Above – Paddy McAleer who scored Antrim’s goal against Tipperary
National Football League – Division 4
Tipperary 1-13 Antrim 1-09
It was a frustrating afternoon for Mark Doran men in Moneygall, as a combination of a controversial red card and testing conditions saw Antrim fall to a 1-13 to 1-09 defeat against Tipperary. Despite the setbacks, the Saffrons showed immense character, battling with 13 men in the closing stages and coming within a whisker of snatching a result in this Allianz Football League Division 4 clash.
The game’s major talking point arrived just before half-time with Antrim leading 0-05 to 0-04. After a consultation with the linesman, referee Ian Monaghan brandished a straight red card to John Carron, a decision that left the Saffron faithful reeling and the team with a massive uphill task for the second half. Up to that point, the visitors had looked composed, with O’Donovan Rossa’s Dominic McEnhill in clinical form, accounting for five superb points from play throughout the contest.
The Saffrons refused to buckle even after a Daithí Hogan goal pushed the hosts ahead early in the second period. A slaloming run from Conhuir Johnston briefly regained the lead for Antrim, and they were right back in the mix in the 54th minute when a Dominic McEnhill shot dropped short, allowing Paddy McAleer to react quickest and slide the ball into the net. This surge brought the gap back to a single point and forced the Tipperary defence into a desperate scramble.
Valiant defensive work from John McNabb and EoghanMcCabe, who both cleared certain scores off the line, kept the dream of a comeback alive deep into the match. However, the numerical disadvantage eventually took its toll. A late free from Pat Shivers cut the deficit to one again, but Tipperary’s late flurry of points, coupled with a second booking for Pat Shivers in stoppage time, finally ended the Saffron challenge.
While the result leaves Antrim searching for their first win of the campaign, the grit shown by the likes of James McAuley, Ronan Quinn, and the tireless Paddy McAleer provides a solid foundation heading into the next round. The Saffrons will now turn their attention to a must-win home fixture against Longford, where they will hope for a full 15 on the pitch and a change in fortune.
TIPPERARY: S Garland; J Harney, J Morris, E O’Connell; C King, P Feehan, L Boland; J Higgins, K Costello; M Stokes, S O’Brien, M Freaney; C Smith (0-03, 3f), S O’Connor (0-07, 5f), D Hogan (1-03, 0-01m).
Subs: M Russell for Higgins (58), K Butler for King (58), C Deely for O’Brien (58), P O’Keeffe for Smith (63), J O’Neill for Stokes (68).
The Saffrons made several late changes to their half-forward line and full-back positions before throw-in, resulting in the following starting fifteen:
ANTRIM: J McNabb; J McAuley, J Finnegan, K Keenan; E Walsh, E McCabe, M Jordan; P McAleer (1-00), J Carron; R Quinn, O Doherty, N Burns (0-01); P Shivers (0-02, 2f), C Johnston (0-01), D McEnhill (0-05, 2tp).
Subs: C Hynds for Burns (42), P McBride for Quinn (49), R McQuillan for Doherty (61), C Hand for Keenan (69).Referee: I Monaghan (Roscommon).