Tipp leave Armagh empty handed
GAA: Allianz National Football League Division 2 Round 4
Armagh 1-15
Tipperary 0-12
By Cóilín Duffy at the Athletic Grounds
Despite a determined effort, Tipperary's quest for their second win in the 2019 Allianz Football League ended in disappointment, but not just in terms of the score-board, as Liam Kearns charges look set to be without some key men ahead of facing bottom of the table Cork next weekend.
Already without a whole host of regular starters, including keeper Evan Comerford; Robbie Kiely, Bill Maher, Shane O'Connell and Josh Keane; a trio of injuries and a straight red card for established player Brian Fox in this game; means the Premier County will be further depleted for the clash with the Rebels.
Clonmel Commercials duo Kevin Fahey and Jack Kennedy were also due to start, but Kevin was absent due to the passing of his father Philip; while Kennedy was out after UCC's midweek Sigerson success.
Wind assisted Tipperary pushed hard in the opening half but it was Armagh who were far more clinical with their scoring efforts. Tipperary worked hard in the opening stages, but never managed to lead this game, as Armagh opened the scoring from Stefan Campbell.
McGrath equalised for Tipperary, with Steven O'Brien and Liam Casey working hard in the midfield sector at this stage, but also tracking back well to defend when called upon.
But the visitors defensive game-play and bursting runs weren't translating to scores; and Tipperary proved wasteful upfront, where they would only managed to add three points to their tally over the following 19 minutes.
Armagh were strong with Charlie Vernon beginning and ending a move, as the hosts quickly worked the ball upfield to finish the ball to the net in the 19th minute, and open up a 1-6 to 0-2 advantage.
McGrath cut the gap with his second point before Tipperary keeper Michael O'Reilly - in just his second senior start was alert, to pull off a fine save from an Aidan Forker shot.
It was after this that attention was drawn to an incident two minutes earlier, after Brian Fox delivered a nonthreatening punch on Jamie Clarke but referee Jerome Henry deemed the infringement to merit a straight red card.
Sweeney cut the gap to six points with a fine side-line kick on 32 minutes, and indeed Tipperary managed to reduce the margin to four points with a brace of McGrath scores; but an O'Neill point gave Armagh a 1-9 to 0-7 interval lead.
On the restart Armagh stretched the gap to seven points, and although Tipperary held them scoreless between the 41st & 58th minutes, the visitors were restricted in their scores.
McGrath delivered his sides first score from play to cut the gap to five points with 15 minutes remaining but Armagh had done enough work.
Niall Grimley and substitute Liam Boland traded points, but Armagh continued to look good, and could even afford to take off Rian O'Neill towards the end, with Ethan Rafferty taking his place, making his return from a shoulder injury sustained in Armagh's qualifier win over Westmeath last Summer.
MATCH DIGEST
Man of the Match: Niall Grimley (Armagh)
SCORERS - Armagh: Niall Grimley 0-4 (2 45', 2 frees); Charlie Vernon 1-1; Rory Grugan (free), Rian O'Neill 0-3 each; Stefan Campbell 0-2; Jemar Hall, Paul Hughes 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Liam McGrath 0-6 (5 frees); Conor Sweeney 0-5 (4 frees, 1 sideline); Liam Boland 0-1.
TEAMS - Armagh: Blaine Hughes; James Morgan, Aaron McKay, Paul Hughes; Aidan Forker, Greg McCabe, Connaire Mackin; Stephen Sheridan, Jemar Hall, Niall Grimley; Charlie Vernon, Rory Grugan; Stefan Campbell, Rian O'Neill, Jamie Clarke.
Subs: Ryan Kennedy for Morgan (HT); Joe McElroy for Forker (41); Pearse Casey for Mackin (61); Aidan Nugent for Clarke (61); Ethan Rafferty for O'Neill (70+1).
Tipperary: Michael O'Reilly; Alan Campbell, John Meagher, Emmett Moloney; Conal Kennedy, Daire Brennan, Jimmy Feehan; Steven O'Brien, Liam Casey; Kevin O'Halloran, Liam McGrath, Brian Fox; Philip Austin, Conor Sweeney, Paul Maher.
Subs: Liam Boland for Kennedy (32); Colm O'Shaughnessy for Maher (HT inj); Dan O'Meara for O'Halloran (49); Ben Hyland for Austin (53); Paddy Codd for O'Brien (68).
Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)