Tipp hurlers' Celtic Challenge team edge last eight tie to qualify for Division 1 semi-final

Tipperary Blue defeated Wexford in Templemore on Sunday evening last

Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge - Division 1 Quarter-Final

Tipperary 1-16

Wexford 2-11

By Michael Dundon

Tipperary Blue had to battle all the way to secure their place in the Celtic Challenge minor hurling semi-final, edging home by two points after a high-quality contest with Wexford at Templemore on Sunday.

This competition for players in the county development squads who did not play in the minor inter-county championship included a number of teams from each of the traditional hurling counties and afforded promising youngsters an opportunity to test their ability against lads in a similar situation from other counties. Tipp fielded two teams, Tipp Blue and Tipp Gold, with the Blues making the quarter-finals after a round-robin series.

Tipp’s record in the competition is good and, while the opposition in the semi-final was not known in the immediate aftermath of this encounter, the performance by the Tipp lads was most encouraging and augured well for their prospects of ultimate success.

Wexford came with high hopes and raced into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead before Tipp opened their account after 10 minutes, a pointed free by Luke Murphy. The Wexford goal came after just a minute from Conor Lacey, who also pointed in that opening surge.

The point settled Tipp, who reeled off four more without reply from Charlie Lawlor, James Heffernan, Morgan O’Connor and Stephen O’Brien to trail 0-5 to 1-3 coming to the end of the first quarter.

A further setback then presented itself when Killian Whelan netted for Wexford, but once more the Tipp response was positive, though they trailed at the break 0-11 to 2-7.

Conor Doherty, Kevin Grace, Charlie Lawlor, Morgan O’Connor (2) and Eoin Kennedy all raised flags. Tipp’s first-half return was not helped by eight wides in the period and, with the breeze against them in the second half, their situation was precarious.

The second half was a much tighter affair, with scores at a premium. However, Tipp drew level after 43 minutes when Charlie Lawlor benefitted from Eoin Kennedy’s good work to rifle home a levelling goal, making it 1-12 to 2-9.

Wexford did not falter and two Charlie Ennis points sent them in front again, but the closing ten minutes saw Tipp in the ascendancy. Points by Daniel McDonnell and Morgan O’Connor levelled matters with five minutes to play. O’Connor then nudged Tipp ahead from a free and Charlie Cairns doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

Wexford threw everything at the home side in added time, but some stout defending kept them at bay and secured a semi-final spot for the Tipp boys.

It was a performance which underlined the strength of underage hurling in Tipperary at present, with the minor team through to the Munster final and now the back-up squad in the hunt for national honours.

Scorers: Tipperary: Morgan O’Connor (0-6, 0-4f), C Lawlor 1-2, L Murphy, J Heffernan, S O’Brien, C Doherty, K Grace, E Kennedy, D McDonnell, C Cairns all 0-1 each.

Wexford: Charlie Ennis (0-5, 0-4f), Conor Lacey 1-1, Kevin Whelan 1-0, Cillian Higgins 0-2, Patrick Tyrell, Jamie Walsh, Conor Doyle all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Cathal Ryan (Loughmore Castleiney); Rory Hackett (Kiladangan), Jack R Walsh (Roscrea), Charlie Carroll (Roscrea); Steven O’Brien (Newport), Luke Murphy (Roscrea), Charlie Cairns (Burgess); Owen Fanning (Killenaule), James Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg); Kevin Grace (Ballinahinch), Alan Burke (Shannon Rovers), Eoin Kennedy (Boherlahan Dualla); Charlie Lawlor (Durlas Óg), Morgan O’Connor (Cappawhite), Conor Doherty (Moycarkey Borris).

Subs used: Noel Power (Carrick Swans), Daniel McDonald (Loughmore Castleiney), Ultan O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs), Sean Lanphier (Moycarkey Borris), Aaron Lee (Newport), Shane O’Mahoney (Ballylooby Castlegrace).

Wexford: Alex Doyle; Cathal Redmond, Donncha Proctor, Killian Rooney; Myles Perry, Luke Redmond, Aodhan Sane; Cillian Higgins, Charlie Ennis; Pierce Summers, Patrick Tyrell. Conor Doyle; Jamie Walsh, Kevin Whelan, Conor Lacey.

Subs used: Sean Kinsella, Oliver Power.

Referee: Simon Stokes (Cork)