Smith’s last gasp two-pointer saves Tipp in West London thriller

GAA: National Football League Division 4 Round 1

London 0-1-19 (21)

Tipperary 0-5-11 (21)

Report: Conor Martin at McGovern Park, Ruislip

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sean O’Connor (Tipperary)

SCORERS – London: Joe McGill 0-7 (1x2play; 3 frees), Daniel Clarke (0-6); Shay Rafter 0-4, (1 free), Kristian Healy 0-3; Conor O’Donohue 0-1.

Tipperary: Sean O’Connor 0-9 (3x2play; 1x2free, 1x1free); Cian Smith 0-7 (1x2play, 1x1free), Micheal Freaney 0-2 (2play); Paudie Feehan, James Morris, Daithi Hogan 0-1 each.

Tipperary had Cian Smith to thank as his ice-cold, last-gasp two-pointer rescued a draw against London in a pulsating opening round encounter in division 4 of the National Football League on Sunday.

In a game that ebbed and flowed throughout, it was London who set the tone and looked every inch the sharper side in the opening half. Joe McGill needed less than a minute to get the scoreboard moving, confidently slotting over the game’s first point before Paudie Feehan responded to level matters for Tipperary.

McGill was at the heart of London’s attacking play and soon began to exert a real influence. An excellent two-pointer, followed by a neatly taken free, opened up a small but significant gap as the Exiles settled into their rhythm.

Tipperary replied through Cian Smith and a Sean O’Connor free, but they struggled to build sustained momentum as London’s defensive structure repeatedly smothered promising attacks.

The Premier County were further frustrated when O’Connor sent two successive frees wide, misses that only added to London’s growing confidence.

With Shay Rafter, Daniel Clarke and Kristian Healy all finding their range, the hosts began to stretch their advantage. Further points from McGill, Daniel Clarke and Kristian Healy ensured London went in at the break with a deserved 0-11 to 0-7 lead, having controlled both tempo and territory.

Tipperary emerged for the second half with renewed intent. Daithi Hogan got their restart off to the perfect start before O’Connor landed a superb two-pointer to slash the deficit to a single point and inject fresh belief into the visitors.

London, however, refused to panic. Conor O’Donohoe steadied matters before Clarke and two more scores from the impressive Shay Rafter saw the hosts reassert control, pushing five points clear with just over a quarter of an hour remaining.

As time began to run out, Sean O’Connor once again led the charge for Tipperary. Two more outstanding two-pointers dragged the margin back to the bare minimum and set up a thrilling finale.

Daniel Clarke, who was outstanding throughout and finished with six points from play, responded in style with three scores of his own, seemingly doing enough to edge London towards victory.

But the drama was far from over. Substitute Micheál Freaney struck a massive two-pointer as injury time began, reigniting Tipperary’s hopes.

Joe McGill appeared to have the final say moments later, calmly converting a free to restore London’s lead. Yet there was still one twist left. From Tipperary’s final attack, the ball found its way to Cian Smith, and the forward showed nerves of steel, drilling over his second two-pointer with the very last kick of the game to snatch a share of the spoils.

In the end, honours finished even after a thrilling contest, with Smith’s late heroics ensuring Tipperary escaped Ruislip with a draw that felt every bit like a victory

TEAMS - London: Andrew Walsh (6); Daire Rooney (6), Matt Moynihan (6), Stephen Henry (6); Conor Goggin (6), Conal Gallagher (6), Conor O’Donohue (7); Liam Gallagher (Capt 7), Tighe Barry (7); Joe McGill (9), Daniel Clarke (9), Kristian Healy (8); Micheal O’Reilly (7), Shay Rafter (8), Jim Davis (7).

Subs: Ciaran Diver (6) for Davis (51), Ciaran McKeon (6) for O’Donohue (59); Josh Obahor (6) for Gallagher (65).

Tipperary: Shane Garland (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6), Jack Harney (Moyle Rovers 6), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials 6), Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney 6); Charlie King (Ballina 6), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule, Capt 7), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers 6); Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials 7), Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields 6); Eoin Craddock (Holycross/Ballycahill 6), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 9), Steven O’Brien (Ballina 7); Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials 9), Cathal Deeley (Clonmel Commercials 7), Daithi Hogan (St Patricks 7).

Subs: Micheal Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7) for Deely (43); Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan 6) for Feehan (49); Paddy O’Keefe (Moyle Rovers 6) for O’Brien (53); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6) for King (62), Emmet Moloney (Portlaoise NR) for Morris (70).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).