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Carey points Tipp to league glory
(02/05/2009)
Tipperary 0-18 Down 1-14 after extra time
Darkness had almost descended on Pearse Park, Longford when Sean Carey fisted over the winning point, ten second from the end of extra time to crown Tipperary’s superb year to date in style with silverware following a pulsating game with Down on Saturday night.
In a game that saw the sides level on twelve occasions and destined for a replay, the Moyle Rovers star weaved his way through the Down cover to fist the ball over from 21 yards out and seconds later, the small but loyal band of Tipperary supporters raced on to the field, hardly able to contain their emotions having witnessed the bridging of a 38 year for a league title.
Similar to Carey’s delightful score on Saturday, it was revealed that Keating used the fist that day in 1971 at the Clonmel Sportsground.
But returning to last Saturday the sight of Tipperary supporters swarming the green sward came at the end of ninety pulsating minutes after John Evans carefully coordinated plan gave every player in his panel – bar Matthew O’Donnell - the chance to sample a piece of the action in a game they will never forget.
Scores could not be closer. Level twice in the open ing eight minutes, fortunes continued to sway and a goal from Ronan Murtagh after nine minutes gave Down the biggest lead of the half at 1-1 to 0-2 before Tipp outscored the Ulstermen five points to two to leave the half time score level 0-7 to 1-4.
Led by the excellent shooting from Brian Coen with excellent defending from Christy Aylward, Brain Fox and Ciaran McDonald plus the excellent work done by George Hannigan, Tipp dominated the third quarter to steer three clear after 53 minutes. One could be forgiven in thinking that Tipp were on their way to the victory podium but Down fought back with Daniel Hughes sending the game in to extra time with less than a minute remaining.
You would have though Tipp’s chance had gone but they showed remarkable character for such a young side to find the resolve to win the game.
What can one say. Every player played their part for Tipp with particular praise for Brian Coen, George Hannigan, Christy Aylward and Brian Fox. Coen was the leading scorer from play with 0-4 and showed real bravery when he returning to action for extra time after his A/C joint had popped out minutes before the end of the hour.
Players like Paul Fitzgerald, Conor Morrissey, Hugh Coghlan, Sean Carey, Brian Mulvihill, James Tierney, Barry Grogan and the veteran Kevin Mulryan who came on as a replacement after 62 minutes and met the challenge in extra time as did Damien O’Brien who scored.
Down had many stars also with Daniel Hughes and Ronan Murtagh players to look out in the future with Aidan Carr, Peter Turley and Dan Gordon also making an impression with Gordon impressive in the first half before seeming to tire later on. They did also play without star forward Brendan Coulter due to injury.
Brendan McArdle was one of the new names and he had the opener after four minutes. James Tierney replied with a free within a minute before Barry Grogan added another free from the opposite side of the field.
With both sides using the swift passing game, Down made many raids along the right flank and nine minutes into the action a Peter Turley high ball deceived the normally alert Ciaran McDonald before Cathal Magee put Ronan Murtagh through to place a low one past the despairing Paul Fitzgerald.
Tipp replied immediately when Brian Mulvihill pointed. Play continued in a similar vein before Tipp came level on 21 minutes when Tierney scored from free after Barry Grogan was hauled down with Down under threat.
Dan Gordan excelled with a great point for Down after 23 minutes. Tipp’s response was immediate. Barry Grogan won a penalty. Taking the spot kick the Aherlow star miss hit his shot with the ball sailing high and over the bar. Brian Coen gave Tipp the lead on 26 minutes and five minutes later George Hannigan put the Fethard man through for another score with the chance of a goal very much a possibility.
Down showed great resilience and a Ronan Murtagh score narrowed the gap. A Dan Gordon score was disallowed when he used an open hand to score but Aidan Carr redeemed matters with a free leaving the scores level 0-7 to 1-4 on half time.
Carr put Down ahead with a free on 40 minutes before Barry Grogan levelled matters with a similar score three minutes later. A yellow card meant Down lost Peter Turley after 53 minutes before Brian Coen gave Tipp the lead.
Down came forward in numbers ending with a Cathal Magee score after assistance from Ronan Sexton and James Ireland. But Tipp pushed on and points from Damien O’Brien, James Tierney and Christy Aylward opened up a three-point lead at a crucial stage.
But three Down points between the 55th and 58th minutes brought Tipp down from orbit after Dan Gordon, Hughes and John Boyle found the target. The game was really on.
Down might have taken the lead but shot some poor wides and also sent a few aimless balls into the welcome arms of Paul Fitzgerald. Then Barry Grogan gave Tipp the lead again but within sight of victory but Danny Hughes had other ideas and extra time beckoned with the scoreline level for the eighth time at 0-13 to 1-10.
As extra time developed, John Evans brought back on Brian Coen and used the fresh legs of Eamon Hanrahan and Michael Phelan as Tipp players began to cramp. Scores were level twice in the opening period and at 0-15 to 1-12 at the break.
Daylight was fast disappearing when the second period began but nobody really noticed as Tipp matched the traditional side from Ulster never allowing them far from their reach with Carey’s late score a match for many a memorable moment in the history Tipperary GAA.
As good as the 2001 All-Ireland!
The Tipperary captain Andrew Morrissey is presented with the cup from GAA President Christy Cooney. |
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