Tipp play out comprehensive 13-point win over Leitrim to keep Div 4 promotion hopes alive

The game was all but over by half-time as the Premier lead 1-12 to 0-5 despite playing into a strong wind at a wet and wild Clonmel Sportsfield

Sun, 01 Mar, 2026 - 16:58

Stephen Barry, Clonmel Sportsfield

Allianz Football League Division 4: Tipperary 1-18 (1-3-12) Leitrim 0-8 (0-2-4)

Tipperary avenged their Tailteann Cup elimination against Leitrim with a comprehensive 13-point victory to keep their Division 4 promotion hopes alive.

The game was all but over by half-time as the Premier lead 1-12 to 0-5 despite playing into a strong wind at a wet and wild Clonmel Sportsfield.

Seán O’Connor fired 1-6 and Steven O’Brien added 0-6 to round off a win which moves Tipp into third; two points behind Carlow and one off Longford. Leitrim drop out of contention into seventh place.

Both Niall Fitzgerald and Steven Poacher made five changes to their teams published on Friday. Jack Harney, Paudie Feehan, Charlie King, Eoin Craddock, and O’Brien started for Tipp. Donal Feely, Gavin Reynolds, Barry McNulty, Cillian McGloin, and Paul Honeyman were introduced for Leitrim.

Despite playing with a strong, if somewhat crossfield wind at their backs, Poacher had called upon two substitutes by the 23rd minute and two more at half-time as Tipp proved utterly dominant.

The hosts sliced through for a couple of early goal chances as O’Connor was twice denied by Killian Gaffey, while a third attempt was deflected over the bar.

A Keith Keegan two-pointer gave Leitrim their only lead. They would only score two of nine efforts from outside the arc and only had one go at a one-pointer in the entire half.

Tipp scored the next eight points without reply for a 0-9 to 0-2 lead. An O’Brien two-point free, slotted into the wind, kickstarted that run. Feehan was producing a standout performance around midfield as he added a marvellous solo score.

Early replacement Oisín McLoughlin landed a long-range two-pointer with his first touch. Tipp responded with a 27th-minute goal after good work by O’Brien and Daithí Hogan enabled O’Connor to palm home at the back post.

A Cian Smith pair and O’Brien’s fourth made it 1-12 to 0-5 at the break. By that juncture, Tipp had no wide and converted 80% of their shots. Leitrim’s success rate was just 27%.

In deteriorating conditions, McNulty and McLoughlin pulled two points back as Tipp didn’t score for the first 12 minutes with the wind.

Once O’Connor got them going, they motored on with O’Brien’s wonderful two-point free from under the stand and a late O’Connor orange flag.

Both sides ended with 14 men. Mark Russell was black-carded as the clock hit 70 and Eoin McLoughlin picked up a second yellow in the second of four added minutes.

Tipp travel to Wicklow in a fortnight’s time. They could do with a favour from Leitrim, who host Longford next.

Scorers for Tipperary: S O’Connor (1-6, 1tp, 0-1 free); S O’Brien (0-6, 2tpf); C Smith (0-4, 1 free); P Feehan, D Hogan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Leitrim: O McLoughlin (0-3, 1tp, 1 free); K Keegan (0-2, tp); Riordan O’Rourke, P Honeyman (free), B McNulty (0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: S Garland; J Harney, E O’Connell, M McFadden; C King, J Morris, M Stokes; J Higgins, P Feehan (capt); K Costello, S O’Brien, E Craddock; C Smith, S O’Connor, D Hogan.

Subs: K Butler for Craddock (59), M Russell for Higgins (59), L Boland for Stokes (63), M Freaney for O’Brien (63), D Brennan for Smith (65).

LEITRIM: K Gaffney; E McLoughlin, K Clancy, D Feely; J Rooney, G Reynolds, É McNamara; B McNulty, K Keegan; F McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, C McGloin; B Guckian, Ryan O’Rourke (capt), P Honeyman.

Subs: O McLoughlin for Clancy (23), C Reynolds for Rooney (23), M Diffley for Feely (h-t), Ruairí O’Rourke for McGloin (h-t), C Quinn for G Reynolds (51).

Referee: A Coyne (Westmeath).