Tipperary in deep relegation trouble after eight points home defeat to Antrim

Allianz Football League Division 3 Round 3

Tipperary  1-19 Antrim 0-14

Tipperary poor start to this year’s Allianz Football League went from bad to worse at FBD Semple Stadium this evening with an eights points defeat to Antrim, who like Tipperary came into this game on the back of two opening defeats.

With the exception of a brief period early in the game when Tipperary led by 0-2 to 0-1 after eight minutes, it was pretty much an encounter dominated by the Ulster visitors who were full value for their victory in the end.

A 13th minute goal by Conor Stewart after running from midfield through the heart of the Tipp defence set the Saffrons up well and they drove on to lead by 1-8 to 0-6 at the interval. Indeed Antrim might have been further ahead had they converted a 32nd minute penalty which Creggan’s Ruairi McCann put badly wide.

Tipp introduced two subs at the break hoping to kick-start a comeback but it was the impressive Pat Shivers who added two points within 90 seconds of the restart to stretch the advantage for Andy McEntee’s side out to seven.

One of the half-time subs Donough Leahy fisted over a response for Tipp three minutes in, but Antrim went on to kick seven of the next eight points, all from play, to just a single response from Tipp, a Jack Kennedy free. After 22 minutes of the second half Antrim were well in the clear leading 1-17 to 0-8 and Tipperary looked a sorry picture as the visitors bossed proceedings.

Over the closing minutes Tipperary added on four more points from Jack Kennedy (2), Kevin Fahey and Martin Kehoe, while Antrim kept their tally mounting with three late points and were full value for their first win of this campaign.

Antrim were the better team in the first half and full value for their 1-8 to 0-6 lead at the interval.

The northerners took the game to the hosts right from the start and the very first move of the game resulted in a close-in free giving Ryan Murray a tap-over close in point for the lead. Tipp with points from Liam McGrath (free) and a fine effort from wing-back EmmetMoloney edged in front after eight minutes.

However Antrim emphatically took control with a fine solo goal from Conor Stewart in the 13th minute when the Ballymena midfielder won the kick-out and carved his way through the Premier middle too easily to score a cracking goal past Michael O’Reilly.

The Saffrons kicked on with three unanswered points from Michael Byrne (free), Marc Jordan and Pat Shivers to lead 1-4 to 0-2 after 21 minutes.

Tipp responded well with three of their own from Jack Kennedy, a well-taken point from Mikey O’Shea after a patient build up and another from the returning Paudie Feehan from the outside of the boot from 30 metres in the 26th minute to narrow the gap to just two points.

The next four points though were all from Antrim with Ruairi McCann, Ryan Murray, Marc Jordan and the other Ruairi McCann pointing.

The last score of the first half was a fine individual point from Teddy Doyle from out under the Old Stand from 35 metres. It was one of very few highlights in a disappointing Tipperary display that leaves them looking down the barrel of relegation after just three games, with three away fixtures still to following, including a trip to Fermanagh next weekend.

TIPPERARY TEAM

Michael O'Reilly (Clonmel Commercials), Shane O'Connell (Golden/Kilfeacle), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Colm O'Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan), Emmet Moloney (Drom & Inch 0-1), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials 0-1), Dean Carew (Upperchurch Drombane), Paudie Feehan (Killenaule 0-1), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 0-1), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials 0-5, 0-3F), Teddy Doyle (Ballina 0-1), Mikey O'Shea (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone 0-1), Liam McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney 0-1F)), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs: Martin Kehoe (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone 0-1) for Boland (half-time); Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers, 0-1) for Deely (half-time); Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen) for O’Shea (52 minutes); Mark Stokes (Kilsheelan/Kilcash) for McGrath (53 mins) Tommy Maher (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Kennedy (60) 

ANTRIM TEAM

Michael Byrne (0-2 0-1F, 0-1x45), Ronan Boyle, Barry McCormick, James McAuley, Oisin Lenehan, Joseph Finnegan, Marc Jordan (0-2), Kevin Small, Conor Stewart (1-0), Patrick Finnegan, Ryan Murray (0-2,0-1F), Ruairí McCann (Creggan (0-2) , Pat Shivers (0-4), Ruairí McCann (St Mary’s 0-1), Colm McLarnon.

Subs: Odhran Eastwood (0-3) for Murray (inj, 29 minutes); Dominic McEnhill (0-2) for McLarnon (52); Jack Dowling for Small (60); Colum Duffinn for Shivers (62 mins); Seamus McGarry for Ruairi McCann (St Mary’s).