Tipp need to learn to adapt in-game

By Shane Brophy

If ever a team would wish to start a game all over again, Tipperary would love to do with this one.

Come the end of the National League, if Tipperary miss out on promotion or are relegated by two points, they will rue not having taken something from this game.

Not that they deserved to as Down were worthy winners, but if Tipp had played in the first half like they did in the second, they’d have made a winning start to the division 3 campaign.

With just three home games out of seven, the margin for error for Tipp was slim in any case and are now under greater pressure following this defeat, however, they started last years campaign slowly and quickly built up a head of steam.

The first half is likely to be quickly erased as Tipp did everything they weren’t supposed to do. Admittedly, Down were compact and organised in defence, but Tipp were too slow and lacked penetration in their attacks.

It didn’t help that Steven O’Brien was unable to start because of a nagging hamstring issue and it impacted Tipp greatly in terms of their gameplan which the Ballina’s physical presence was central to at the edge of the square in a three-pronged inside line with Conor Sweeney and Sean O’Connor. Liam McGrath was O’Brien’s replacement and isn’t a like for like swap which prevented Tipp from having much joy from playing direct ball which Down dealt with easily enough.

Tipp needed to be more composed on the ball, and it took until half time for them to reassess their gameplan, helped by O’Brien’s introduction although he played much of that 35 minutes further out from goal. However, his first foray which led to a score for Conor Sweeney sparked life into those around him and from there Tipp posed much more of a threat in attack.

The impact of the bench was huge with Mark Russell returning after almost six months out through injury and kicked two of what are becoming trademark long range points. Donough Leahy also contributed two off the bench, while youngsters Cathal Deely and debutante Conor Cadell provided vigour.

Having trailed 1-6 to 0-2 at half time, failing to have a shot from open play in the opening half, Tipp had the margin back to four and had all the momentum with Down beginning to sit back with fourteen men, following Niall McParland’s red card.

To say it was coming for some Down player was an understatement considering the tactical fouling they were employing, plus the high nature of their tackling. However, that showed their level of intent and how and why they were able to build up and match-winning lead in the first half as they played with a greater pace and on the counter-attack punished Tipp, particularly through Pat Havern who scored 1-3 from play.

While not named on the matchday 26, the introduction of Andrew Gilmore was huge for Down and it was understandable why they kept his name off the team-sheet, even if it annoyed this writer as he wasn’t named on the programme. He injected incredible pace and direct running to the Down attack and contributed two points, struck the crossbar with a vicious shot, and also provided the assist for Conor Francis’ decisive 61st minute goal. However, it really was a goalkeeping mistake by Tipp’s Michael O’Reilly as Gilmore’s pass was more speculative and the keeper really should have gathered the ball comfortably but he fumbled and the wing back was on hand to finish to an empty net.

That proved to be the decisive score as to their credit, Tipp responded well with the hard-working Teddy Doyle finishing to the net after Conor Cadell’s initial shot was blocked. Two points from Donough Leahy and Tipp were back within two points on 67 minutes and had plenty of time for more.

However, Down ran down the clock well, with Tipp unable to get a decent shot away in the closing stages of what was a frustrating loss.

At their best, Tipp are a handful but need their best players on the field. The impact of Steven O’Brien and Mark Russell off the bench helped turn the game in Tipp’s favour and hopefully in the coming weeks when Paudie Feehan and Conal Kennedy get back, they will have more options in the middle of the field.

When Tipp pressed up on the Down kickout they got some joy, but that only came about after the Ulster men went down to fourteen men which took away their free man option.

However, the biggest worry going forward will be over the long term status of captain Conor Sweeney whose knee injury sustained late on in the game has been described as “concerning”.