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Grogan brothers in control

GAA: NFL DIVISION THREE: Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 0-10 NINE POINTS from Barry Grogan inspired a shock win for Tipperary over table…

Mon Apr 04 2011 - 01:00

GAA: NFL DIVISION THREE: Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 0-10NINE POINTS from Barry Grogan inspired a shock win for Tipperary over table-toppers Wexford at Semple Stadium yesterday.

Four of Grogan’s points came from play as the Tipperary outplayed a very disappointing Wexford. In the process they eased their own relegation worries, and gave themselves an outside chance of figuring in the promotion shake-up.

Hungrier for the ball and far more industrious than their rivals, Tipperary set out their stall in the second quarter as they opened a six-point lead against the fresh breeze. The sides shared eight points after 17 minutes, but then Tipperary took control.

With the Grogan brothers, Barry and Séamus, showing the way, they shot five points without reply and were six ahead as the game went into injury time. Wexford had points from Aindreas Doyle and Ben Brosnan in added time but at the break Tipperary were 0-11 to 0-7 clear.

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Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson denied Tipp’s Barry Grogan a likely goal with a brave save in the 46th minute and the Leinster men stayed in touch.

In the 57th minute, with four points between the sides, a rasping Redmond Barry shot rattled the Tipperary crossbar, and goalkeeper Matthew O’Donnell made a point-blank save from Ciarán Lyng’s effort off the rebound.

A Wexford goal would have set up an exciting finish, but Tipperary took advantage of the let-off, hitting three points through Grogan, Niall Curran and Philip Austin in the closing 10 minutes for a comfortable win.

Depending on other results Tipperary could figure in the promotion battle if they beat Cavan in their last game next weekend.

TIPPERARY: M O'Donnell; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; C Aylward, H Coghlan, B Fox; B Jones, G Hannigan; J Cagney, P Austin (0-3), B Mulvihill (0-2); B Coen, S Grogan (0-2), B Grogan (0-9, 0-5 frees). Subs: D McGrath for Coen; N Curran (0-1) for Mulvihill.

WEXFORD: A Masterson; N Murphy, G Molloy, A Doyle (0-1); B Malone, D Murphy, A Morrissey; R Quinlivan, D Waters; S O'Neill, R Barry (0-1), F Ryan; C Lyng (0-4, frees), P Byrne, B Brosnan (0-4, 0-3 frees). Subs: C Morris for Ryan; A Flynn for Morrissey; S Roche for Byrne.

Referee: R Maloney (Limerick).