Brave Tipperary survive a massive test against Clare

GAA: Munster Senior Hurling Championship Round 3

Clare 2-21

Tipperary 4-18

Report: Noel Dundon at Zimmer Biomet Pairc Chiosog, Ennis

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: John McGrath (Tipperary)

SCORERS - Clare: Mark Rodgers 1-13 (0-13 frees); Tony Kelly 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1 free); Sean Rynne 0-3; Ryan Taylor, Cathal Malone 0-2 each.

Tipperary: John McGrath 2-3; Jason Forde 0-8 (7 frees); Andrew Ormond 2-1; Eoghan Connolly 0-3 (2 frees); Jake Morris 0-2; Sean Kenneally 0-1.

Similar to their tilt with Limerick in the first round of the Munster Championship, Tipperary produced a power packed performance against All-Ireland champions Clare in their own backyard to emerge victorious and leave the fate of their season in their own hands in their final round clash against Waterford next Sunday at FBD Semple Stadium.

Liam Cahill’s men showed enormous character as Clare came from twelve points down to level late in the second half. They seemed to have all the momentum behind them, but Tipperary used all their experience and tremendous fighting spirit to move back in front and see out another famous win in Ennis in an epic tension filled battle in front of 20,685 spectators.

On a sweltering evening with the sun shining and a cracking atmosphere in Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg, this was a winner-takes-all clash with both sides requiring the points if they wished to maintain an interest in the concluding stages of the championship. And, though the stadium was heaving with spectators there was still a nice breeze blowing from the town end aiding Tipperary in the first half.

However, the enormity of the breeze did not contribute to the goal-fest the Premier visitors enjoyed in that first half with Eibhear Quilligan’s net bulging on four occasions – three times in ten minutes in an amazing period which set the tempo of the half.

By the interval Tipperary were three goals clear, 4-9 to 1-9 but goals aside perhaps the really significant point was that once Clare had snatched their goal two minutes before half time to cap two unanswered scores from Mark Rodgers and Ryan Taylor, Tipp hit back and scored three of the next four points to see out the half in a very positive frame of mind – Forde, two frees and Jake Morris getting the all-important scores.

The Clare goal was under siege in the first half and each defensive error was punished to the full. However, the execution of John McGrath’s brace in the 6th & 17th minutes, together with the ingenuity of Andrew Ormond’s strikes after he was there to finish off moves in the 12th & 23rd minutes, showed exactly what kind of mind frame Tipperary were in – they wanted goals and they went for them.

Quilligan saved a few others as well and with Jason Forde racking up points from frees – he bagged five in the first half as well as one from play – together with Jake Morris’ two points, Tipp were twelve in front by the 27th minute.

Clare enjoyed a decent spell as half time approached and the fact that Mark Rodgers had five frees to his name helped to keep them somewhat in touch of the visitors. Ryan Taylor too was showing what he could do while Peter Duggan was his usual handful – Ronan Maher had been detailed to pick him up from the start, with Robert Doyle on Tony Kelly duty, and Craig Morgan playing deeper than usual. It was all working for Tipp by the half-way mark, but Clare were sure to come with great fire for the second half. They surely did.

Three pointed frees on the board in as many minutes, Clare began to feel that another epic revival could be on the cards – thankfully Tipp were able to manufacture scores during a period of the game when the Bannermen were on top with John McGrath and Andrew Ormond helping to offset Mark Rodgers (4).

Shane O’Donnell was thrown into the arena, and he gave Clare a huge lift – Peter Duggan, Sean Rynne, Rodgers, Tony Kelly and Rynne again eating into the Tipp lead – a lead which had been enhanced by Jason Forde and Eoghan Connolly frees.

Then came a big opportunity for Clare – Tony Kelly was fouled in the 55th minute and he converted the resultant penalty to leave just one point in it. Clare had all the momentum now – they had scored 1-9 to Tipperary’s 0-4 since the break, but Eoghan Connolly came good with another fine score to help Tipp’s cause.

Clare were level with eight minutes to go – two more frees from Rodgers tied the game up and the shift had swung in the host sides favour big time. Tipp were battling to stem the tide and when Clare ran at the defence, they caused problems.

But, Tipperary’s resolute resilience and stubborn defiance came to the fore. And, just as in the first half, they managed to bag four of the final five scores of the game to win the match – Man of the Match John McGrath and sub Sean Kenneally finding the posts under huge pressure from play, and Jason Forde and Eoghan Connolly both keeping their cool from placed balls to steer Tipperary to safety.

Mark Rodgers had a final Clare point to leave three in it and though they came in search of a game-levelling goal, the All-Ireland champions found their efforts stifled – Tipperary survived and deservedly took all the spoils in what was an absorbing contest, full of drama played out in a gladiatorial arena which heaved in anticipation.

TEAMS - Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Adam Hogan, Darragh Lohan, Conor Leen; Cian Galvin, Daithi Lohan, David McInerney; Sean Rynne, Cathal Malone; Tony Kelly, Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan; Ryan Taylor, Peter Duggan, David Reidy.

Subs: Rory Hayes for Leen (19); Shane O’Donnell for Meehan (43); David Fitzgerald for Rynne (58); Ian Galvin for Reidy (61); John Conlon for D Lohan (67).

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Michae Breen (Ballina), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs); Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, Capt), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Robert Doyle (Clonoulty/Rossmore); Sam O’Farrell (Nenagh Eire Og), Alan Tynan (Roscrea); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney); Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og), John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Jason Forde (Silvermines).

Subs: Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs 6) for C Stakelum (46); Willie Connors (Kiladangan) for N McGrath (58); Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Tynan (61 inj); Seamus Kennedy (St Mary's) for O’Farrell (61 inj); Sean Kenneally (Moneygall) for Forde (65).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).