Tipp see-off Antrim to set up Clare clash

Tipperary got the result they needed to qualify for the semi-finals of the National Hurling League after easing to a fifteen point victory over Antrim on Saturday afternoon.

GAA: Allianz National Hurling League Division 1B Round 5

Antrim 0-12

Tipperary 2-21

Report: Shane Brophy at Corrigan Park, Belfast

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Jason Forde (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Antrim: Aodhan O’Brien 0-8 (7 frees); Niall McKenna 0-3; Ronan McAteer 0-1.

Tipperary: Jason Forde 0-12 (8 frees, 1 65); Jake Morris 2-2; Sean Kenneally 0-2; Danny Slattery, Bryan O’Mara, Eoghan Connolly, Dan McCormack, Darragh Stakelum 0-1 each.

In the knowledge that Galway’s draw with Limerick meant that avoiding defeat would be enough for Tipp to progress, they started off in a manner that they didn’t have to chase a score and were sluggish throughout.

Manager Liam Cahill made seven changes from the team that lost to Limerick with Danny Slattery becoming the latest player to make his league debut at corner-back with Robert Byrne and Bryan O’Mara coming into the half-back line. Rhys Shelly got his third start of the league between the posts while up front there were recalls for Noel McGrath and Sean Ryan.

Gearoid O’Connor was a late cry off with Sean Kenneally coming into the starting line-up and he opened the scoring for the visitors, responding to an Aodhan O’Brien point for Antrim, their only score from play in the half and scorer as the depleted home side amassed just four points.

Tipp quickly opened up a lead with points from Jason Forde (4), Jake Morris, and Kenneally before Antrim scored for the third time on seventeen minutes. Eoghan Connolly, and Forde added to Tipp’s lead before cutting through the home sides defence for their first goal on 31 minutes as quick hands from Jason Forde played in Conor Stakelum but he was held up in the square, but under pressure managed to pass to Jake Morris who finished well. A late Forde free gave Tipp a 1-10 to 0-4 lead at the break.

As the conditions deteriorated, so did the fare in the second half as the sides managed only five points each in the first twenty-five minutes of the half.

Half-time sub Sean Hayes brought much needed drive to proceedings and was narrowly wide with a goal chance on 46 minutes in one of Tipp’s rare flowing moves.

Ronan Maher was powerful at full-back and while the Tipp defence kept another clean-sheet, they weren’t without their squares with Rhys Shelly saving a snapshot from Niall O’Connor.

Subs Darragh Stakelum and Dan McCormack got their names on the scoresheet with Jake Morris bringing his tally to 2-2 with a second goal in injury time to seal victory and a place in the semi-finals and a clash with Clare in Portlaoise on Sunday, 24th March at 4.00pm.

Full report and analysis in Wednesday's Nenagh Guardian.

TEAMS – Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Scott Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Enda Og McGarry; Niall McKenna, Niall O’Connor; Eoghan Campbell, Conor Boyd, Aodhan O’Brien; Eoin McFerran, Conor McCann, Fred McCurry.

Subs: Ronan McAteer for McCurry (52); Christy McGarry for Og McGarry (52); Eoin Trainor for Walsh (62); Arron Bradley for McCann (68); Ruairi McCormack for O’Connor (68).

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris); Danny Slattery (Clonoulty/Rossmore), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Michael Breen (Ballina), Robert Byrne (Portroe), Bryan O’Mara (Holycross/Ballycahill); Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Sean Kenneally (Moneygall), Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney); Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og), Jason Forde (Silvermines), Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons).

Subs: Sean Hayes (Kiladangan) for Ryan (HT); Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Connolly (40 inj); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh) for McGrath (56); Billy Seymour (Kiladangan) for Kenneally (64).

Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,000 approx