Sharper Mayo prove too strong

Mayo 3-10, Tipperary 1-8DESPITE A slow start which saw neither side able to raise a flag for the first 10 minutes Mayo surged to an eight-point win over Tipperary in this All-Ireland quarter-final tie at O'Connor Park, Tullamore yesterday.

Mayo’s sharper attack was to ultimately seal a semi-final place, two first-half goals building the platform for victory and the third, 15 minutes from time, really killing the game as a contest.

Tipperary’s main source of scoring came from frees, Billy Hewitt and Johnny McMahon sharing their eight points between them and their only score from play was a goal by Eddie Kendrick.

That came in the 21st minute just as Mayo were beginning to dominate after the opening score from Alex Durkan who found the net on 10 minutes. Five minutes later Darren Coen added a second goal as Mayo took command to lead 2-4 to 1-2 at the interval.

James McDonnell and Cillian O’Connor added two early points in the second half but the goal that effectively ended Tipperary’s interest in the championship came when Cillian O’Connor turned his marker and fired low into the net.

Mayo finished off the game in style with points from two of their substitutes, Brian Walsh and Darl Herbert, along with a second point from wing back Ciarán Charlton.

Mayo manager Ray Dempsey said after the game: “No disrespect to Tipperary but we have to step up again if we are to qualify for the final.”

MAYO:M Slingermann; M Walsh, K Rogers, D Gavin; M McCormack, S McDermott, C Charlton (0-2); D Kirby, A Walsh (0-1); D Coen (1-0), A Farrell (0-2), F Durkan; J McDonnell (0-1), C O'Connor (1-1), A Corduff (1-1). Subs: D Herbert (0-1) for Coen (40 mins), J Donoghue for McDonnell (50 mins), K Crowe for McCormack, B Walsh. (0-1) for Durkin (58 mins), J Carney for A Walsh.

TIPPERARY:A Wall; P Dalton, J Ryan, G Quinn; L Murphy, G, Mulhair, D O'Dwyer; A Matassa, E Hendrick (1-0); T Hill, B Hewitt (0-4 all frees), R McGrath; R Peters, J McMahon (0-4, all frees), S Fagan. Subs: L Treacy for Fagan (24 mins), S O'Meara for Peters (44 mins), M Ivors for Hill (45 mins), S Powers for Peters (46 mins), E Kent for Matassa (53 mins).

Referee:E Kinsella (Laois).