Leinster Minor Football League, First Round
Tipperary v Laois
Killeshin (Laois), Saturday February 13th
Final Score – Laois 3-19 Tipperary 0-7
In their first competitive outing of the year Tipperary’s Minor Footballers took on Laois in the opening round of this years Leinster League on Saturday last in Killeshin Co Laois and came away empty handed as Laois ran out clear cut winners with twenty one points to spare on a score line of 3-19 to 0-7.
In what was a real baptism of fire for the Minor Footballers of 2016, they came up against a slick and well prepared Laois outfit that held all the aces throughout the field allowing Tipp very few opportunities to make any impact on the game.
With a number of new changes to the playing rules being introduced for the League including three hand passes only allowed before the ball is played away, a mark for a ball fielded from a kick out and no pass back to your goalie from inside the 45 metre line, all appeared to make a difference with both sides adapting well to the changes.
On the game itself and playing with the wind Laois dictated matters from the throw in and went on to build up a six point advantage at the break to lead, 0-11 to Tipp’s 0-5, with Ben Hyland 0-3 frees, Dara Egan and Shane Ryan 0-1 each, accounting for the Tipp scores and indeed only for the sharpness of goalie Jack Dolan the gap could have been much wider.
Any hopes Tipp had of reducing the deficit were blown five minutes into the second half as Laois got through for an early goal and despite Tipp’s best efforts Laois went on to add two further goals completing a second half tally of 3-8 and maintaining their superiority right to the finish.
Ben Hyland with two points completed Tipp’s scoring total of 0-7 but there was no denying a confident Laois side that defended and attacked in numbers producing some excellent scores on the way to run comfortable and deserving winners.
For Tipp a learning curve as they prepare for the Munster championship but will have an early opportunity to regroup and put the Laois result behind them this Saturday February 20th, when they clash with Louth in round two of the Leinster League.
Final score – Laois 3-19 Tipperary 0-7
Tipperary: Jack Dolan (Fethard), Oscar O’Dwyer (Arravale Rovers), Robbie Condon (Ardfinnan), Jack Harney (Moyle Rovers), Daire Brennan (Kilsheelan Kilcash), TJ Butler (Upperchurch Drombane), Joey Noonan (St Patricks), Conor Cashman (Cahir), Ben Hyland (Fr Sheehys) 0-5 (0-3 frees), Shane Ryan (Galtee Rovers) 0-1, Darragh Egan (Galtee Rovers) 0-1, Steven Quinlan (JK Brackens), Michael Barlow (Ardfinnan), Calvin Boland (Clonmel Commercials), John Lyons (Grangemockler).
Subs (all used) – Jack Hackett (Moycarkey Borris), Matthew Kelly (Durlas Og), Dean Carew (Upperchurch Drombane), Josh Macken (Ballyporeen), Ryan Lambe (Clonmel Commercials), Eoghan Ryan (Cappawhite), Colin O’Shea (Grangemockler), Cormac Maher (Arravale Rovers), Conor Murphy (Durlas Og).
