Tipperary take a significant step forward

Tipperary 1-13 Wexford 0-15:IT WASN'T a bad week for Tipperary football was it? The county's minors got the ball rolling by claiming back-to-back provincial titles for the first time since 1935 and now the seniors are on a roll.

A one-point victory over Wexford at Semple Stadium in Saturday’s qualifier represented a shock of sorts. For the first time since 2003, Tipp have now won two championship matches in the same season. And they can approach round three of the qualifiers with some optimism after defeating a Wexford team that rattled Dublin at Croke Park.

This result will fuel speculation about Wexford boss Jason Ryan’s future. He’s spent five seasons at the helm with this team – and may be unwilling to commit to a sixth. “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Ryan, who also revealed that Ben Brosnan and Eric Bradley were left out of his starting line-up due to injury.

Deep in stoppage time, Brosnan dragged a shot wide as Wexford went in desperate search of a point to take the game into extra-time.

But Tipp held on, having led by seven points in the first half, 1-6 to 0-2. Donagh Leahy’s 14th-minute goal helped them on their way but by half-time, Wexford were back to within three points, trailing by 0-6 to 1-6. Tipp moved five clear again but back came Wexford to draw level with 16 minutes left – and with real momentum.

But Tipp found a kick again – with 19-year-old Michael Quinlivan and man-of-the-match Brian Fox leading the charge.

Tipp manager Peter Creedon said: “It was a great result – we played some really good football. I’m thrilled that we held on for the one-point win as I thought we should have been further ahead at half-time.”

TIPPERARY:P Fitzgerald; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; B Fox (0-2), R Kiely, A Campbell (0-1); G Hannigan, H Coghlan (0-1); R Ryan, B Mulvihill, D Leahy (1-0); M Quinlivan (0-4, one free), P Austin (0-2), P Acheson (0-1). Subs: A Maloney (0-2, frees) for Mulvihill (35), S Scully for Ryan (51), A Matassa for Scully (65), B Mulvihill for Austin (66), L Egan for Quinlivan (70).

WEXFORD: A Masterson; G Molloy, L Chin, R Tierney; B Malone, D Murphy, A Doyle; A Flynn, D Waters; R Barry (0-4, three frees, one 45), C Morris, C Carty; PJ Banville (0-3), C Lyng (0-2), S Roche (0-5, three frees). Subs: P Byrne for C Carty (44), B Brosnan (0-1) for Morris (44), E Bradley for Roche (60), N Murphy for Doyle (70).

Referee:Michael Duffy (Sligo).