan had the hosts two clear by the 45th minute. 

Over the next two minutes, Tipperary sub Liam Boland shot two points to level matters for a fourth time and the visitors drove on from there with Casey's goal ending the game as a contest.

The nervy performance leaves Tipperary manager David Power with a few serious headaches in advance of their Munster championship clash with Clare next Sunday in Semple Stadium, and he acknowledged that scraping over the line against Leitrim is not the type of form needed to take on Division 2 opposition.

“We all know we didn’t play well today, and in order to get a performance next Sunday, we’ll have to improve by a huge amount,” he said after the game, with midfield issues a particular concern.

“The number eight (Donal Wrynn) for Leitrim was very good and he caught a lot of ball. We lost our way there, but at least we fought back and that was the pleasing thing for us. At times there was a lack of movement, but a lot of that is down to Leitrim doing their homework as well. That’s a thing that we’re going to have to work on during the week.”

A return to action for Stephen O’Brien would be one obvious remedy, but as of yet he doesn’t know if the Ballina player will be available for selection. Philip Austin also remains an injury doubt after playing no part in Sunday’s win.

“At the minute it’s very hard to tell for both of them, it’s going to be touch and go. Hopefully, we’ll know more by Wednesday night.

“The pleasing thing for us is that we went two points down and it looked like we were in bother, but we came back. I thought last Sunday (against Offaly) was a way more composed performance.

“In one way it’s good that there was pressure on last weekend’s game. I know people would say there wasn’t because ultimately it was always going to come down to today, but it was important to get a win and it’s been great preparation for the championship to have two good matches.

“Today was about getting the win and making sure we didn’t go down, but we need to find more now.”

Scorers for Tipperary: K O’Halloran & L. Casey 1-0) each; C. Sweeney (0-3, 3f); B. Fox, L. Boland & J. Kennedy (2f) (0-2) each; C. Kennedy & M. Quinlivan (0-1) each.

Scorers for Leitrim: K. Beirne (0-6, 5f); C. Dolan (0-4, frees); C. McGloin, S. Quinn, R. O’ Rourke, D. Rooney & E Sweeney (0-1) each.

TIPPERARY: E. Comerford, A. Campbell, J. Feehan, C. Shaughnessy; B. Maher, K. Fahey, R. Kiely; C. Kennedy, L. Casey; J. Kennedy, M. Quinlivan, B. Fox; K. O’ Halloran, C. Sweeney, R. Quigley.

Subs: L. Boland for Quigley (46);Conal Kennedy & C. Ryan for O’Halloran (55); E. Maloney for Fox (60).

LEITRIM: B. Flynn; D. Casey, P. Maguire, C. Reynolds; A. Flynn, J Gilheaney, C. McGloin; D. Wrynn; M. Plunkett; S. Quinn, K. Beirne, D. Flynn; C. Dolan, R. O’Rourke, D. Rooney 

Subs: E. Sweeney for Plunkett (HT); N. Brady for Rooney (55); O. McCaffrey for O’Rourke (60); D. Bruen for McGloin (75).

Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh).