Munster Under 17 Football Competition – Tipperary 2-15 Clare 2-4

Daryl Darcy U17 Football, Tipperary v Clare

Dr. Morris Pk, October 21st.

In round two of the Daryl Darcy U17 Football Tournament played in Dr. Morris Park on Friday night last, Tipp made it two wins from two outings in seeing off the Clare challenge to run out comfortable winners by an eleven point margin. Having defeated Limerick by four points in their opening game a bigger test was expected from the Banner but it never materialised as Tipp leading from start to finish defended solidly in eliminating any Clare scoring threat while up front Tipp’s finishing proved all too much for the Clare defence.

From the throw in Tipp playing into a fairly strong cross field wind pressed forward and within twelve minutes had raced into a four point lead with points by Diarmuid Devaney (2) and one each by Dylan Fitzgerald and Adrian Dawson . Tipp continued to make the possession pay off going six clear with corner forward Kevin O’Halloran landing two well taken points before Clare finally opened their scoring with a point after twenty minutes.

Any doubts about a Clare upset were well and truly banished in the next few minutes with the score of the match as wing back Thomas O’Donoghue with a fifty metres diagonal cross field ball found Simon Delaney who quickly off loaded to the supporting Adrian Dawson on his outside who went on to give the Clare goalie no chance with an unstoppable shot to the net from outside the small square. With the interval in sight Clare scored their second point before Adrian Dawson replied with a pointed free to bring Tipps half time score to 1-7 to Clares 0-2.

The second half saw Tipp continue in the driving seat and within twenty minutes of the resumption had built up a fifteen point gap with points by Adrian Dawson, Simon Delaney, Dylan Fitzgerald, Jack Feeney and a Conor Moloughney goal. Clares third point was quickly cancelled out with further points by Kevin O’Halloran and substitutions Greg Henry and Sean Nally before a mini Clare revival which yielded 2-1 including a deflected ball to the net from one of the Tipp backs and a converted penalty. All Ireland minor star Killenaule’s Greg Henry had the final say for Tipp with a long range point in what was another competent display of under age football in the county.

Final Score, Tipperary 2-15 Clare 2-4

Tipp Team, Gearoid Slattery (Cashel KC), Darren Cass (Clonmel Comms), Niall Gleeson (Portroe), Eoin Donaghy (Cahir), Thomas O’Donoghue (Lattin/Cullen), Conor Hayes (Moycarkey Borris), Dylan Fitzgerald (Fethard) 0-2, Brian Walsh (Clonmel Comms), Brian Hyland (Fr. Sheehys), Jack Feeney (Inane Rvs) 0-1, Adrian Dawson (Emly) 1-3, Simon Delaney (Cashel KC) 0-1, Conor Moloughney (Boherlahan Dualla) 1-0, Diarmuid Devaney (Newcastle) 0-2, Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe ) 0-3.

Subs used included Thomas Keaveney (Killenaule), Thomas Fitzgerald (Holycross/Ballycahill), Sean Nally (Holycross/Ballycahill) 0-1, Greg Henry (Killenaule) 0-2, Sean Cunningham (Lattin/Cullen), Mikey Breen (Ballina), and Dean McEnroe (J.K.Brackens ). Cathal Hurley (Fethard) and Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Comms) inj completed the squad.

By Tommy Fitzgerald, On behalf of Tipp Minor Football