Ruthless Tipp make light work of Antrim
GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B Round 5
Antrim 2-16
Tipperary 4-28
Report: Liam Hogan in Belfast
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: John McGrath (Tipperary)
SCORERS - Antrim: Conal Cunning 0-5 (3 frees, 1’65); Nigel Elliott 1-2; Rian McMullan 1-1; Michael Bradley 0-3; Paul Boyle 0-2; Scott Walsh, Seaan Elliott, Seamie McAuley 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Gearoid O’Connor 0-8 (6 frees, 1’65); John McGrath 0-7 (1 free); Sean Ryan 1-3; Conor Bowe 1-1; Enda Heffernan 0-3; Mark Kehoe, Podge Campion 1-0; each; Joe Fogarty, Alan Tynan 0-2 each; Johnny Ryan, John Campion 0-1 each.
Expectations of a tough assignment from an Antrim team that relishes playing in Corrigan Park were well and truly quashed on Sunday as a determined Tipperary, without many established players, simply tore the home side apart.
Tipperary faced an Antrim side knowing they were safe from relegation following their first league win of the season over Laois the previous week but their efforts to produce the goods again never materialised.
Antrim were first to score though, thanks to a Seaan Elliott point inside eighty seconds. However, Tipp, with eight changes from their win over Waterford, were soon level through Alan Tynan.
The resulting puckout was poorly executed by goalkeeper Ross Elliott and debutante Kian O’Kelly intercepted. Seconds later he had Mark Kehoe on his shoulder and he had the ball in the Antrim net.
From that moment on, Tipperary took control and they added three unanswered points by Joe Fogarty, Gearoid O’Connor free and John McGrath. There was more to come and after a Conal Cunning pointed free from halfway, the visitors went full blast again and increased their lead to eight after Sean Ryan scored a splendid point to make it 1-7 to 0-2.
A splendid reply by midfielder Michael Bradley enthused the home following but Tipp took advantage of Antrim’s weak challenge when Alan Tynan scored his second point, closely followed by a Conor Bowe goal after Sean Ryan put the Moyne man through for a 2-8 to 0-4 lead.
The one-way traffic continued and after full forward Riain McMullan scored from the wing for Antrim, the game was put to bed as a contest when Podge Campion, who had just replaced the injured Ronan Maher, ventured deep into opposition territory before firing home Tipp’s third goal. Joe Fogarty followed up with a point, but Michel Bradley replied with a similar score as the teams went to the dressing rooms for the half time break on a scoreline of 3-13 to 0-8.
Tipperary introduced Johnny Ryan while Antrim made two changes themselves but the visitors motored on and incresed their lead with three more Gearoid O’Connor placed balls.
Antrim tried everything possible and their work paid off in the 42nd minute when Nigel Elliott goaled from close range after a well organised move involving Conal Cunning and Domhnall Nugent.
Enda Heffernan replied with his third point, but Antrim hit their best period as substitute Paul Boyle scored before Riain McMullan had Antrim’s second goal in the 46th minute making it 3-17 to 2-10. There was more to come but Rhys Shelly denied Nigel Elliott.
However, Tipp recovered and at end of a long delivery which saw Sean Ryan win possession, he still had much work to do but he managed to evade his marker and score a well-taken goal. A great day for the young Templederry man who scored 1-3.
Thirteen points in front, there was no way Tipp could lose now and the lead was strengthened with well-taken scores by John McGrath and Conor Bowe with Gearoid O’Connor adding a free to make it double scores approaching the hour mark.
What was left was a point scoring exercise by both teams as they added six each with John McGrath scoring three long range efforts and also added a free after Gearoid O’Connor who had been replaced. There was not much he could do as Tipp were impressive winners.
TEAMS – Antrim: Ryan Elliott (6); Paddy Burke (7), Ryan McGarry (7), Phelim Duffin (7); Gerard Walsh (7), Eoghan Campbell (6), Niall O’Connor (6); Michael Bradley (7), James McNaughten (6); Nigel Elliott (7), Keelan Molloy (6), Domhnall Nugent (6); Conal Cunning (7), Riain McMullan (6), Seaan Elliot (6).
Subs: Scott Walsh (7) for O’Connor (HT); Paul Boyle (7) for S Elliott (HT); Caolan McKernan (6) for McNaughten (52); Seamie McAuley (6) for N Elliott (53); Rory McCloskey (NR) for Walsh (66).
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris 7); Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs 8), Michael Breen (Ballina 7), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill 8); Enda Heffernan (Clonoulty/Rossmore 8), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields 7), John Campion (Drom & Inch 7); Joe Fogarty (Moneygall 6), Alan Tynan (Roscrea 7); Kian O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs 6), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7), Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy 8); Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy 7), John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 8), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons 8).
Subs: Podge Campion (Drom & Inch 7) for Maher (26 inj); Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers 7) for O’Mara (HT); Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields 6) for O’Kelly (49); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh 7) for Tynan (53); Cian O’Dwyer (Clonakenny NR) for O’Connor (65).
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).