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Result: Tipperary 3-21 Louth 0-7
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Afternoon all and welcome to Thurles for our first game in today’s triple-header of GAA qualifier action.
Two Tipperary changes to tell you about as Robbie Kiely and Ger Mulhair replace Ian Fahey and Brian Fox.
Here’s how Tipperary will start.
Tipperary
1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan Kilcash
2. Ciarán McDonald – Aherlow
3. Paddy Codd Capt. – Killenaule
4. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
5. Seamus Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
6. Peter Acheson – Moyle Rovers
7. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
8. Colin O’Riordan – J K Brackens
23. Robbie Kiely – Carbery Rangers
17. Ger Mulhair – Arravale Rovers
11. Conor Sweeney – Ballyporeen
12. Liam Casey – Cahir
13. Kevin O’Halloran – Portroe
14. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
15. Philip Austin – Borrisokane
And here’s how Louth will start.
Louth
1. Craig Lynch (Naomh Mairtin)
2. Padraig Rath (Dreadnots)
3. Dessie Finnegan (St Patrick’s)
4. Anthony Williams (Dreadnots)
5. Declan Byrne (St Mochta’s)
6. Darren O’Hanlon (St Patrick’s)
7. Adrian Reid (Mattock Rangers)
8. Tommy Durnin (Westerns)
9. James Califf (Dreadnots)
10. Bevan Duffy (St Fechin’s)
11. Paraic Smith (Dreadnots)
12. Conal McKeever (Clan Na Gael)
13. Ryan Burns (Hunterstown Rovers)
14. Colm Judge (Newtown Blues)
15. Ronan Holdcroft (St Fechin’s)
It’s a wet and overcast afternoon here in Thurles but the action is under way. Tipperary miss an early chance to score as Kevin O’Halloran cuts a free wide.
Goal for Tipperary from Ger Mulhair!
Tipperary 1-1 Louth 0-0
Cracking start by Tipperary as O’Halloran makes amends by tapping over a 13-yard free after Michael Quinlivan was fouled before Mulhair cut through and finished to the net.
Tipperary 1-1 Louth 0-2
Louth bounce back from the concession of that goal as Ryan Burns points a free and Declan Byrne knocks over another from play.
Tipperary 1-1 Louth 0-3
Super point by Ronan Holdcroft for Louth.
Tipperary 1-1 Louth 0-4
Four in a row now for Louth as they draw level after Burns converts a free.
Tipperary 1-2 Louth 0-4
Tipperary rally as Philip Austin is fouled and O’Halloran slots over his second free of the game.
Really good attacking play by Tipperary involving Colin O’Riordan, Ger Mulhair and Quinlivan nearly yields a goal but O’Halloran’s shot is heroically blocked by the covering Louth defence.
Tipperary 1-3 Louth 0-4
Tipperary get something from that attack courtesy of a ’45 from O’Halloran. The U21 forward has settled well on his championship debut, taking over freetaking duties from Conor Sweeney.
Tipperary 1-4 Louth 0-4
Splendid long-range point by Peter Acheson pushes Tipperary three points clear.
Tipperary 1-6 Louth 0-4
That’s five on the bounce now for Tipperary as they gain a grip on this game. Philip Austin and Acheson notch points.
Tipperary 1-6 Louth 0-5
Declan Byrne points again for Louth to cut the deficit.
Sub: Eoin O’Connor on for Louth for Conal McKeever.
Tipperary 1-8 Louth 0-5
Tipperary push further ahead with Austin and Quinlivan – who got a pre-match boost in passing accountancy exams during the week – firing over points.
Tipperary goal from a penalty by Conor Sweeney!
Tipperary 2-8 Louth 0-6
The home side are really putting daylight between the teams now. Sweeney is awarded a penalty after a footblock by the Louth defence and he despatches to the net in style.
Half-Time: Tipperary 2-10 Louth 0-6
Pointed frees by Conor Sweeney and O’Halloran leave Tipperary ten to the good at the interval.
The teams are back out here for the second-half action.
Tipperary 2-12 Louth 0-6
Good flowing football by Tipperary with Quinlivan and debutant Liam Casey notching excellent points. Jimmy Feehan made a brilliant run downfield to set up Quinlivan’s score.
Tipperary 2-13 Louth 0-6
Wing-back Seamus Kennedy on target now to stretch Tipperary’s lead further.
Third goal for Tipperary from Colin O’Riordan!
Tipperary 3-13 Louth 0-6
We’re only five minutes in to the second-half but this game already looks done and dusted. O’Riordan sends in a speculative shot from midfield with the ball dropping short and goalkeeper Craig Lynch fumbled it into the net.
Subs: Tipperary bring in Brian Fox for Ger Mulhair and Colm O’Shaughnessy for Seamus Kennedy while Louth’s Jim McEnaney replaces James Califf and they bring in Derek Maguire for Ronan Holdcroft.
Sub: Another of Tipperary’s U21 players is brought on as Jason Lonergan comes in for Liam Casey.
Sub: Tipperary emptying the bench now as Barry Grogan comes in for Philip Austin.
Tipperary 3-15 Louth 0-6
Barry Grogan and O’Halloran convert frees and Tipperary are sailing into the next round. They lead now by 18 points.
Sub: Brian Mulvihill on for Tipperary for Kiely.
Tipperary cruising to victory here, it’ll be their second comprehensive championship win this year after their 22 point success over Waterford in the Munster quarter-final.
Tipperary 3-19 Louth 0-7
Huge ironic cheer as Louth get their first score of the second-half after 31 minutes of action through Ryan Burns. Tipperary go straight down the field and should have scored their fourth goal with Colin O’Riordan through but he blazed over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Tipperary 3-20 Louth 0-7
Jason Lonergan grabs his first point since coming on for Tipperary.
Full-Time: Tipperary 3-21 Louth 0-7
So that’s all from our first game of the day in Thurles as Tipperary cruise in to Round 3B of the All-Ireland football qualifiers. Bad day for Louth football, they exit after a 23-point beating.
