Tipperary defeated Laois by 3-17 to 4-9 in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Round 3A Qualifiers on Saturday July 12th at O’Moore Park Portlaoise.
SFC Round 3A: Tipperary through to last 12
GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3A: Tipperary 3-17 Laois 4-9
Report from the GAA.ie web site
Tipperary continued their progress through the ‘back door’ but having looked at half-time like they were cruising to a comfortable victory, they were forced to withstand a Laois rally before finishing strongly once more. Conor Sweeney had a goal in the third minute when he slipped Pádraig McMahon brilliantly before sliding coolly beneath the advancing Graham Brody from the angle.
Laois responded with an excellent point from Donie Kingston, who then did fantastically to set up John O’Loughlin for a goal. Laois led by two points after 12 minutes but failed to score for the rest of the half, while Tipperary totted up a goal and nine points in that same period.
Michael Quinlivan and George Hannigan were doing much of the damage with their untracked runs from deep and Darren Strong – back in the side having been dropped last week for playing a challenge match with his club Emo – was moved onto the former after he had kicked his third point. Sweeney’s second goal came in the 25th minute as he pounced on an error by Brody, who spilled Barry Grogan’s delivery from the right wing.
It was 2-10 to 1-3 at the break but Laois got themselves back into the game within minutes of the resumption, thanks to goals from Niall Donoher and Conor Meredith. Tipperary looked to have steadied the ship with points from Philip Austin, Barry Grogan and Peter Acheson to stretch the margin to seven, but just as was the case against Cork, they appeared to lose their composure.
Laois deserve plenty of credit, particularly given the loss through injury of leaders Ross Munnelly and Colm Begley. Donie Kingston struck two excellent frees before substitute David Conway got on the end of a fine move to find the Tipperary net. He brought the sides level in the 62nd minute but Laois could not get their noses in front.
Instead, Laois hit black card trouble and eventually finished with 14 players as the hard-working Conor Meredith was unluckily sent packing, with his side having used their full quota of subs. Having edged two points ahead from frees, Tipperary made sure, with Grogan almost walking the ball into the net.
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TIPPERARY: P Fitzgerald, G Mulhair, P Codd, C McDonald, C O’Riordan 0-2, R Kiely, P Acheson 0-1, S O’Brien, G Hannigan, M Quinlivan 0-3, J Coghlan, B Fox 0-2, B Grogan 1-3(0-1f), P Austin 0-4, C Sweeney 2-2(0-1f)
Subs: I Fahey for Mulhair (48), C Kennedy for Austin (10), B Mulvihill for Grogan (70+2).
LAOIS: G Brody, P McMahon, P Begley, P O’Leary, D Strong, R Kehoe, C Begley, K Meaney, J O’Loughlin 1-0, C Meredith 1-0, B Sheehan 0-1, N Donoher 1-1, R Munnelly, D Kingston 0-4(3fs), D O’Connor
Subs: J Finn for Munnelly inj (29), S Attride for Meaney (ht), D Conway 1-1 for O’Connor (ht), MJ Tierney 0-1(45) for Kehoe BC (44), E Costello 0-1 for C Begley inj(52), Meaney for McMahon BC (66).
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Report: Daragh Ó Conchúir
Team News
The Tipperary team to play Laois is unchanged from the side which defeated Longford in Round 2 of the Qualifiers.
1. Paul Fitzgerald Fethard
2. Ger Mulhair Arravale Rovers
3. Paddy Codd (Capt) Killenaule
4. Ciarán McDonald Aherlow
5. Colin O’Riordan J K Brackens
6. Robbie Kiely Arravale Rovers
7. John Coghlan Moyne-Templetuohy
8. Steven O’Brien Ballina
9. George Hannigan Shannon Rovers
10. Philip Austin Borrisokane
11. Peter Acheson Moyle Rovers
12. Brian Fox Eire Óg Annacarty
13. Conor Sweeney Ballyporeen
14. Michael Quinlivan Commercials
15. Barry Grogan Aherlow
Laois have made two changes for tomorrow’s All-Ireland senior football qualifier against Tipperary in Portlaoise. Darren Strong comes into the defence for Denis Booth while Damien O’Connor replaces Stephen Attride in attack.
1. Graham Brody (Portlaoise)
2. Padraig McMahon (Ballyroan Abbey)
3. Paul Begley (Stradbally)
4. Peter O’Leary (O’Dempsey’s)
5. Darren Strong (Emo)
6. Robbie Kehoe (O’Dempsey’s)
7. Colm Begley (Parnells)
8. Kevin Meaney (Arles-Kilcruise)
9. John O’Loughlin (St Brigid’s)
10. Conor Meredith (O’Dempsey’s)
11. Billy Sheehan (Emo)
12. Niall Donoher (Courtwood)
13. Ross Munnelly (Arles-Kilcruise)
14. Donal Kingston (Arles-Killeen)
15. Damien O’Connor (Timahoe)
