Much improved Tipp exit minor championship after last gasp defeat
GAA: Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship Round 4
Tipperary1-22
Limerick 1-23
Report: Michael Dundon at FBD Semple Stadium
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Robbie Ryan (Tipperary)
SCORERS – Tipperary: Robbie Ryan 0-16 (10 frees); Sam Rowan 1-0; Jamie Ormond 0-2; Colm Kennedy, Stefan Tobin, Cormac Cahill, Cillian Minogue 0-1 each.
Limerick: Darren Collopy 0-10 (6 frees); Robert O’Farrell 1-3; Jack Cosgrove 0-3 (1 free); Matthew Fitzgerald, Patrick Kearney 0-2 each; Dara Ferland, Tadgh Boddy, Hugh Flanagan 0-1.
After seeing his charges bow out of the Munster Minor Hurling Championship in Semple Stadium on Tuesday evening, losing by a 64th minute point to Limerick, Tipp manager James Woodlock saluted the never say die spirit of the team and said he was mighty proud of their effort.
It was Tipp’s third defeat in the campaign, and it means their final game against Waterford next Tuesday in Thurles is irrelevant, with Waterford also out of contention for the knockout stages.
Tipp recovered from a slack opening quarter at the end of which they trailed 0-8 to 0-2 to be in front at half-time 0-12 to 0-10; slumped again in the third quarter falling five points behind, but once more rallied to be ahead as the hour mark approached.
Then, a calamitous double error in defence led to a Limerick goal in the 58th minute, and a 1-22 to 1-20 lead, but once more Tipp responded, two points levelling after 63 minutes, only for a Limerick turn-over when Tipp had possession to lead to the match-winning point.
It was gripping, edge of the seat stuff at the finish, but in the over-all analysis, Tipp were severely punished for too many errors in handling and striking, and while justifiably disappointed at the result, would have to accept that they contributed their share to their own undoing.
James Woodlock described the loss as “a massive disappointment and bitter to take but that’s the game of cut-throat championship hurling. We were in a great position at a great time but then there was that turn-over and we got punished. It is extremely disappointing, but those boys will have learned a lot from this.”
To be out of the championship with one round yet to play in the round-robin series is very disappointing, especially after the highs of last year when Tipp won both the minor All-Ireland and the secondary Celtic Challenge competition at this level, but the results speak for themselves.
This was certainly Tipp’s best display of the campaign, but the damage was done in the earlier rounds. They did not enjoy the best of evenings either with regard to refereeing decisions but overall, they were punished for mistakes made and cannot quibble with the result.
In Robbie Ryan, Tipp had the best player on the field, his return of sixteen points, six from play, a massive contribution but the lack of scores from other attackers was also a factor in this defeat. Stefan Tobin and Colm Kennedy worked hard in attack as did Jamie Ormond at midfield. The Tipp defence was at full stretch all through, but Evan Morris was solid at fullback with Shane Buckley also having a solid game.
Limerick have high and well-founded hopes of a provincial title with this team. Five of their six forwards scored as did sub Patrick Kearney, indicative of the scoring potential in the side with wingback Jack Cosgrove hitting three points and midfielder Matthew Fitzgerald two. That was perhaps the biggest difference between the sides. Darren Collopy and Robert O’Farrell posed a big threat in attack while Jack Cosgrove, Matthew Fitzgerald, John O’Keeffe, and Sean Morrissey were others to shine.
To James Woodlock the final word: “We had to win tonight but didn’t and that’s a disappointment, but these lads will learn from this and will be better for it. They improved with each game, and this was their best of the campaign.”
TEAMS – Tipperary: Harry Loughnane (Roscrea); Jack Lahart (Holycross/Ballycahill), Evan Morris (Holycross/Ballycahill), Keith Loughnane (Durlas Og); Shane Buckley (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), Darragh Linnane (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone); Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens, Capt), David Costigan (Moycarkey/Borris); Colm Kennedy (Sean Treacys), Sam Rowan (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Leigh Loughnane (Roscrea); Jack Hayes (Moycarkey/Borris), Stefan Tobin (Carrick Swan), Robbie Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill).
Subs: Cormac Cahill (Drom & Inch) for Costigan (36), Cian Ryan (Moneygall) for K Loughnane (45), Cillian Minogue (Durlas Og) for Hayes (47); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers) for L Loughnane (49).
Limerick: Joe Fitzgerald; John O’Keeffe, Conor Bickford, Sean Morrissey; Jack Cosgrove, Sean Carey, Cian Scully; Diarmuid Lyons, Matthew Fitzgerald; Robert O’Farrell, Dara Ferland, Tadgh Boddy; Hugh Flanagan, Sean Duff, Darren Collopy.
Subs: Patrick Kearney for Duff (HT), Michael Leo for Lyons (52), Darragh Gleeson for Scully (53).
Referee: Ciaran O’Regan (Cork)