TIPPERARY'S dismal run continued at Clonmel when they went under by a goal to Longford, having been reduced to 14 men just before half-time.
Playing with the wind Tipperary made all the early running and were six points clear after 12 minutes. Their defence was then caught napping when a quickly taken free was picked up by Niall Sheridan who had Longford's opening goal in the 14th minute. Top scorer Enda Barden had a second goal after 22 minutes, making it 2-2 to 0-7.
In the second quarter Tipperary hit a magical seven-minute spell, notably with goals from Conor O'Shea and Dessie Lyons to lead by 2-9 to 2-2. The turning point came in the 31st minute when Tipperary's centre back Sean Collum was red carded and Enda Barden then closed the first-half scoring with Longford's third point. With wind advantage and making full use of the extra man Longford took over on the re-start and when corner forward Pauric Davis rifled home their third goal after 39 minutes the sides were level, 2-9 to 3-6 Longford scored 1-7 after the break and held Tipperary to a single score - a Derry Foley point in the 59th minute.
TIPPERARY: S Delahunty; M Kelly, C O'Dwyer, L Cronin; , B Hessy, S Collum, P J Lanigan; J Costello, D Foley (0-2); P Cahill (0-1), D Hogan (0-1), S Maher; P Lambert (0-4), T Lyons (1-1), C O'Shea (1-1). Subs: J WIlliams for T Cahill D Byrne for C O'Dwyer.
LONGFORD: G Tomra: C Conefrey, D Ledwith, B Burke; E Ledwith, M Lennon, R Forbes; E Barden (1-3), A Kehoe; T Drake (0-2), C Kehoe (0-1), D Hannify; P Barden (0-2), N Sheridan (1- 0), P Davis (1-2). Sub: S McNamara for M Lennon. M Mulleady for C Conefery, D Barry for P Davis.
Referee: D Joyce (Galway).
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