Allianz Football League Division 4 – Tipperary 2-24 Carlow 1-8

Tipperary defeated Carlow by 2-24 to 1-8 in round 1 of the Allianz Football League Division 4 on Sunday February 2nd at Dr Cullen Park.

On-song Sweeney helps Tipp demolish Carlow

Report from the Irish Independent newspaper

Tipperary 2-24 Carlow 1-8

TIPPERARY right full-forward Conor Sweeney led the way, scoring a total of 1-8, as the Premier County demolished an insipid Carlow side by a massive 19 points in this one-sided opening round game at Dr Cullen Park.

The visitors gained more than ample revenge for their one-point home defeat to Anthony Rainbow’s men in last year’s opening round league clash as they dominated a game in which Carlow were down to 14 men from the 10th minute when Paul Broderick was issued with a straight red card for a striking offence.

A physically bigger and more mobilie Tipperary side were on top in all sectors and were in front within 30 seconds of the throw-in when left half-back Donagh Leahy pointed from play. Sweeney quickly raised another white flag, before a brace of Carlow points by Brendan Murphy and Darragh Foley levelled matters.

Almost immediately the visitors were back in front when Barry Grogan pointed and this time there was no way back for Carlow as Tipp continued to build on their lead, picking off some fine points as the Barrowsiders’ challenge fell apart.

By half-time Peter Creedon’s men were 0-12 to 0-4 ahead – Carlow might have had a goal on the cusp of the break when left half-back Graham Power found himself one on one with Tipperary goalie Paul Fitzgerald, but shot over the bar.

Interval Carlow substitute Jordan Lowry pointed direct from the restart but it proved a false dawn for the home support as Sweeney countered almost immediately with a Tipp point.

Tipperary were 0-14 to 0-5 ahead when Seamus Kinsella scored Carlow’s goal on the 45th minute after he himself was foot-tripped in the large square. The Tipperary response was for Grogan to point from the kick-out. Tipp goals from Philip Austin and Sweeney in the 49th and 54th minute rubbed salt into the Carlow wounds as the visitors romped to a 19-point victory, with 11 players sharing in their huge total.

SCORERS – Tipperary: C Sweeney 1-8 (0-2fs), B Grogan 0-6, (3fs), P Austin 1-1, D Leahy 0-2, A Morrissey, P Acheson, C McCullough, M Quinlivan, I Fahy, A Matassa, G Hally 0-1 each. Carlow: S Kinsella 1-0 (pen), D Foley, G Power 0-2 each, B Murphy, D St Ledger (f), J Lowry, S McGrath (f) 0-1 each.

Tipperary – P Fitzgerald 7; J Coughlan 7, P Codd 7, A Morrissey 7; G Mulhare 6, R Kiely 6, D Leahy 7; G Hannigan 6, P Acheson 7; B Fox 6, B Grogan 8, C McCullough 6; C Sweeney 9, M Quinlivan 6, P Austin 7. Subs: S O’Brien for Kiely 21; I Fahy 6 for McCullough (44); A Campbell 6 for Mulhare 51; A Matassa (57); B O’Brien for Quinlivan (62); G Hally for Acheson (66).

Carlow – A O’Brien 6; B J Molloy 5, M Curry 5, J O’Donoghue 5; K Nolan 5, B Kavanagh 6, G Power 6; H Gahan 5, D Foley 6; P Reid 5, D St Ledger 5, D Bambrick 5; P Broderick 5, B Murphy 6, S Kinsella 5. Subs: J Lowry 5 for Nolan (h/t); C Moran 5 for St Ledger (h/t); S McGrath 5 for Reid (49); M Brennan for Gahan (60); M Meaney for Curry (60).

Ref – D Gough (Meath)

Sweeney leads Tipp rout

Report from the HoganStand.com

Tipperary 2-24 Carlow 1-8

Corner forward Conor Sweeney helped himself to 1-8 as Tipperary opened their Allianz League campaign with a big win at Dr Cullen Park. The visitors had 11 different scorers against a Carlow side who played most of the game with 14 men after corner forward Paul Broderick was sent off for striking in the 10th minute.

With Sweeney, Andy Morrissey and Donagh Leahy in fine scoring form, Tipp went on to lead by 0-12 to 0-4 at the break. Seamus Kinsella’s 45th minute goal gave the home side hope before Peter Creedon’s men replied with goals of their own from Philip Austin and Sweeney to run out 19-point winners.

Tipperary – P Fitzgerald; J Coghlan, P Codd, A Morrissey (0-1); G Mulhare, R Kiely, D Leahy (0-2); G Hannigan, P Acheson (0-1); B Fox, B Grogan (0-6, 3f), C McCullough (0-1); C Sweeney (1-8, 0-2f), M Quinlivan (0-1), P Austin (1-1). Subs: S O’Brien for Kiely, I Fahy (0-1) for McCullough, A Campbell for Mulhare, A Matassa (0-1) for Fox, B O’Brien for Quinlivan, G Hally (0-1) for Acheson.

Carlow – A O’Brien; B J Molloy, M Curry, J O’Donoghue; K Nolan, B Kavanagh, G Power (0-2); H Gahan, D Foley (0-2); P Reid, D St Ledger (0-1f), D Bambrick; P Broderick, B Murphy (0-1), S Kinsella (1-0 pen). Subs: J Lowry (0-1) for Nolan, C Moran for St Ledger, S McGrath (0-1f) for Reid, M Brennan for Gahan, M Meaney for Curry.

Referee – D Gough

Team News

The Tipperary Senior Football team to play Carlow in the Allianz Football league shows two newcomers in the starting 15 with Ger Mulhaire of Arravale Rovers at left half back and Conal McCullough of Commercials at right corner forward. Michael Quinlivan is the only U21 player in the starting 15. The team is:

1. Paul Fitzgerald Fethard

2. John Coghlan Moyne Templetuohy

3. Paddy Codd Killenaule

4. Andrew Morrissey Galtee Rovers

5. Ger Mulhare Arravale Rovers

6. Robbie Kiely Arravale Rovers

7. Donagh Leahy Arravale Rovers

8. George Hannigan Shannon Rovers

9. Peter Acheson Moyle Rovers

10. Brian Fox Eire Óg Annacarty

11. Barry Grogan Aherlow

12. Conal McCullough Clonmel Commercials

13. Conor Sweeney Ballyporeen

14. Michael Quinlivan Clonmel Commercials

15. Philip Austin Borrisokane

Survey Results

Will Tipperary gain promotion to Division 3 this year?

Yes – 77%

No – 23%

Predict the result

Tipp by 6+ points – 8%

Tipp by 4 to 6 points – 32%

Tipp by 1 to 3 points – 46%

Draw – 1%

Carlow by 1 to 3 points – 8%

Carlow by 4 to 6 points – 4%

Carlow by 6+ points – 1%