Tipperary 2-12
London 1-8
TIPPERARY FINALLY GOT off the mark in Division 4 of the Allianz National Football League with a seven-point victory over London in Thurles this afternoon.
Peter Creedon’s side had lost their opening two fixtures against Carlow and Waterford but they recovered to inflict a third successive defeat on the Exiles.
Just 251 spectators were present at a bitterly cold Semple Stadium and they watched as Tipp established a 1-6 to 0-3 lead at half-time.
Conor Sweeney scored Tipp’s first goal in the 29th minute and it was a fine effort at the Killinan End.
Sweeney latched on to a perceptive pass from George Hannigan, rounded Evan Byrne and finished clinically from a tight angle.
London were back to within three points in the 69th minute when Padraig McGoldrick netted a penalty.
But Hannigan turned goalscorer in stoppage time when he palmed home sub Hugh Coghlan’s vicious centre from the left touchline.
Peter Acheson’s late point made the game safe for Tipperary and Creedon has targeted four wins from his team’s four remaining League outings in an attempt to gain promotion to Division 3.
Scorers for Tipperary: G Hannigan & C Sweeney 1-1 each, B Grogan 0-3 (1f, 1 45), A Maloney 0-2f, P Acheson 0-2, B Fox, D Lowry & H Coghlan 0-1 each.
Scorers for London: P McGoldrick 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), L Colfer 0-4 (2f), G Crowley 0-1.
TIPPERARY: Paul Fitzgerald; John Coghlan, Paddy Codd, Andrew Morrissey; Donagh Leahy, Ciaran McDonald, Alan Campbell; George Hannigan, Peter Acheson; Brian Fox, Brian Jones, Aldo Matassa; Alan Maloney, Barry Grogan, Conor Sweeney.
Subs: Hugh Coghlan for Campbell (h.t.), Darren Lowry for Jones (51), Lorcan Egan for Maloney (64), Donal Lynch for Matassa (69).
LONDON: Evan Byrne; Stephen Curran, Kevin Lynam, David McGreevy; Seamus Hannon, Graham Carr, Danny Ryan; Jared Monaghan, Martin Carroll; Gergory Crowley, Lloyd Colfer, Ciaran McAllion; Padraig McGoldrick, Peter Atkinson, Mark Gottsche.
Subs: Edward Finnegan for Monaghan (31), Peter Finn for Carroll (inj, 32), Aidan McTigue for Atkinson (38), Eamon McConville for Ryan (38), Mark Cahalane for Carr (66).
Referee: Michael Meade (Limerick).
Clare 0-13
Offaly 2-5
CLARE are back in the promotion mix in Division 4 of the Allianz National Football League after Mick O’Dwyer’s side claimed a gritty two-point victory against Offaly in Tullamore this afternoon.
With fifteen minutes remaining, Brian Darby’s super goal put Offaly 2-4 to 0-9 clear but Clare rallied to claim what could turn out to be a priceless win.
Shane Ryan and David Tubridy replied with points for Clare to push them a point clear again.
And the Banner County finished strongly as Gary Brennan fisted over a point and Tubridy added another.
Richie Dalton bagged a late consolation point for Offaly but the home side slumped to a second successive defeat.
Clare led by 0-8 to 1-2 at half-time as Niall McNamee netted in the first half for Offaly. Both sides registered eleven wides each at O’Connor Park and Offaly badly need to beat Leitrim away from home next Sunday to keep their promotion hopes alive. Clare host Tipperary and a win there would put O’Dwyer’s side in a strong position as the season hots up.
Offaly: Alan Mulhall 0-1 (free); Brian Darby 1-0, Paul McConway, Eoin Rigney; Graham Guilfoyle, John Moloney, Michael Brazil; Ross Brady 0-1 (free), Alan McNamee; Matthew Mitchell, Brian Connor 0-1, Eoin Carroll; Bernard Allen, Niall McNamee 1-1, Peter Cunningham.
Subs: Sean Pender for E Rigney (25 mins), Paul McPadden for P Cunningham (29 mins), Derek Kelly for M Mitchell (33 mins), Richie Dalton 0-1 for B Allen (half time), Joe Maher for P McPadden (blood sub 56 -59 mins), Mark Young for A McNamee (63 mins).
Clare: Joe Hayes; Martin McMahon, Shane McNelis, Enda Coughlan 0-1; Sean Haugh, Gordon Kelly, Declan Callinan; Gary Brennan 0-1, Cathal O’Connor; Chris Dunning 0-1, Shane McGrath 0-2, Alan Clohessy 0-1; Mark McCarthy, Rory Donnelly, David Tubridy 0-6 (0-1 free, 0-1 ’45).
Subs: Podge McMahon for R Donnelly (53 mins), Shane Ryan 0-1 for A Clohessy inj (55 mins).
Referee: Brian O’Shea (Dublin).
Leitrim 1-16
Carlow 0-12
CARLOW’S promotion hopes suffered a big blow this afternoon as Leitrim scored an impressive seven-point victory at Dr. Cullen Park.
Leitrim were reduced to 14 men when Colm Clarke was sent off in the 19th minute but Carlow also lost a man later in the half when Derek Hayden was dismissed. At half-time, James Glancy’s early goal separated the sides and talisman Emlyn Mulligan was also in superb form for the Westerners.
Carlow opened the second half with scores from Shane Redmond and Darragh Foley but Mulligan responded with a crucial point from play.
Kieran Nolan hit back for Carlow but once again, that man Mulligan stepped up with a fisted point to keep Leitrim two points clear, 1-8 to 0-9.
After keeping Carlow at arm’s length, Leitrim stepped on the gas, with Mulligan, who finished with 0-8, pulling the strings. Brendan Murphy popped over the final score of the game but it was too little, too late for Anthony Rainbow’s outclassed Carlow as they lost for the first time this season.
