McGrath point rescues draw for Tipperary
Tipperary 2-5
Fermanagh 2-5
By Michael Dundon at Semple Stadium
It took a pointed free by Liam McGrath with the last kick of the game to get Tipperary off the mark in division two of the National Football League at Semple Stadium on Sunday but three missed goal chances by the home side allowed Fermanagh escape with a draw.
Tipperary got a lucky break after six minutes when Brian Fox’ speculative shot should have been easily dealt with by the Fermanagh goalie Thomas Treacy but the ball fell from his grasp over the line for a goal that helped Tipp to an interval lead of 1-1 to 0-2.
After 25 minutes, Jimmy Feehan broke through but as he shot for goal he was tackled and the ball turned out for a 45. Three minutes later Liam Boland fluffed a great goal chance in a one-on-one with the goalie, two chances which could have left Tipp in a very comfortable situation at the break.
In the 52nd minute, with Tipp ahead 1-3 to 0-3, Philip Austin and Conal Kennedy combined to put Kevin Fahey through but the Clonmel man could not apply the finishing touch.
Tipp had Steven O’Brien sin-binned in the 45th minute but he was back on as Fermanaagh drew level with a Conal Jones goal after 58 minutes, 1-3 each.
Fermanagh edged ahead in the 65th minute but Brian Fox looked to have secured victory for Tipp when in the 70th minute he finished a Conor Sweeney delivery to the net for a 2-4 to 1-5 lead.
Back came Fermanagh and in the 73rd minute they had a goal from a penalty by Sean Quigley when a Tipp defender was penalised for foot block on Aidan Breen.
With defeat staring them in the face Liam McGrath came to Tipp’s rescue with the last kick of the game, pointing a 45 meter free after Brian Fox was fouled.
In a game which Tipperary ought to have won, Brian Fox with his two goals was a hero for Tipp but the man of the match was Kevin Fahey who put in an enormous effort. Steven O’Brien, John Meagher, Liam McGrath, Philip Austin and John Kennedy also had big games as they get off the mark in the division as they prepare to welcome Donegal to Thurles next Sunday.
For Fermanagh, Sean Quigley, Lee Cullen, Ryan Jones, and Declan McCusker did most.
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Kevin Fahey (Tipperary)
SCORERS – Tipperary: Brian Fox 2-0; Conor Sweeney, Liam McGrath (free), Philip Austin, Liam Casey, Kevin Fahey 0-1 each.
Fermanagh: Seamus Quigley 1-2 (1-0 pen, 0-2 freess); Conal Jones 1-0; Ciaran Corrigan, Garvan Jones, Ryan Jones 0-1 each.
TEAMS – Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Emmet Moloney; Kevin Fahey, Daire Brennan, Jimmy Feehan; Steven O’Brien, Liam Casey; Liam Boland, Liam McGrath, Brian Fox; Philip Austin, Conor Sweeney, John Kennedy.
Subs: Conal Kennedy for Moloney (HT); Kevin O’Halloran for Boland (51); Dan O’Meara for Austin (56); Michael O Reilly for Comerford (69 inj), Paddy Codd for Feehan (70+1).
Fermanagh: Thomas Treacy; Jonny Cassidy, Tiarnan Daly, James McMahon; Shane McGullion, Lee Cullen, Kane Connor; Eoin Donnelly, Ryan Jones; Ciaran Corrigan, Declan McCusker, Aidan Breen; Daniel Teague, Conal Jones, Seamus Quigley.
Subs: Paul McCusker for McGullion (30); Ryan Lyons for Daly (HT), Garvan Jones for Teague (40); Ultan Kelm for McCusker (53), Daragh McGurn for McMahon (56).
Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)
Full report in this weeks Guardian, out Wednesday.