Allianz Hurling League Division One Group B
Tipperary 2-21 Antrim 0-12
Tipperary cruised to a fifteen point win over Antirm at rain soaked Corrigan Park on Satruday, a result that secures the Premier County’s place in the semi-finals.
Without ever having to be anywhere near their best Tipperary were always in control of the game against an Antrim side who fought to the bitter end, but were just lacking in quality, which considering the list of injuries is not at all surprising
Antrim tried their best but just could not match the skill level and pace of their much vaunted opponents. The result sees the Saffrons end their league campaign and it is clear they have a lot of work to do to get ready for the start of the championship in a few weeks’ time
Aodhán O’Brien put Antrim ahead in the early stages, but Sean Kenneally had the Premier County level inside a couple of minutes. Jason Forde’s first point, (he would go on to amass twelve over the seventy minutes), gave Tipperary the lead but O’Brien brought the home team back on terms for the second time. However with Antrim struggling for scores it wasn’t long to the Munster side were back ahead and they came with five on the bounce to start to open the gap. O’Brien was Antrim’s sole scorer in the opening period, adding another pair of frees as Eoghan Connolly got in on the act four the visitors.
A break from Conor Stakelum saw him find Jake Morris with a good ball and the corner forward grabbed the first of his two goals , while Forde’s sixth point of the half put the Primmer into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead.
Forde and O’Brien traded pointed from frees straight after the restart and the pair would continue to lead the way in the scoring stakes, both doubling their half-time tally,
Niall McKenna pulled one back for Antrim with the first of his three second half points and the Sarsfields man could have had more, but was denied a when Tipp’s goalkeeper Rhys Shelly blocked with his route.
Tipperary began to stretch their lead as substitutes Dan McCormack and Darragh Stakelum popped over a couple of points before Bryan O’Mara and Danny Slattery added to to thevisitors total.
Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde 0-12 (8fs, 1 65), J Morris 2-2, S Kenneally 0-2, E Connolly 0-1, B O’Mara 0-1, D Slattery 0-1, D McCormack 0-1, D Stakelum 0-1.
Scorers for Antrim: A O’Brien 0-8 (7fs), N McKenna 0-3, R McAteer 0-1
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Danny Slattery, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan; Michael Breen, Robert Byrne, Bryan O’Mara; Paddy Cadell, Eoghan Connolly; Conor Stakelum, Sean Kenneally, Noel McGrath; Jake Moris, Jason Forde, Dean Ryan.
Subs: Sean Hayes for S Ryan (HT), Darragh Stakelum for E Connolly (40), Cathal Quinn for P Cadell (49), Dan McCormack for N McGrath (56), Billy Seymour for S Kenneally (65).
Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Scott Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Enda Og McGarry; Eoghan Campbell, Niall O’Connor; Niall McKenna, Aodhán O’Brien, Conor Boyd; Eoin McFerran, Conor McCann, Fred McCurry.
Subs: Ronan McAteer for F McCurry (53), Christy McGarry for E Og McGarry (53), Eoin Trainor for S Walsh (62), Arron Bradley for C McCann (68), Ruairi McCormick for N O’Connor (68).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).
