Tipperary prove their quality again

GAELIC GAMES:TIPPERARY ARE through to their first All-Ireland minor football final since 1984 after a heroic 14-man display at Croke Park yesterday.

An epic journey that has also seen them topple Kerry and Cork to win Munster has put David Power’s men into the final. And this was another display to upset the form book – victory was secured despite playing the last 10 minutes without their star midfielder Ian Fahey, who was sent off for a second bookable offence.

“We are after beating some big hitters and if Cork or Kerry were here they’d be hot favourites. We were underdogs coming in and the next day will be tougher again.

“But as I’ve been saying this is no big surprise to us. We are winning underage titles and there was a target set out for a senior All-Ireland in 2020 and people are probably still laughing at that – but today emphasises it might be realistic,” said Tipp manager Power.

Power had cried foul during the week over the GAA’s refusal to grant them pre-match access to Croke Park for a training session and claimed Roscommon had an advantage having played two games at HQ.

But there was no sign of unfamiliarity about Tipp when the match started as they exploded out of the blocks.

The physically powerful trio of Stephen O’Brien, Ian Fahey and Philip Quirke weren’t long establishing a firm grip on proceedings with the towering Fahey surging forward to kick two fine points and another from a free as Tipp raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead inside eight minutes.

A shell-shocked Roscommon struggled to deal with the strength of the Tipp challenge and after 25 minutes it was 0-7 to 0-2.

Roscommon had a great goal chance through Kevin Finn in the 14th minute that forced an excellent save from ’keeper Evan Comerford and Finn was denied by a diving Dylan Fitzelle block in the 26th minute.

Roscommon’s quarter-final hero Thomas Corcoran landed a crucial 45 and Enda Smith added a fine point under pressure to try and spark a revival. But Tipp hit back with impressive wing back Colin O’Riordan kicking his second point to give Tipp a deserved 0-8 to 0-4 half time lead.

The Premier boys got off to a dream start to the second half when from the throw-in Ian Fahey raced inside and slipped a perfect pass to full forward Michael Quinlivan who fired to the net.

Roscommon responded and began to put some passes together instead of the over-elaboration that had dogged their earlier play and wing back Conor Daly pointed the way with two fine scores.

Then in the 51st minute Tipp star Ian Fahey was sent off on a second yellow card after a clash with Shane Carty. Corner forward Donie Smith came to the fore for the Rossies and landed two excellent points as they tried to force home their advantage.

But Tipp refused to wilt; they impressively tracked back and weren’t afraid to take their chances fouling further out the pitch to limit scoring chances and deny Roscommon a goal.

The resistance was typified by corner forward and captain Liam McGrath – a cousin of Tipp senior hurling star, Noel.

TIPPERARY: E Comerford; N O’Sullivan, J Meagher, C O’Sullivan; C O’Riordan (0-2), D Fitzelle, S Kennedy; S O’Brien (0-1), I Fahey (0-3, 0-1 free); G Henry (0-1), P Quirke, B Maher; L McGrath (0-1), M Quinlivan (1-1), TJ Ryan (0-1). Subs: J McGrath for Quirke (37 mins), J Lonergan for Henry (54 mins), C Kennedy (0-1) for TJ Ryan (55 mins), T Kirwan for S O’Brien (62 mins),

ROSCOMMON: C Lavin; D Murray, R Timothy, S Carty; M Connaughton, J McManus, C Daly (0-2); F Kelly (0-1), T Corcoran (0-1, 45); L Conlon (0-2), M Healy, E Smith (0-1); D Smith (0-4, 0-2 frees), K Finn, S Jordan. Subs: F Sweeney (0-1) for Jordan (37 mins), D Brandon for F Kelly (52 mins), M Gunning for Finn (62 mins).

Referee: D Brazil (Offaly).