No end in sight to Tipperary footballers' losing streak

Sligo 3-22 Tipperary 1-12

Sligo, many people's favourites to go all the way, put on a masterclass as they handed down a 16-point dubbing to Tipperary in Round 2, Group 2 of the Tailteann Cup at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The gulf in class between a team from the top half of Division 3 compared to a team from the lower regions of Division 4 was very evident from the start. Sligo came with a game plan, played on the front foot, defended in numbers and attacked with purpose, whereas the home side were devoid of any game plan, looked sluggish and made no inroads in attack. 

The Connacht side played the final 20 minutes, including added time, with 14 players, after substitute Keelan Cawley was dismissed by referee Brendan Griffin, having picked up two yellow cards. This numerical disadvantage didn’t upset their game plan. They also had the luxury of replacing their captain and top scorer Niall Murphy twelve minutes into the second half, at a stage when he had bagged 2-6.

Tipperary announced four changes from the published side before the start, with Emmet Moloney replacing Kieran Costello in the half back line and Teddy Doyle, Sean O’Connor and Conor Sweeney coming into the attack in place of Conor Cadell, Jack Kennedy (JK Brackens) and Riain Quigley, while Steven O’Brien was ruled out of the match day panel through injury.

Sligo started the better and kicked the opening four points, all from open play inside ten minutes. Niall Murphy opened his account after three minutes. Patrick O’Connor then put over before Nathan Mullen made it 0-3 to 0-0. 

Gaps began to appear in the Tipp defence and they had an early let-off when Alan McLoughlin’s gilt-edged goal chance went outside the post. Patrick O’Connor added his second point before a free from Conor Sweeney came back off the post at the other end. 

Sean O’Connor finally got Tipperary moving on the scoreboard when he fisted a ball over the bar.

Tipp had another let-off on 16 minutes when Mikey Gordon was put through but blazed over. Sligo continued to open up the Tipp defence with ease and the scores followed. Sean O’Connor kicked a good point but two points, one from a free, from Niall Murphy put the visitors ahead by 0-9 to 0-2 after 21 minutes.

Tipperary's forwards were living off scraps but Conor Sweeney drew a free, which he converted, before Evan Comerford put over a 45. 

The five minutes before the break proved to be disastrous from a Tipp perspective. Niall Murphy converted a penalty, in off the post. From the resulting kickout Sligo again attacked and a shot from Lee Deignan came off the crossbar before being worked back to Carrabine, who slotted home goal number two. Evan Comerford closed out the half with a long-range free to leave the half-time score Sligo 2-11, Tipperary 0-5.

Tipp introduced Mark Russell for Emmet Moloney and gave Ballina’s Eoghan Power a championship debut at half time. Peter McGarry kicked the opening score of the second period, but Sligo took up where they left off before the break. Murphy kicked a mark before slotting home his second and Sligo’s third goal as they ran into a 3-14 to 0-7 lead by the three-quarter mark.

Sean O’Connor pointed from what was a half chance of a goal. Mark Russell kicked a point, which was awarded after a Hawk Eye delay of two minutes. Mark Russell kicked his second minor and Evan Comerford put over his fourth placed ball. 

Stephen Grogan fisted over the advancing Sligo goalkeeper, following a run through the centre by Luke Boland, before Sean O’Connor and Darragh Cummins exchanged points to close out the game. 

Tipperary’s final group game will be against Wexford in two weeks time, at a neutral venue, and a victory here is a must to have any chance of advancing to the knockout stages.

Scorers: Tipperary: Sean O’Connor (0-4), Evan Comerford (0-4, 3 frees, 1'45), Stephen Grogan (1-0), Mark Russell (0-2), Conor Sweeney (0-1 free), Peter McGarry (0-1).

Sligo: Niall Murphy (2-6, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free, 0-1 mark), Sean Carrabine (1-3, 2 frees), Darragh Cummins (0-4), Patrick O’Connor (0-4), Mark Walsh (0-2), Paul Kilcoyne (0-1), Mikey Gordon (0-1), Nathan Mullen (0-1).

Tipperary: Evan Comerford, Tadhg Condon, Jimmy Feehan, James Morris, Mark Stokes, Paudie Feehan (captain), Emmet Moloney, Stephen Grogan, Conall Kennedy, Teddy Doyle, Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Peter McGarry, Sean O’Connor, Conor Sweeney, Darragh Brennan.

Subs: Eoghan Power for Darragh Brennan (HT), Mark Russell for Teddy Doyle (HT), Shane O’Connell for Tadhg Condon (43), Luke Boland for Jimmy Feehan (48), Kieran Costello for Peter McGarry (59).

Sligo: Aidan Devaney, Evan Lyons, Eddie McGuinness, Luke Casserly, Brian Cox, Darragh Cummins, Nathan Mullen, Paul Kilcoyne, Canice Mulligan, Lee Deignan, Alan McLoughlin, Seán Carrabine, Mikey Gordon, Patrick O’Connor, Niall Murphy (captain).

Subs: Keelan Cawley for Mikey Gordon (HT), Eoghan Smith for Lee Deignan (HT), Mark Walsh for Niall Murphy (48), Peter Laffey for Nathan Mullen (50), Shane Deignan for Canice Mulligan (67).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).