Allianz Football League Division 3 – Tipperary 3-17 Longford 0-18

Tipperary defeated Longford by 3-17 to 0-18 in Round 4 of the Allianz Football League Division 3 on Saturday March 11th at Semple Stadium Thurles.

REPORT: #AllianzLeagues Football Division Three victory for @TipperaryGAA against @OfficialLDGAAhttps://t.co/kb7khv5qPf

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 11, 2017

Allianz FL D3: Vital win for Tipperary

Allianz Football League Division Three

TIPPERARY 3-17 LONGFORD 0-18

Report By Jackie Cahill for GAA.ie

Conor Sweeney’s marksmanship moved Tipperary into second place in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League this evening. The Ballyporeen clubman helped himself to 2-7 as the Premier County saw off Longford by eight points at Semple Stadium.

Tipp suffered a damaging setback away from home against Longford in last year’s campaign, but they made no mistake on home soil. Tipp led by 2-10 to 0-12 at the break, a four-point lead but it could have been better for the hosts, who led by nine on three separate occasions.

The hosts got off to a whirlwind start, Josh Keane landing a free before Sweeney, all alone and in oceans of space, was left one-on-one with Paddy Collum and duly converted the opening goal of the game in the third minute. Three minutes later, Tipp were in again and Longford were punished for more slack defending as Jimmy Feehan pounced for the home side’s second goal.

Michael Quinn, operating in the half-forward line for Longford, was a beacon of hope for the visitors, who gradually worked their way back into contention as the half wore on. But in the 22nd minute, Tipp were nine points clear, 2-9 to 0-6, before Longford reeled off six unanswered points to boost their challenge.

Tipp closed out the half with a point from Liam Casey, but were facing into a battle after the interval. So it proved as Longford provided dogged opposition and were within three points of Tipp on many occasions. That was before Tipp pulled away with a run of 1-4 without reply, Sweeney palming home from close range eight minutes from time to reward the approach play of Michael Quinlivan and Robbie Kiely.

Tipp now face Offaly away from home next weekend as they aim to keep their promotion push on track. This was impressive stuff from Tipp, who showed real intent to see off the Midlanders. Longford have now lost valuable ground of their own but, bar Quinn, they struggled for scores from play.

Robbie Smyth bagged seven points for Denis Connerton’s men in this rearranged fixture – but six of those were frees. Sweeney was Tipp’s star man from an attacking perspective – and 2-4 of his haul came from play.

Scorers for Tipperary: Conor Sweeney 2-7 (3fs), Jimmy Feehan 1-0, Kevin O’Halloran 0-3 2f), Philip Austin 0-2, Liam Casey, Josh Keane (f), Brian Fox, Michael Quinlivan (f) and Liam Boland 0-1 each.

Scorers for Longford: Robbie Smyth 0-7 (6fs), Michael Quinn & Sean McCormack (2f) 0-3 each, John Keegan, Diarmuid Masterson, Larry Moran, Ronan McEntire and Brian Farrell 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: Evan Comerford; Alan Campbell, Paddy Codd, Willie Connors; Emmet Moloney, Robbie Kiely, Jimmy Feehan; Liam Casey, George Hannigan; Josh Keane, Kevin O’Halloran, Brian Fox; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Philip Austin
Subs: Liam Boland for Hannigan (46), Shane O’Connell for Connors (49), Kevin Fahey for E Moloney (60), Alan Moloney for Casey (64), Liam McGrath for O’Halloran (66), Joseph Hennessy for Kiely (70+3).

LONGFORD: Paddy Collum; Donal McGelligott, Dermot Brady, Padraig McCormack; Barry O’Farrell, Barry Gilleran, Barry McKeon; Darren Gallagher, John Keegan; James McGivney, Diarmuid Masterson, Michael Quinn; Liam Connerton, Sean McCormack, Robbie Smyth
Subs: Andrew Farrell for McGelligott (b/c 21), Larry Moran for O’Farrell (26), Brian Farrell for McGivney (h.t.), Daniel Mimnagh for Masterson (51), Ronan McEntire for Gallagher (57).

REFEREE: Martin McNally (Monaghan).

PREVIEW: #AllianzLeagues Div 1 @TyroneGAALive v @CavanCoBoardGaa and @TipperaryGAA v @OfficialLDGAA in Div 3https://t.co/N3sdE9Lyr8

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 10, 2017

Fixture Details

11.03.2017 (Sat)
Allianz Football League Roinn 3 Round 4 Re-Fixture
Semple Stadium, Thurles 17:00
Tiobraid Árann v An Longfort
Referee: Martin McNally (Muineachán)

Team News

the Tipperary football team to play Longford in the refixed Round 4 tie in Roinn 3 of the Allianz Football League also in Semple Stadium at 5pm tomorrow evening has also been announced by manager Liam Kearns and it is the same as that announced for the postponed fixture.
The team lines out as follows;
1. Evan Comerford – Kilsheelan-Kilcash
2. Alan Campbell – Moyle Rovers
3. Paddy Codd – Killenaule
4. Willie Connors – Kiladangan
5. Emmett Moloney – Drom & Inch
6. Robbie Kiely – Carbery Rangers
7. Jimmy Feehan – Killenaule
8. Liam Casey – Cahir
9. Jack Kennedy – Clonmel Commercials
10. Josh Keane – Golden-Kilfeacle
11. Kevin O’Halloran – Portroe
12. Brian Fox (Capt.) – Éire Óg Annacarty-Donohill
13. Conor Sweeney – Ballyporeen
14. Michael Quinlivan – Clonmel Commercials
15. Philip Austin – Borrisokane