Allianz Football League Division 3 – Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 0-10

Grogan the ace for Tipp

Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 0-10

By Jackie Cahill for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Monday, April 04, 2011

STAR forward Barry Grogan kicked nine points as Tipperary boosted their survival hopes with an impressive win at Semple Stadium. And if results go their way next Sunday, the Premier County could even be celebrating promotion back to Division 2. A disciplined defensive performance from the hosts restricted Wexford to just three points from play before a meagre attendance of 336. At the other end, Grogan was Tipp’s matchwinner again but there were solid displays from the home side as Philip Austin’s tireless display was rewarded with three points from play.

Crucially, Tipp were 0-11 to 0-7 clear at half-time having played against a stiff first half breeze and Wexford could never get any closer in the second-half. Grogan was denied a goal in the 47th minute by Anthony Masterson while at the other end, Redmond Barry rattled the crossbar with 15 minutes remaining, before Ciarán Lyng’s follow-up was smothered by keeper Matthew O’Donnell. Tipperary held sway at midfield where Brian Jones and George Hannigan were assisted by the roving Johnny Cagney. Barry and Ben Brosnan were the only Wexford forwards to register points from play while Tipp had scoring contributions from five players, including a superb late point from sub Niall Curran. With 15 minutes remaining, Tipp’s led 0-14 to 0-10 but Wexford failed to score for the remainder of the tie and conceded three further points.

Scorers for Tipperary: B Grogan 0-9 (6f), P Austin 0-3, S Grogan & B Mulvihill 0-2 each, N Curran 0-1.

Scorers for Wexford: C Lyng 0-4f, B Brosnan 0-4 (3f), R Barry & A Doyle 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: M O’Donnell; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; C Aylward, H Coghlan, B Fox; B Jones, G Hannigan; J Cagney, P Austin, B Mulvihill; B Coen, S Grogan, B Grogan.

Subs: D McGrath for Coen (59), N Curran for Mulvihill (66).

WEXFORD: A Masterson; N Murphy, G Molloy, A Doyle; B Malone, D Murphy, A Morrissey; R Quinlivan, D Waters; S O’Neill, R Barry, F Ryan; C Lyng, P Byrne, B Brosnan.

Subs: C Morris for Ryan (ht), A Flynn for Morrissey (44), S Roche for Byrne (48).

Referee: R Maloney (Limerick)

Grogan brothers in control

From the Irish Times newspaper

GAA: NFL DIVISION THREE: Tipperary 0-17 Wexford 0-10 NINE 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. 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)