Tipp footballers relegation fears grow following damaging defeat

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 3 Round 3

Tipperary 0-14

Antrim 1-19

Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Marc Jordan (Antrim)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Jack Kennedy 0-5 (3 frees); Paul Maher 0-2; Emmet Moloney, Kevin Fahey, Paudie Feehan, Teddy Doyle, Mikey O’Shea, Liam McGrath (free), Martin Kehoe 0-1 each.

Antrim: Pat Shivers 0-4; Marc Jordan, Odhran Eastwood 0-3 each; Conor Stewart 1-0; Ryan Murray (1 free) Michael Byrne (frees), Ruairi McCann (Ciceam an Cregan), Dominic McEnhill 0-2 each; Ruairi McCann (Naomh Mhuire) 0-1.

The spectre of relegation looms large on the horizon for Tipperary following a third consecutive defeat in Division 3 of the National Football League – a morale wrecking loss to Antrim on Saturday night.

The Ulster side too were pointless coming into this game but they brought an urgency and intensity to their play that Tipperary never matched and in achieving an eight point victory they could afford the luxury of missing a penalty in the 23rd minute which would have put the game out of Tipperary’s reach even at that early stage.

Not for the first time in this campaign, Tipperary were slow out of the blocks, midfielder Conor Stewart getting on the end of forceful surge to net for Antrim after thirteen minutes for a 1-1 to 0-2 lead setting Tipp the task of playing catch-up so early in the game. Antrim also had registered five wides in that period, an indication of their superiority as Tipp struggled to get to the pace of the contest.

A three point yield from Jack Kennedy, the best point of the game, Mikey O’Shea and Paudie Feehan from the 22nd to 26th minutes was Tipp’s best spell leaving them 0-5 to 1-4 behind and steadily reeling in the opposition. It was something of a false dawn, however, as Antrim re-asserted themselves and were 1-6 to 0-5 ahead when Shane O’Connell got a black card in the 29th minute.

Things did not improve for Tipp, but they were let off the hook when Ruairi McCann scuffed an Antrim penalty wide when Colm McLarnon was fouled by Jimmy Feehan. The half-time break came with Tipp trailing 0-6 to 1-8, by no means out of the game, but in serious trouble.

A double substitution at half-time reflected Tipp manager David Power’s concern but the changes made no difference as Antrim out-pointed Tipp 0-7 to 0-1 in the opening fifteen mins for a 1-15 to 0-7 lead. Antrim were going home with their survival prospects revived while Tipp are now in serious relegation trouble with a visit to fellow strugglers Longford next on the agenda.

There was little for Tipp followers in the paltry attendance to enthuse about. This was Tipp’s poorest display of the three rounds of the league and they were duly punished with only Jack Kennedy, Kevin Fahey, Liam McGrath, Emmet Moloney, Teddy Doyle and Dean Carew touching the expected standard.

Antrim’s Marc Jordan was a huge game for them with three points from halfback. Pay Shivers was not far behind with Odhran Eastwood making a big impact when introduced, but all round they were the masters.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials 6); Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle 6), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 6), Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan 6); Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch 6), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials 7), Dean Carew (Upperchurch/Drombane 6); Paudie Feehan (Killenaule 7), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers 6); Paul Maher (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 8), Teddy Doyle (Ballina 6); Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone 6), Liam McGrath (Drom & Inch 6), Cathal Deeley (Clonmel Commercials 5).

Subs: Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers 6) for Deeley (HT), Martin Kehoe (Mullinahone 6) for Boland (HT), Daire Brennan (Ardfinnan 6) for O’Shea (52), Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6) for McGrath (53), Tommy Maher (Loughmore/Castleiney 6) for P Feehan (58).

Antrim: Michael Byrne (6); Peter Healy (6), Ronan Boyle (6), James McAuley (6); Oisin Linehan (6), Joseph Finnegan (7), Marc Jordan (9); Kevin Small (6), Conor Stewart (7); Patrick Finnegan (6), Ryan Murray (6), Ruairi McCann (Ciceam an Cregan 7); Pat Shivers (7), Ruairi McCann (Naomh Mhuire 6), Colm McLarnon (5).

Subs: Odhran Eastwood (7) for Murray (29); Dominic McEnhill (7) for McLarnon (51); Jack Dowling (6) for Small (60); Colum Duffin (6) for Shivers (62), Seamus McGarry (NR) for McCann (Naomh Mhuire 69).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).