Tipp fail to build on bright start

GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 3 Round 2

Cavan 1-19

Tipperary 1-7

Report: Liam Hogan at Kingspan Breffni

In the third league meeting between the counties in less than twelve months, Tipperary suffered their second defeat to Cavan with a disappointing performance on Sunday.

Following a first round defeat to Down, the Premier entered the game on the back of a disappointing week following the news that captain Conor Sweeney was ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee injury.

After Oisin Brady’s free in the fifth minute, Tipperary responded with two Jack Kennedy frees. It was end-to-end in the early going but Tipp improved their standing when Sean O’Connor found the net in the tenth minute after winning a high ball from Teddy Doyle. At 1-2 to 0-1 in front, Tipp looked promising.

After Dara McVeety replied from play, Tipp responded with a third Kennedy free, quickly followed by a chance of a second goal but Steven O’Brien’s shot from close range was smothered by Cavan keeper Raymond Galligan.

More was expected from Tipp but instead it was Cavan who took up the running as they scored seven unanswered points starting with an Oisin Brady free quickly followed by a great score by the fast-moving Dara McVeety. Ryan O’Neill followed up with score after winning a mark in the 19th minute.

Two minutes later, the sides were level with Oisin Brady on target from a free and in the 23rd minute the same player had Cavan in front for the second time. It was one-way traffic and the lead increased thanks to another Brady free, followed by a third score from McVeety who was a real livewire.

Yet, Tipp had their moments and Mikey O’Shea displayed much trickery with a number of mazy runs and was rewarded with a point in the 29th minute. However, Cavan continued to thrive and approaching half time they had the Tipp defence in trouble a high ball had them in sixes and sevens before Ryan O’Neill had the ball in the Tipp net. The Tipp defence should have dealt with the problem much better and they knew it and on the brink of half time their worries increased as the deficit increased to six after Martin Reilly scored.

A super point by wing back Tiernan Madden moved the home side seven in front as the second half began but two frees by Jack Kennedy gave Tipp some momentum However, Tipp were dealt a another blow when Steven O’Brien went off injured and Cavan made hay with Oisin Brady increasing his team’s lead to seven with a mark. At the other end, Sean O’Connor replied with a similar score in the 57th minute.

That would prove to be Tipp’s last score and Cavan were in no mood to relax as Ryan O’Neill, Raymond Galligan (45) and Ryan Donohoe answered the call with a point each. Donohoe was a second half substitute, one of three who brought their scoring boots with them as Brandon Boylan scored twice either side of another score by Paddy Lynch, bringing an end to a great day for Cavan and a very disappointing day for Tipp.

TEAMS - Cavan: Raymond Galligan (7); Evan Finnegan (7), Padraig Faulkner (7), Niall Carolan (7); Ciaran Brady (7); Dara McVeety (8), Tiernan Madden (7); David Brady (7), Killian Clarke (7); Oisin Kiernan (7), Cian Madden (7), Jonathon McCabe (7); Martin O’Reilly (7), Ryan O’Neill (7), Oisin Brady (8).

Subs: Ryan Donoghue (7) for D Brady (45); Paddy Lynch (7) for O’Reilly (52); Brandon Boylan (7) for McCabe (59); Conor Moynagh (6) for C Brady (63); Conor Madden (NR) for O’Neill (66).

Tipperary: Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials 6); Shane O’Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle 7), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule 7), Dean Carew (Upperchurch-Drombane 7); Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials 6), Colm Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan 6), Emmett Moloney (Drom & Inch 7); Cathal Deeley (Clonmel Commercials 6), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 6); Mark Russell (Aherlow Gaels 6), Mikey O’Shea (Mullinahone 7), Teddy Doyle (Ballina 6); Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 6), Steven O’Brien (Ballina 6), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials 6).

Subs: Conor Cadell (JK Brackens 6) for O’Shea (HT); Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers 6) for O’Brien (45 inj); Willie Eviston (Loughmore/Castleiney 6) for Deeley (53); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan-Kilcash 6) for McGrath (59); Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 6) for O’Shaughnessy (59); Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash 6) for O’Connor (59); Tommy Maher (Loughmore/Castleiney NR) for Russell (67).

Referee: Barry Judge (Sligo).