Dropped point could be crucial for Tipp footballers

By Liam Hogan

Before we mention the referee there is no doubt that Tipperary should have won this game.

After a slow first half performance where Tipp continued to play this passive and lateral game - like so many counties tend to do nowadays - they decided to take the bull by the horns in the second half and really have a go.

They had to. Three games and three defeats left them pointless and stuck at the bottom of the table.

Longford were in a similar position but in the first half they played very well and led 0-9 to 0-5 at half time. They had value for money in players like Robbie Smyth, Joseph Hagan, Daniel Mimnagh in attack while Michael Quinn outfield gave Tipp a difficult time. Peter Foy was busy as he vacated his number six berth to lend a hand to his attack from time to time. A major defeat looked imminent, and relegation became more of a reality.

Just as well that the Tipp defence, where Jimmy Feehan, Emmett Moloney and Kevin Fahey stood their ground leaving goalkeeper Michael O’Reilly a quiet time and rarely a moment of concern. His main duties were kicking out the ball and apart from one or two poorly directed efforts in the first half he grew into the game with immense stature as the second half would show. Time and time again he ventured outfield to create the extra man and as a result he was often the instigator of many passing moves in the second half. He made a huge impact indeed.

As the second half continued it was very evident that Tipp were playing much better. Apart from O’Reilly there was a huge contribution from Emmett Moloney at right wing back. Kevin Fahey’s mazy runs created fear in the Longford defence while Jack Kennedy and Paudie Feehan had prominent roles at midfield. Kennedy was very good on frees. He kicked most of them off the ground except for his last one towards the end of the game which drifted wide while Paudie Feehan scored two vital points from play.

Man of the match was Teddy Doyle. He excelled on the left wing and scored a great goal early in the second half which ignited the comeback. Doyle is a huge asset to Tipp and his ability to find players with a long range pass was pleasing to the eye.

That Tipp kept the number of goal chances by the opposition is a credit to the defence where Shane O’Connell, Jimmy Feehan, Willie Eviston deserve credit.

All in all, Tipp should have won and now they face Fermanagh in Enniskillen next Sunday.

Which brings us to the performance of referee John Ryan. We understand he was being assessed and that probably contributed to his performance. Assessment or no assessment he was simply too fussy. He insisted on frees be taken from the exact spot the foul took place and pulled Tipp up on more than one occasion, especially in the first half. He also pulled Michael O’Reilly for taking quick kickouts. He had no time for dissent either and he punished Tipp on one or more occasions as well. Petty in the extreme. Longford didn’t escape either but Tipp received the lion’s share of correction.

In a game that was very sporting, the Cork official booked nine players, four from Tipp. He correctly sent Darren Gallagher to the line for a second yellow card offence in the 58th minute. It was a crucial stage as Tipp led by three, 1-9 to 0-9.

However, the dismissal of Conor Cadell was harsh in the extreme. Whether there was a directive to referees this weekend to be severe on use of the gum shield or not we don’t know. But booking a player for running on to the field with gum shield in hand was a step too far. How often do we see the gum shields tucked inside a player’s sock of inside the leg of his bicycle shorts.

If that was not back enough the Cork official overturned a Tipp 45 for so-called time wasting. How Jack Kennedy was meant to move any quicker as he was just instructed by the linesmen as to where the 45 was to be taken from. Had Kennedy been successful, Tipp would have been four points to the good with three of the six minutes of added time played.

It was a step too far and somebody needs to have a rethink about how referees are assessed. Fussy refereeing won’t enthuse the supporters.

Tipperary have Fermanagh to take on next Sunday in Ederney. A major obstacle as the Ulster side have recorded three wins from four and are now in the promotion shake-up.

However, if Tipp play in the manner shown in the second half last Sunday, they will take beating. That performance without Steven O’Brien, Mikie O’Shea and Mark Russell must surely give them great heart going forward.