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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Mayo v Tipperary, All-Ireland SFC semi-final

These two sides are 70 minutes away from securing an All-Ireland final date in September.

It’s the first All-Ireland SFC semi-final. It’s Mayo-Tipperary. Not a pairing you’d have expected at the beginning of the season, but then again 2016 has been the year of the underdog.

Kevin O’Brien here and I’ll be providing minute-by-minute coverage for this last four showdown, while our man Fintan O’Toole is on the ground in Croke Park.

Mayo stand in the way of Tipperary making a first All-Ireland football final since 1920. They face a tricky task against this freewheeling, fearless Premier outfit. Then again, if Mayo perform anywhere near their potential, they’ll surely have a big date in September to look forward to.

Mayo’s form has been patchy this season, but they put together their most complete performance of the year against Tyrone in the quarter-final.

Colm Boyle, Lee Keegan, Seamus O’Shea, Cillian O’Connor and Andy Moran were outstanding against the Ulster champions. Aidan O’Shea gave his best display in 12 months. Stephen Rochford will be hoping his key players step up to the plate once again.

Tipperary’s dual aerial threat of Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney are two of the most potent finishers in the land, while they’ve got a hard-working core of runners around the middle third.

There should be plenty of football on show this afternoon between two teams who’ll have a go.

Throw-in is at 3.30pm.

Can Tipperary cause Mayo more Croke Park heartbreak? Let us know in the comments section below.

ONE change for Mayo – Barry Moran starts instead of Kevin Keane. Tipperary start as selected.

Here’s how the teams will line out:

Tipperary

1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)

2. Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan)
3. Alan Campbell (Moyle Rovers)
4. Ciarán Mc Donald (Aherlow)

5. Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
6. Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers)
7. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)

8. Peter Acheson (Capt.) (Moyle Rovers)
9. George Hannigan (Shannon Rovers)

10. Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle)
11. Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials)
12. Brian Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty)

13. Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe)
14. Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen)
15. Philip Austin (Borrisokane)

Mayo

1. David Clarke (Ballina Stephenites)

2. Brendan Harrison (Aghamore)
24. Barry Moran (Castlebar Mitchels)
4. Keith Higgins (Ballyhaunis)

5. Lee Keegan (Westport)
6. Colm Boyle (Davitts)
7. Patrick Durcan (Castlebar Mitchels)

8. Seamus O’Shea (Breaffy)
9. Donal Vaughan (Ballinrobe)

10. Kevin McLoughlin (Knockmore)
11. Aidan O’Shea (Breaffy)
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballintubber)

13. Jason Doherty (Burrishoole)
14. Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen)
15. Cillian O’Connor (Capt.) (Ballintubber).

You’d imagine that late switch to the Mayo team means Lee Keegan will start in the full-back line on Michael Quinlivan.

Here we go!

Barry Moran has started as a Mayo sweeper, while Lee Keegan is picking up Michael Quinlivan in the full-back line.

2 mins – Mayo 0-1 Tipperary 0-0

With that trademark dummy off his left, Andy Moran fires Mayo in front. Tipp had earlier hit two wides.

3 mins – Mayo 0-1 Tipperary 0-1

A lightning fast counter-attack and Philip Austin handpasses over the bar to level matters.

Tipp’s Conor McDonald is picking up Andy Moran, but he isn’t afraid to bomb forward when they’ve possession.

7 mins – Mayo 0-1 Tipperary 0-2

Quinlivan strokes over a free to give Tipp a lead. They’ve started really well here.

Robbie Kiely is black-carded for a drag-down! That’s a key man gone after just nine minutes!

9 mins – Mayo 0-2 Tipperary 0-2

That was a blatant pull by Kiely. He can have no complaints there. Meanwhile Cillian O’Connor levels the game with a close-range free.

Tipp’s Shane Leahy is in for Kiely.

12 mins – Mayo 0-2 Tipperary 0-3

O’Halloran kicks Tipp into the lead.

15 mins – Mayo 0-2 Tipperary 0-4

Quinlivan slots over another free to put them two in front. Quinlivan and O’Connor won’t miss many frees today.

Jimmy Feehan slots into centre-back for Tipp. Diarmuid O’Connor kicks a free wide from a wide angle.

19 mins – Mayo 0-3 Tipperary 0-4

O’Shea drives forward to win a free that Cillian O’Connor converts

Evan Comerford’s kick-outs have been outstanding for Tipp.

22 mins – Mayo 0-3 Tipperary 0-5

Another free from Quinlivan. Tipp are well on top. Mayo really need to get going.

Players compete Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Five wides apiece so far.

24 mins – Mayo 0-3 Tipperary 0-6

Conor Sweeney has been quiet today but he raises the roof by firing Tipperary three in front.

Diarmuid O’Connor kicks a sixth wide for Mayo after Aidan O’Shea forced a turnover in midfield. He’s been one bright spark for the Westerners.

GOAL for Mayo! Jason Doherty with the goal after Keith Higgins opened up the Tipp defence with a lightning run!

27 mins – Mayo 1-4 Tipperary 0-6

That’s the confidence a goal gives you! Diarmuid O’Connor puts Mayo in front with a lovely score.

29 mins – Mayo 1-5 Tipperary 0-6

Golden goal chance for Kevin McLoughlin after a breath-taking Mayo move but he took his point from close-range. That’s 1-2 on the trot for Mayo in about four minutes.

30 mins – Mayo 1-6 Tipperary 0-6

Mayo are attacking in waves now and Andy Moran swings one over from 45m out. Impressive football in the last few minutes.

31 mins – Mayo 1-7 Tipperary 0-6

Lee Keegan nails one from deep as Mayo lead by four. Sub Shane Leahy is replaced by Alan Moloney on the Tipp side.

32 mins – Mayo 1-7 Tipperary 0-7

Conor Sweeney scores a key point for Tipp. Colm Boyle had pulled off an outstanding block earlier in the Tipp attack.

34 mins – Mayo 1-8 Tipperary 0-7

Moran curls over one off the left. Mayo are creating goal chances every time they kick the ball in early to their full-forward line.

We’ll have two minutes of added time at the end of the first-half…

35 mins – Mayo 1-10 Tipperary 0-7

Turnovers are costing Tipp. Aidan O’Shea becomes the sixth Mayo forward to score. Mayo are five ahead now. Moments later Andy Moran sends over another point off his left foot.

Half-time: Mayo 1-10 Tipperary 0-7

It’s going to take a serious effort from Liam Kearns and his players to turn this around.

Like they’ve done all season, Mayo turned up the heat for a spell and blew Tipp away. They look hungry for goals too.

We’re back underway for the second 35 minutes.

36 mins – Mayo 1-11 Tipperary 0-8

An early O’Halloran free reduces the gap to five. Diarmuid O’Connor lands over a trademark effort from outside the right.

40 mins – Mayo 1-11 Tipperary 0-10

Lee Keegan gets a yellow card for persistent fouling. Meanwhile Quinlivan strokes over a free to leave four between them again.

44 mins – Mayo 1-11 Tipperary 0-11

Quinlivan sends over a free from a tight angle.

47 mins – Mayo 1-11 Tipperary 0-12

Feehan is fouled and Quinlivan converts the free. Two points now between these sides. This is a game that could have gone away from them but now they’re right back in it.

48 mins – Mayo 1-11 Tipperary 0-12

Tipp have pushed right up on Mayo and it’s paying dividends. Quinlivan goes close to a score but Hawk-Eye says it’s wide. Big moment.

Alan Campbell has done a really good job on Andy Moran after half-time.

Aidan O'Shea with Brian Fox Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Aidan O'Shea with Colm OÕShaughnessy Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

Seamus O’Shea is replaced by Tom Parsons. Aidan O’Shea has switched to full-forward in the last few minutes.

CHANCE! Andy Moran’s quick-thinking almost resulted in a Mayo goal but Evan Comerford pulled off a fantastic save by making himself big. Leaving Cillian O’Connor to kick a point from the free might have been a better option there.

55 mins – Mayo 1-12 Tipperary 0-12

Big score by Colm Boyle after some good build-up play from Andy Moran and Aidan O’Shea.

Conor O’Shea is in for Jason Doherty on the Mayo team.

Mayo are holding on to possession, trying to draw Tipp out. They’re not showing enough pace to break down Tipp, who still trail by three.

Andy Moran is coming off. He kicked 0-4 today. The crowd gives him a great reception. Evan Regan replaces him.

GOAL! Conor O’Shea scores at a key moment for Mayo!

64 mins – Mayo 2-12 Tipperary 0-12

Evan Regan slipped as he shot and the ball rolled into the path of Conor O’Shea, who finished first-time on the ground past Comerford. David Maher has been sent-off for Tipp after an off-the-ball incident.

It’s all falling apart for Tipp. Ian Fahey comes in for Kevin O’Halloran.

Bill Maher was sent off for a striking offence.

67 mins – Mayo 2-13 Tipperary 0-12

Chris Barrett comes in for Colm Boyle, who is a black-card away from a suspension. Cillian O’Conner slots over a free.

68 mins – Mayo 2-13 Tipperary 0-13

Sweeney kicks a close-range free. Alan Dillon is in for Kevin McLoughlin.

73 mins – Mayo 2-13 Tipperary 0-14

Another free from Quinlivan.

Full-time: Mayo 2-13 Tipperary 0-14

Mayo are back in the All-Ireland SFC final. Another big day out for them to look forward to!

That’s all from Croke Park. Thanks for joining us.

From Kilkenny hurling and Munster rugby to the Tipperary football physio

Poll: Who do you think will win today’s All-Ireland football semi-finals?

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