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A stroke of luck in the first half and a stroke of brilliance in the second delivered vital goals for Tipperary at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada at Carrick-on-Shannon, as they confirmed their Division 3 status for 2021 with a narrow win over Leitrim.
Manager David Power spoke after the game about how a big upgrade to their positions would be required next weekend when they face Clare at the Munster Championship, and it would really be hard to argue that the Premier’s men were the best team in the world. Quantity comparison in Leitrim on Sunday either.
If there was a period in which they produced the best football, it was in the first 20 minutes, when they played in a strong wind and moved 1-05 to 0-03 with an advantage.
Leitrim didn’t seem to offer much of a threat outside of forward Ryan O’Rourke’s movement and footwork, while at the other end there were strong scores from Conal Kennedy and Brian Fox, as well as one big lucky guy. goal that was scored by Kevin O’Halloran.
Robbie Kiely and Michael Quinlivan combined to create the opportunity, but it was sheer luck that Quinlivan’s goal attempt missed on the outside of his boot and he spun into O’Halloran’s waiting hands for an easy finish.
Leitrim gave himself something to fight for kicking the last four points of time to keep the distance to a minimum, and after the break there was a noticeable increase in his intensity and urgency.
Donal Wrynn delivered a fielding masterclass in midfield, where Stephen O’Brien’s absence was deeply felt from Tipperary’s perspective, while Conor Dolan came to life with three points in the second half, thriving on his corner change to the left.
Keith Beirne kicked in a few points to take Leitrim two points ahead, while Tipperary couldn’t take advantage of the wind behind him at the other end, with only halftime substitute Liam Boland making a significant contribution. He, Brian Fox and Conor Sweeney all aimed to move Tipperary one point ahead, but there was no sign that Leitrim would throw in the towel, even though it was clear that the favor they needed from Offaly against Derry was unlikely to materialize.
With the tie in the crucible with five minutes left to play, a quality moment was always very likely to be highly significant and this was demonstrated when Tipp’s midfielder Liam Casey pierced the heart of Leitrim’s defense and selected the bottom corner. of the network. with a low driving perfect to push Tipp four points clear.
Conor Dolan and Keith Beirne halved that gap with late scoring, but the scoring opportunity Terry Hyland’s men needed never came, and after nearly eight minutes of additional time, Padraig Hughes’ final whistle confirmed their relegation to Division 4.
Leitrim: Brendan Flynn; Donal Casey, Conor Reynolds, Paddy Maguire; Cillian McGloin (0-01), Jack Gilheany, Aidan Flynn; Mark Plunkett, Donal Wrynn; Shane Quinn (0-01), Keith Beirne (0-06, 0-05 free), Domhnaill Flynn; Conor Dolan (0-04), Ryan O’Rourke (0-01), Darragh Rooney (0-01).
Subs: Evan Sweeney (0-01) by Plunkett (HT), Niall Brady by Rooney (56), Oisín McCaffrey by O’Rourke (60), David Bruen by McGloin (70 + 4).
Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, Jimmy Feehan, Colm O’Shaughnessy; Bill Maher, Kevin Fahey, Robbie Kiely; Liam Casey (1-00), Conal Kennedy (0-01); Jack Kennedy (0-02, 0-02 free), Michael Quinlivan (0-01), Brian Fox (0-02); Kevin O’Halloran (1-00), Conor Sweeney (0-03, 0-03 free), Rian Quigley.
Subs: Liam Boland (0-02) for Quigley (40), Colman Kennedy for Conal Kennedy (56), Jason Lonergan for O’Halloran (56), Alan Moloney for Fox (60), Emmet Moloney for Casey (70 + 4).
Referee: Padraig Hughes (Armagh)
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