Tipperary 2-17 Dublin 1-15
All-Ireland MHC semi-final
Eoghan Cormican
A strong closing quarter – in which Liam Cahill’s charges outscored their opponents by 0-7 to 0-1 – advanced Tipperary to the All-Ireland minor hurling decider.
Trailing by 1-14 to 2-10 on 47 minutes, the Munster champions hit five on the bounce in a storming nine-minute spell to progress comfortable five-point winners.
Crucial in that closing spell was the accuracy of corner-forward Lyndon Fairbrother (0-4) and Tommy Nolan, Ruadhán Mulrooney and Shane Neville.
It was the Munster champions who made much the brighter start, forging 1-3 to 0-1 ahead after nine minutes. Lyndon Fairbrother (two frees) and Cian Darcy posted their three opening points before Tommy Nolan set up David Gleeson for the contest’s first goal.
Dublin, to their credit, didn’t lie down after such a poor opening and tallied four on the bounce through Matthew Oliver (0-3) and Ciarán Dowling to reduce the deficit to the minimum.
Tipperary, having switched-off after Gleeson’s green flag, rattled the Dublin net for a second time on 18 minutes. James Quigley and Cian Darcy were pivotal in putting through Tommy Nolan and the dual star beat Eoin Skelly with a low strike.
Dublin full-forward Alex Considine, having been twice denied a goal by Tipperary corner-back Quigley, provided the final pass to corner-forward Fergal Whitley for Dublin opening’s goal on 21 minutes.
It was very much game on again and the next four scores were shared, with Dublin landed three without reply approaching the break to leave the sides tied at 2-6 to 1-9 at the interval.
Dublin twice held the lead in the second-half, but were undone by their reliance on midfielder Matthew Oliver and the unstinting work-rate of the Premier rearguard.
Scores and teams:
Scorers for Tipperary: T Nolan (1-3); L Fairbrother (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65); D Gleeson (1-0); R Mulrooney (0-2); D Carey, C Darcy, G Ryan, A Tynan, S Neville (0-1 each).
Scorers for Dublin: M Oliver (0-10, 0-7 frees, 0-1 ’65); C Dowling (0-4); F Whitley (1-0; A Considine (0-1).
Dublin: E Skelly (Na Fianna); C Hendricken (Naomh Mearnóg), D Butler (Kilmacud Crokes), C Ryan (Craobh Chiaráin); D Gray (Whitehall Colmcille), P Smyth (Clontarf), E Foley (Naomh Ólaf); M Oliver (Na Fianna), C Sammon (Craobh Chiaráin); M Maguire (St Jude’s), C Dowling (Lucan Sarsfields), E Conroy (St Maur’s); F Whitley (Kilmacud Crokes), A Considine (Kilmacud Crokes), E Dunne (St Brigid’s).
Subs: C O’Sullivan (St Brigid’s) for Dunne (41 mins), G King (Na Fianna) for Whitley (43), D Ryan (St Brigid’s) for Gray (46), C Burke (St Vincent’s) for O’Sullivan (58), S Hickey (Fingallians) for Sammon (60).
Tippperary: P Hayes (Ballingarry); E Heffernan (Clonoulty Rossmore), E Moloney (Drom & Inch), J Quigley (Kildangan); K Hassett (Drom & Inch), B McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney), D Peters (Kilruane MacDonaghs); D Carey (Templederry Kenyons), L McCutcheon (Templederry Kenyons); G Ryan (Borrisokane), A Tynan (Roscrea), C Darcy (Kilruane McDonaghs); T Nolan (Drom & Inch), D Gleeson (Ballinahinch), L Fairbrother (JK Brackens).
Subs: R Mulrooney (Portroe) for McCutheon (25 mins), J Skehan (Holycross Ballycahill) for Darcy (47), M Connor (Drom & Inch) for Gleeson (47), S Neville (Lattin Cullen) for Ryan (61).
Referee: P O’Dwyer (Carlow).