Tipperary in late surge

ALL-IRELAND MFC QUARTER FINALS: Tipperary 0-11 Meath 0-7 TIPPERARY SCORED five of the last seven points to earn an semi-final berth following a four-point win over Meath at Portlaoise yesterday.

The sides were level five times during the game, including three occasions in the opening half, until Tipperary’s late rally, with top-scorer Michael Quinlivan very much to the fore.

The full forward bagged four points overall, with two of those scores coming back-to-back in the 58th minute, with Ian Fahey and Bill Maher also central to the Premier County’s strong finish.

Defences were prominent in the opening half, as both sides were eager to make a positive start.

Bobby O’Brien and Philip Quirke traded scores inside the opening six minutes, but Meath broke ahead in the 16th minute thanks to a Bryan McMahon free.

Indeed Meath could have edged further in front two minutes later, but McMahon was denied a goal after his shot came off the posts.

Both defences stood firm in the middle third of the opening half, until Quinlivan bagged Tipperary’s first score in 20 minutes, to tie the game for the second time.

Quinlivan and Oliver Sheridan swapped scores to tie the game at 0-3 apiece at the break.

The teams were level on two further occasions within eight minutes of the restart, until Tipperary took command.

Half back Colin O’Riordan pushed Tipperary 0-6 to 0-5 clear in the 41st minute, and this lead was extended to three points with eight minutes remaining.

Meath tried hard, with scores from McMahon and Anthony Forde, but Tipperary upped their game late on to secure a last-four berth.

TIPPERARY: G Slattery; N Sullivan, J Meagher, C O'Sullivan; C O'Riordan (0-1), D Fitzelle (0-1), S Kennedy; S O'Brien, I Fahey (0-2, one free); G Henry, P Quirke (0-2, frees), B Maher (0-1); L McGrath, M Quinlivan (0-4, two frees), J McGrath. Subs: J Lonergan for Henry (50 mins), TJ Ryan for Fahey (60 mins), J Martin for Quinlivan (64 mins).

MEATH: R Burlingham; C Finn, C McGill, O Fitzpatrick; A Forde (0-1), P Harnan, S Melia; S McEntee, A Flanagan; S Sheridan, B O'Brien (0-1), O Sheridan (0-1); B McMahon (0-4, three frees), C O'Sullivan, W McGrath. Subs: E Wallace for S Sheridan (38 mins), C Sheridan for McEntee (44 mins), D Smyth for McEntee (50 mins), R Gore for McGill (60 mins), R Farrelly for McGrath (62 mins).

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Derry)

Next up:

In the All-Ireland minor football semi-finals, Tipperary will meet Roscommon, while Dublin will take on Galway. Dates and times to be confirmed.