Timely boost for Tipperary footballers with McGrath Cup win over Limerick

McGrath Cup Group A:

TIPPERARY 1-11 LIMERICK 0-10

Two weeks short of the commencement of the National Football League, Tipperary senior footballers recorded a welcome victory over Limerick in the McGrath Cup game played at a cold Templetuohy this Sunday afternoon. With little between the sides all through, the game’s decisive score came four minutes from the end when Luke Shanahan capitalised on a mistake in the Limerick rearguard to slot to the net. It was enough to see the home side prevail with their first win of the new year, and also the maiden victory under new manager Paul Kelly.

This timely boost - Tipp’s first over another county (bar Waterford) since the Division 4 League success over London in March 2022 - couldn’t have come at a better time with Tipperary scheduled to open their NFL Division 4 campaign in Semple Stadium against Carlow on Saturday week. Taken in tandem with the half-decent opening McGrath Cup defeat to Kerry, the new management will be hoping to further build and develop a side in transition over the course of the coming weeks in the bottom tier of the League.

Tipperary, with a fair sprinkling of new talent, which included the rarity of two players from Thurles Sarsfields, Kieran Costello and Paddy Creedon, had the better of a very tentative opening quarter to lead by 0-2 to 0-1. Newly-returned keeper Evan Comerford kicked both Tipperary points from placed balls, a 45 and a free, with Limerick’s Robbie Childs adding his side’s opening point in between Comerford’s kicks. Disappointingly, the Tipperary custodian’s game was over after 15 minutes when he hobbled off injured, replaced by Naas clubman Jack Rodgers for his inter-county debut.

With Jimmy Feehan starting impressively, a vein he continued in all day, and Steven O’Brien showing well in midfield, Tipperary were growing into this game. A close-in free from Sean O’Connor, quickly followed by a fisted point from Creedon, had Tipp 0-4 to 0-1 to the good after 17 minutes.

Just when it appeared Tipperary might drive on, the remainder of the half went the way of the Treaty men, Tipperary not helping themselves in the concession of too many frees, including three converted by Limerick centre-forward James Naughton to level matters as half-time approached. While one or two of the frees appeared ‘soft’ enough, it will, no doubt, be an area the Tipperary defence can tighten up on for the League campaign.

Tipperary's corner forward Sean O'Connor gets away from his marker Colm McSweeney during Sunday's McGrath Cup game at Templetuohy. (Pic: Sportsfile)

Steven O’Brien, with a 45, edged Tipp back in front just before the half-time whistle for an 0-5 to 0-4 interval scoreline.

Like the opening half, the second period was slow starting also - just three scores in the third quarter - with Tipperary’s points both from Sean O’Connor, the second at the end of a good move involving Mark Stokes and James Morris. Cillian Fahy’s point in between O’Connor’s pair made it 0-7 to 0-5 halfway through the second half.

A Daniel Daly free reduced the deficit for Jimmy Lee’s side in the 55th minute, but a Steven O’Brien point at the end a trademark burst three minutes later reminded those watching on how important a role O’Brien can play in the League if he can be kept injury free.

Limerick added another free from Diarmuid Kelly six minutes from time to leave the minimum between the sides before second half substitute Luke Shanahan had that goal, taking full advantage of a mix up in the Limerick defence to shoot low past Jeffrey Alfred.

Throwing caution to the wind now Limerick loosened up more and the final minutes were the most open of the game, with the hosts outscoring their opponents in the dying minutes, 0-3 to 0-2. Shane Neville and Kyle Shelly kicked good points from play for Tipp, and Luke Shanahan wrapped up his side’s scoring with a late free. In between James Naughton kicked his fifth free and late substitute Jamie Baynham slotted over a fine point off his left.

With little at stake on the day only bragging rights, Tipperary will be pleased to have ended a long barren run of results which included the entire league campaign last year without a single victory. There were plenty of positives with Jimmy Feehan excellent in a defence that only conceded three points from play in 70 minutes, a rearguard that included good showings from James Morris, Stephen Grogan and Luke Boland. Steven O’Brien’s influence can never be overstated around the middle and when he is on his day Tipp do best. Sean O’Connor, Shane Neville, Cathal Deely showed well in attack and subs Luke Stokes, Mark Stokes and Rory O’Dowd also contributed.

A minute’s silence was respectfully observed before the game in memory of the late Dick Moloney (Ardfinnan) who played for ‘The Village’ throughout the 1950s and was a member of the panel in 1961 that won the County Senior Championship after a wait of 22 years. R.I.P.

TIPPERARY:

Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan/Kilcash, 0-2, 0-1x45, 0-1F), Emmet Moloney (Drom/Inch), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), James Morris (Clonmel Commercials), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Stephen Grogan (Cahir), Kieran Costello (Thurles Sarsfields), Teddy Doyle (Ballina), Steven O’Brien (Ballina, 0-2, 0-1x45), Shane Neville (Cratloe, Clare, 0-1), Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials), Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-1), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials, 0-3, 0-1F).

Subs: Jack Rodgers (Naas, Kildare) for Comerford (inj., 15 mins); Luke Shanahan (1-1, 0-1F, Upperchurch/Drombane) for Doyle (46 mins); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) for Kennedy (46 mins); Rory O’Dowd (Clonmel Commercials) for Creedon (46 mins); Michael Barlow (Ardfinnan) for Sean O’Connor (53 mins); Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey/Borris, 0-1) for Cadell.

LIMERICK:

Jeffrey Alfred, Jim Liston, Sean O’Dea, Colm McSweeney, Robbie Childs (0-1), Iain Corbett, Paul Maher, Tommy Childs, Tommy Griffin, Andrew Meade, James Naughton (0-5F), Barry Coleman, Peter Nash, Cillian Fahy (0-1), Shane Costello.

Subs: Daniel Daly (0-1) for Costello; Darragh O’Hagan for Griffin; Cormac Woulfe for McSweeney; Diarmuid Kelly (0-1F) for Nash; Shane Doherty for T. Childs; Tony McCarthy for Liston; Jamie Baynham (0-1) for Meade.

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).