Co-op Superstores Munster Hurling League

Tipperary 2-22 Clare 0-20

By Shane Brophy at McDonagh Park

Liam Cahill secured his first win as Tipperary senior hurling manager as his side had eight points to spare in their second game of the Coop Superstores Munster Hurling League in Nenagh on Sunday.

Off the back of their midweek defeat to Waterford, Tipp were hoping to keep themselves in the hunt of making the final and they did just that with a deserved victory with goals in either half from Sean Ryan and Jason Forde proving decisive.

The sides were deadlocked 1-10 to 0-13 at half time with Sean Ryan finally converting a litany of goal chances as a youthful Tipp side always were threatening with Gearoid O’Connor particularly impressive on the forty, as was Seamus Kennedy in his new attacking role.

Robyn Mounsey was Clare’s leading attacker with three points from play while Mark Rodgers was threatening. Clare were awarded a penalty on 27 minutes when Davy Conroy was pulled down which resulted in Bryan O’Mara being sent to the sin-bin. Peter Duggan struck the penalty well but it was well saved by Barry Hogan.

Tipperary were awarded two penalties of their own in the second half, both struck by sub Jason Forde, the first well pushed over the bar by Eamonn Foudy, but he could do nothing about the second in the 53rd minute which gave Tipperary the impetus to go on to record an eight point win.

Tipp now must wait for the outcome of the Clare v Waterford game next weekend to determine whether they will make the final.

Scorers for Tipperary: Gearóid O’Connor 0-8 (6f, 1 65), Jason Forde 1-3 (1-1 pens), Seán Ryan 1-1, Conor Stakelum 0-2, Barry Hogan (f), Enda Heffernan, Séamus Kennedy, Alan Tynan, Jake Morris, Mark Kehoe, Cian O’Dwyer, Johnny Ryan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Peter Duggan 0-5 (3f, 1 pen), Robin Mounsey 0-4, Davy Conroy, Mark Rodgers, Diarmuid Ryan 0-3 each, Patrick Crotty, Aidan McCarthy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Barry Hogan; James Quigley, Michael Breen, Gavin Ryan; Enda Heffernan, Bryan O’Mara, Brian McGrath; Paddy Cadell, Conor Stakelum; Alan Tynan, Gearoid O’Connor, Seamus Kennedy; Jake Morris, Mark Kehoe, Sean Ryan.

Subs: Conor McCarthy for G Ryan (HT); Jason Forde for Kehoe (48); Cian O’Dwyer for Tynan (55); Johnny Ryan for Cadell (55); Conor Bowe for Morris (62); John Campion for Stakelum (66); Jack Ryan for S Ryan (68).

Clare: Eamonn Foudy; Cian Nolan, Conor Cleary, Adrian Hogan; Brandon O’Connell, Darragh Lohan, Cian Galvin; Paddy Donnellan, Seadna Morey; Patrick Crotty, Davy Conroy, Peter Duggan; Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, Robyn Mounsey.

Subs: Diarmuid Ryan for Morey (31); Aron Shanagher for Crotty (HT); David McInerney for Nolan (50); David Fitzgerald for Galvin (50); John Conneally for O’Connell (55); Ryan Taylor for Hogan (70+3); Oisin O’Donnell for Lohan (70+7).

Referee: Eamonn Stapleton (Limerick).