Tipp held by spirited London
A dramatic equalising point in the seventh minute of added time dented Tipperary's promotion ambitions after being held by London on Sunday.
GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 4 Round 3
London 1-8
Tipperary 0-11
Report: Darragh Leen at McGovern Park, London
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Seán O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials).
SCORERS - London: Cathal Lacey 0-3 (1 free); Liam Gallagher 1-0; Ruairi Rafferty 0-2; Patrick Dolan, Shay Rafter, Cahir Healy 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Sean O’Connor 0-4 (2 frees); Jack Kennedy (JKB) 0-3; Jack Kennedy (CC) 0-2; Stephen Grogan, Peter McGarry 0-1 each.
The point for Tipp, who had to battle throughout, keeps the Premier county in fourth position, one point behind Carlow and three off leaders Laois who they face next week.
Despite strong spells in both halves, Tipperary could never quite dampen their hosts' appetite for the fray. London were snapping at their heels from stimp to stern. Though it was London's Cahir Healy who grabbed the injury time equaliser, the hosts will justifiably feel they could have taken both points on offer.
Tipp must have felt they had the win bagged after a pair of late scores from full-back Shane O’Connell and full-forward Jack Kennedy but a wonderful effort from distance from Healy salvaged a valuable point with virtually the last kick.
The two sides traded early scores before Paul Kelly's side began to assert their superiority with four points on the spin - three from the lively Sean O’Connor, all from dead balls. The UCC student was the figurehead in attack and London looked like a side gasping for air at this point in the contest.
However, a point from Ruairí Rafferty reduced the deficit and moments later a quick London break concluded with the ball in the hands of midfielder Liam Gallagher who calmly slotted the ball past Jack Rodgers in the Tipp net. The sides went in level at the interval 1-3 to 0-6.
The second half saw a noticeable increase in tempo and intensity, London starting the quicker with a couple of points from the impressive Cathal Lacey who was then forced off with a serious injury which led to eleven minutes of added time.
Rafferty edged London three points ahead, and a surprise looked on the cards. However, Tipperary wrestled back the initiative in the third quarter with three points on the bounce from Jack Kennedy and sub Peter McGarry to level things up.
On 67 minutes, London got their noses in front again courtesy of Shay Rafter's curling effort but Tipp looked that bit quicker in the final stages and looked to have nicked it, courtesy of O’Connell and Kennedy. However, Healy was on hand in the 78th minute to save the day for London.
TEAMS - London: Andrew Walsh; Cathal Lacey, Matt Moynihan, Fiontan Eastwood; Oran Kerr, Patrick Dolan, Ciaran McKeon; Liam Gallagher, Stephen Dornan; Aidan McLoughlin, Tadhg Barry, DJ O’Flaherty; Conor Cox, Ruairí Rafferty, Eoin Walsh.
Subs: Shay Rafter for Lacey (47), Ciaran Diver for Dolan (59), Caolan Mulgrew for Barry (63), Cahir Healy for Eastwood (64), Daire Rooney for McLoughlin (70+2).
Tipperary: Jack Rodgers (Naas); Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch); James Morris (Clonmel Commercials), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule), Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields); Darragh O’Leary (Ardfinnan), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Stephen Grogan (Cahir), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials); Jack Kennedy (JK Brackens), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Seán O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials).
Subs: Shane Neville (Cratloe) for Deely (18 inj), Peter McGarry (Clonmel Commercials) for Creedon (HT), Riain Quigley (Moyle Rovers) for Moloney (47), Martin Kehoe (Mullinahone) for Stokes (47), Conall Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) for O’Leary (47), Rory O’Dowd (Clonmel Commercials) for P Feehan (58).
Referee: Kevin Faloon (Armagh).