Tipperary 2-12
Antrim 0-13
Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium, Thurles
SECOND HALF GOALS from All-Star Michael Quinlivan and Philip Austin helped Tipperary to gain a winning start in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League.
The Premier County overturned a four-point first half deficit to win by five in front of 722 spectators at Semple Stadium.
Both goals arrived following long deliveries from Alan Moloney, with Conor Sweeney providing the assists.
With Tipp a point down, 0-10 to 0-11, Quinlivan’s 56th minute goal was a crucial score and when Austin pounced six minutes from time, the points were secure for the hosts.
But it wasn’t all plain sailing for Tipp, who were 0-5 to 0-7 behind at the end of a disappointing first half.
Antrim packed bodies behind the ball and Tipp found it difficult to find a way through, before a more direct approach in the second half paid rich dividends.
Antrim suffered a real blow approaching half-time when lively forward Ryan Murray was black-carded for an apparent hand-trip, a call hotly-contested by the Saffrons.
C.J. McGourty came on to score four points but he was also responsible for some poor second half misses.
After Evan Comerford did well in the first half to keep out Stephen Beatty’s palmed effort, his opposite number and Antrim goalkeeper Chris Kerr pulled off a fine save from Quinlivan early in the second half, diverting the ball onto the post.
By then, Tipp had gone ahead for the first time in the game but Antrim – who were 0-7 to 0-3 up in the first half – rallied to lead by 0-11 to 0-9, before the Premier County scored the crucial goals.
In stoppage time, Tipp lost captain Brian Fox and debutant Willie Connors to black cards.
With all six subs used, the loss of Connors left Tipp playing the closing seconds a man light.
And Antrim were reduced to 14 players when Conor Murray was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Scorers for Tipperary: Philip Austin 1-2, Conor Sweeney 0-4 (2f), Michael Quinlivan 1-0, Josh Keane 0-2f, Kevin Fahey, Robbie Kiely, Liam McGrath (f) & Brian Fox 0-1 each.
Scorers for Antrim: C.J. McGourty 0-4 (2f), Ryan Murray 0-3 (2f, 1 sl), Paddy McBride & Matthew Fitzpatrick 0-2 each, Paddy McAteer & Conor Murray 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
2. Alan Campbell (Moyle Rovers)
3. Paddy Codd (Killenaule)
4. Willie Connors (Kiladangan)
5. Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials)
6. Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers)
7. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)
8. Alan Moloney (Rockwell Rovers)
9. Martin Dunne (Moyle Rovers)
10. Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle)
11. Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
12. Brian Fox (Captain) (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill)
13. Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen
14. Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials)
15. Philip Austin (Borrisokane)
Subs
17. Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe) for McGrath (h.t.)
20. Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch) for K Fahey (46)
18. Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials) for Dunne (66)
21. Liam Boland (Moyle Rovers) for Quinlivan (68)
19. Joseph Hennessy (Loughmore-Castleiney) for Codd (69)
26. Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) for Fox (b/c 70+1)
Antrim
1. Chris Kerr (Naomh Gall)
2. Peter Healy (Naomh Eanna)
3. Patrick Gallagher (Naomh Seosamh, Lann Abhaigh)
4. Conor Hamill (Naomh Seosamh, Lann Abhaigh)
5. Paddy McBride (Naomh Eoin)
6. James Laverty (Clann na hÉireann)
7. Paddy McAteer (Naomh Uíle)
8. Martin Johnson (Ciceam an Creagán)
9. Jack Dowling (Naomh Bríd)
10. Declan Lynch (Lamh Dhearg)
11. Conor Murray (Lamh Dhearg)
12. Stephen Beatty (Uí Donnabháin Rosa)
13. Ryan Murray (Lamh Dhearg)
25. Conor Small (Ciceam an Creagán)
15. Matthew Fitzpatrick (Naomh Eoin)
Subs
24. CJ McGourty (Naomh Gall) for R Murray (b/c 35)
20. Ruairi McCann (Naomh Mhuire, Achadh Galláin) for Small (52)
21. Ruairi Scott (Naomh Eanna) for Beatty (63)
26. Sean Donnelly (Uí Donnabháin Rosa) for Lynch (64)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
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