Fast start helps Tipp to victory over Clare

Tipperary now head to Supervalu Pairc Úi Chaoimh next week for their final round game with the knowledge that a victory will put them into a Munster final for the first time since 2021.

Munster U20 FC: Tipperary 2-16 Clare 0-17  

Tipperary got back to winning ways when they overcame the challenge of Clare at Pairc na nGael, New Inn on Tuesday evening, in phase 2, round 2 of the Dalata Hotels Munster Under 20 football championship.

The foundation for this victory was firmly laid in a blistering opening quarter after which they led by 1-9 to 0-3, a nine-point advantage. 

Included in that tally were two-pointers from both Jamie O’Keeffe after four minutes and Thomas Charles in the eighth minute, with the goal coming from the boot of Tommy O’Keeffe after he latched on to a breaking ball three minutes later.

The second quarter saw a big Clare revival, where they outscored the home side by 0-7 to 0-2 in the twelve minutes leading up to the half time break, with Daire Culligan and Sean McMahon sharing the spoils, while Robbie McGrath got down well to prevent a goal-bound shot from Darragh Killeen. 

Tipperary's only reply during that period came from two placed balls, one from Ben Carey after 21 minutes and the second coming from Dylan Cotter just before the break.

The second half was an evenly balanced game but Clare were unable to cut the deficit. Following the restart, Tommy O’Connor split the posts before Sean Fennell kicked a wonderful two-pointer while Darragh Killeen added a minor following an interchange move with Luke Pyne.

Dylan Cotter converted a free as the home side lifted their game, with JP Mbokha Tansia covering acres of ground. He set up the in-form Daithi Hogan for a point on the three-quarter mark to restore a four-point advantage.

The game was effectively wrapped up five minutes from time when Daithi Hogan latched on to a breaking ball in the Clare defence to crash home goal number two at the village end. 

Tipperary now head to Supervalu Pairc Úi Chaoimh next week for their final round game with the knowledge that a victory will put them into a Munster final for the first time since 2021.

Scorers for Tipperary: D Hogan (1-3), P O’Keeffe (1-0), B Carey (0-2, 1f), D Cotter (0-2 frees), T Charles (0-2, 1 tp), J Higgins (0-2), J O’Keeffe (0-2, 1 tp), K Butler (0-1), D O’Connor (0-1), T O’Connor (0-1).

Scorers for Clare: D Culligan (0-4, 1f), S McMahon (0-4), S Fennell (0.3, 1 tp), L Pyne (0-1), D Killeen (0-1), D Keane (0-1), D McMahon (0-1), D Townsend (0-1), C Hill (0-1).

Tipperary: R McGrath (Galtee Rovers), E Bonner (Galtee Rovers), E O’Connell (Loughmore Castleiney), JP Mbokha Tansia (Ballina), K Butler (Moyle Rovers), C King (Captain, Ballina), J O’Keeffe (Clonmel Commercials), J Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), D O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials), T Charles (Clonmel Commercials), B Carey (Ballylooby Castlegrace), D Cotter (Thurles Gaels), D Hogan (St. Patrick’s), P O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers), T O’Connor (Kilsheelan Kilcash).

Subs: L Freaney for T O’Connor (40), C Ryan for E Bonner (inj 57), D Hogan for P O’Keeffe (59).

Clare: E Byrne (St. Breckan’s), C Hill (Lissycasey), D Hill (Lissycasey), M Kelly (Lissycasey), S Conneally (Ennistymon), C O’Donovan (Corofin), L Pyne (Éire Óg, Inis), E Cahill (Kilmurray Ilbrickane), S McAllister (Clondegad), O O’Connell (St. Joseph’s Doora Barefield), S Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks), D Killeen (Lissycasey), D Culligan (Lissycasey), C Riordan (Wolfe Tones na Sionna), S McMahon (Captain, Banner).

Subs: D Townsend (Cooraclare) for S Conneally (16), T Curran (St. Joseph’s Doora Bearfield) for C Riordan (HT), D McMahon (Lissycasey) for O O’Connell (48), D Keane (Lissycasey) for D Culligan (56), C Talty (Kilmurray Ilbrickane) for S Fennell (59).

Referee: E Morrissey (Waterford).