Tipp's defensive issues exposed by lively Clare
Clare 4-19
Tipperary 1-18
Tipperary were given a pre-National League reality check when going down to Clare in Sunday's Munster Hurling League final.
A ten point margin and the concession of four goals indicate a tough day at the office which it was for the premier county at the hands of a sharper, fresher and hungrier Clare side on the day that appeared keen to build some early season momentum.
That's not so say Tipperary wanted to do so either but manager Liam Sheedy has indicated all along that his players remain engaged in heavy physical training with a long term aim in mind rather than a relatively meaningless pre-season competition.
That being said he would have been disappointed with the manner in which all four goals were conceded which proved to be the difference between the sides.
Maybe there was an element of saving something for the National League encounter between the sides on Saturday week which prevented Tipp from adjusting to what Clare were doing, particularly their successful efforts in pulling Tipperary’s half back line way out the field, leaving Cathal Barrett and Padraic Maher (Clare pulled Michael O'Neill out field with Donagh Maher following) isolated in the full forward line against Cathal McInerney and the impressive Colin Guilfoyle, another tall forward proving to be Maher's kryptonite in that position once more.
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Tony Kelly (Clare)
SCORERS – Clare: Tony Kelly 2-3 (0-1 free); Colin Guilfoyle 1-3; Cathal McInerney 1-2; Diarmuid Ryan, Niall Deasy (2 frees) 0-3 each; Shane Golden, Ryan Taylor 0-2 each; Michael O'Malley 0-1.
Tipperary: Seamus Callanan 0-8 (6 frees, 1 65); Jason Forde 0-5 (1 s-cut); Dan McCormack 1-0; Mark Kehoe, Alan Flynn 0-2 each; Noel McGrath 0-1.
TEAMS – Clare: Donal Tuohy (7); Jason McCarthy (7), David McInerney (7), Rory Hayes (7); Cathal Malone (6), Conor Cleary (7), Aidan McCarthy (7); Shane Golden (8), Tony Kelly (9); Niall Deasy (6), Ryan Taylor (7), Diarmuid Ryan (8); Michael O'Neill (6); Colin Guilfoyle (9), Cathal McInerney (7).
Subs: Podge Collins (6) for O'Neill (53); David Conroy (6) for Ryan (55); Michael O'Malley (6) for A McCarthy (58); Gary Cooney (6) for McInerney (65); Jack Browne (NR) for Hayes (67).
Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan 6); Cathal Barrett (Holycross/Ballycahill 7), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields 5); Donagh Maher (Burgess 7); Alan Flynn (Kiladangan 7), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary's 6), Joe O'Dwyer (Killenaule 7); Willie Connors (Kiladangan 5), Michael Breen (Ballina 6); Jason Forde (Silvermines 8), Patrick Maher (Lorrha 7), Colin English (Fr Sheehys 6); Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 7), Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch 7), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og 6).
Subs: Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields 7) for Connors (HT); Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 7) for Morris (45); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh 7) for Kehoe (48); Killian O'Dwyer (Killenaule 6) for Barrett (57); Robert Byrne (Portroe 6) for Kennedy (57 inj).
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).
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