Sport

Clinical Tipperary prevail

HURLING CHALLENGE/Tipperary 3-20 Dublin 0-26: TIPPERARY’S EYE for goal was the crucial difference as the All-Ireland champions…

Mon May 16 2011 - 01:00

HURLING CHALLENGE/Tipperary 3-20 Dublin 0-26:TIPPERARY'S EYE for goal was the crucial difference as the All-Ireland champions beat the new league champions in a lively challenge game in Athy last night.

In a fast-paced game, Tipperary began with the aid of a strong breeze and the ability of Séamus Callanan and Noel McGrath to pick off points from long range kept Dublin on the back foot.

An excellent Noel McGrath overhead pull released Callanan to crash to the net in the seventh minute. The Dubs went 10 minutes without scoring – during which time Tipp reeled off six points without reply.

Ryan O’Dwyer played at centre back against the lively Tipp attack and a late flurry of Dublin scores from Conor McCormack and Paul Ryan left the half-time score 1-14 to 0-9.

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Peter Kelly and Shane Durkin struck from distance to make it 1-14 to 0-14 but then John O’Brien’s run helped Callanan fire to the net in the 44th minute. Dublin chipped away and, though Ryan was denied a goal by a fantastic save from Tipp goalkeeper Darren Gleeson, the Dubs reduced the deficit to a point before a defensive lapse let in Pat Kerwick for a goal in the 58th minute to undo their good work with the breeze.

In a hectic finish Dublin emptied the bench and whittled away the lead but Benny Dunne’s late points sealed Tipp’s win.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; J Coughlan, P Curran, M Cahill; D Young, C O’Mahony (0-2f), S Lillis; S McGrath, J Woodlock (0-1); B Dunne (0-3), S Callanan (1-4), N McGrath (0-6, one free, two 65); S Bourke (1-1), J O’Brien (0-3), L Corbett. Subs: P Kerwick (1-0) for Callanan (50 mins), P Maher for Coughlan (50 mins).

DUBLIN: G Maguire; P Kelly (0-1), N Corcoran, R Walsh; J McCaffrey, R O’Dwyer (0-1), S Durkin (0-4); M O’Brien (0-2), A McCrabbe; D O’Dwyer, C McCormack (0-2), C Keaney (0-1); D O’Callaghan (0-2), D Treacy (0-1), P Ryan (0-10, eight frees). Subs: A Nolan for Maguire, P Schutte for Walsh, M Quilty for McCrabbe all half-time, S Ryan for O’Dwyer 45, D Curtin for O’Brien 47, P Carton for Treacy 48, C McBride (0-1) for O’Callaghan 55, J Sheanon for McCaffrey 58, D Plunkett (0-1) for McCormack 65.

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).