Battling Tipp make themselves at home in Moneygall
Tipperary manager Niall Fitzgerald. Pic ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon
North Tipperary proved a happy hunting ground for the county footballers as Daithí Hogan’s goal and a late string of points maintained their unbeaten start to Division 4 at Moneygall.
Their opponents, Antrim, had been touted as pre-season promotion contenders, but having lost to Carlow last week, their discipline cost them dearly to finish with 13 men.
With Semple Stadium deemed unplayable on Friday following heavy rain, St Flannan’s Park, perched right on the Tipp-Offaly border, stepped in to host its first-ever inter-county football match.
“I'd like to thank the Moneygall club, and in particular (Semple Stadium groundsman and Moneygall native) Padhraic Greene, just to make sure that the fixture went ahead,” said Tipp manager Niall Fitzgerald.
“We were struggling to get a pitch available, so it's much appreciated, and North Tipp has been a happy hunting ground today for us.
“There's going to be ups and downs this year and over the next couple of years, because of that bit of inexperience, but once they're bringing that level of character, we'll be in the hunt.”
Dominic McEnhill was a late addition to the Antrim team and he accounted for 0-5 from play, including the game’s only two-pointers in the eighth and 24th minutes. However, the Saffrons only got off six shots with the wind as Tipp bossed possession with a series of slow attacks in heavy underfoot conditions.
Hogan (1-3) and Seán O’Connor (0-7, 5 frees) were their two scorers from play across the afternoon. Both hit the target early on, but they were Tipp’s only points from their first nine attempts.
Antrim led 0-5 to 0-4 when the game turned on John Carron’s red card. Linesman Conor Lane spoke with referee Ian Monaghan, who indicated a strike with the elbow on Paudie Feehan. A Cian Smith free levelled at 0-5 apiece at the break.
Turning to take the wind advantage as well as the extra man, Tipp looked well positioned. Conhuir Johnston slalomed through to give Antrim one last lead before a quick-passing exchange by O’Connor and Micheál Freaney created the opening for St Patrick’s prospect Hogan to blast home.
Pat Shivers and McEnhill brought it back to a one-point game, but Tipp kicked the next three through a Hogan mark and frees from O’Connor and Smith.
Antrim were right back in the mix after 54 minutes. McEnhill’s shot dropped short and pinballed for Paddy McAleer to slide to the net; 1-9 to 1-8.
Freaney almost profited from a similar situation at the other end, but John McNabb and Eoghan McCabe scrambled off the line.
Midfielder McAleer had another chance in the 63rd minute, only for his shot to be blocked. A Shivers free cut the gap to one, but Mark Russell’s high fielding, Hogan’s composure, and three late points from O’Connor wrestled control back in Tipp’s direction. In between, Shivers received a second booking in stoppage time.
“Our discipline let us down massively,” said Antrim manager Mark Doran. “That’s probably promotion gone. We've lost two games. Our big focus now in the group is trying to get a win for momentum.”
S O’Connor (0-7, 5 frees); D Hogan (1-3, 0-1 mark); C Smith (0-3, 3 frees).
D McEnhill (0-5, 2tp); P McAleer (1-0); P Shivers (0-2, 2 frees); N Burns, C Johnston (0-1 each).
S Garland; J Harney, J Morris, E O’Connell; C King, P Feehan, L Boland; J Higgins, K Costello; M Stokes, S O’Brien, M Freaney; C Smith, S O’Connor, D Hogan.
M Russell for Higgins (58), K Butler for King (58), C Deely for O’Brien (58), P O’Keeffe for Smith (63), J O’Neill for Stokes (68).
J McNabb; J McAuley, J Finnegan, K Keenan; E Walsh, E McCabe, M Jordan; P McAleer, J Carron; R Quinn, O Doherty, N Burns; P Shivers, C Johnston, D McEnhill.
C Hynds for Burns (42), P McBride for Quinn (49), R McQuillan for Doherty (61), C Hand for Keenan (69).
Red cards: J Carron (33), P Shivers (70+2).
I Monaghan (Roscommon).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
