Tipperary’s Under 21 Footballers defeated Leitrim by 1-18 to 1-7 in round 1 of the Hastings Cup played at Mohill on Saturday.
U21 Football – Hastings Cup – First Round
Saturday January 4th
Tipperary v Leitrim, Mohill 2pm.
Final score, Tipperary 1-18 Leitrim 1-7
In their first competitive outing of the year Tipperarys U21 Footballers made the long journey to Mohill on Saturday last for a first round Hastings Cup clash with Leitrim and making the trip worthwhile came away with a well deserved eleven point margin victory on a score line of, 1-18 to 1-7.
Backboned by a number of Tipps 2011 All Ireland Minor football final winning side, Tipp went into the game as firm favourites and apart from a ten minute spell in the second half when Leitrim fought back cutting a seven points deficit back to two points, they never allowed the opposition out of their sights, taking control in most areas all over the field to run out comfortable winners in the end.
With Tipp creating a lot possession in the opening six minutes it finally payed off with a Jason Lonergan point and for the remainder of the first period proved the dominant side adding a further eight points with Stephen O’Brien slotting over three points including a 45, Liam McGrath 0-2, Josh Keane, Sean Flynn and Seamus Kennedy 0-1 each for a six point advantage at the break, to lead 0-9 to Leitrims 0-3 who replied through Niall Brady, Brian Beirnie and Niall Woods with a point each.
Ten minutes into the second half Tipp had stretched the lead to seven but every team has a period of dominance and Leitrim to their credit hit back with 1-2 narrowing the gap to two points including a converted penalty by Shane Quinn with the initial shot coming off the bottom of the post.
However their would be no slip up by Tipp as they came storming back and a superb Stephen O’Brien at mid field proving a real thorn in Leitrims side by landing two 45s and a point from play and any hopes Leitrim had of making a further come back were finally dashed when Stephen O’Brien again with a speculative shot from fifty metres went all the way to the net putting Tipp firmly in the driving seat.
Further points by Sean Flynn (2), Paul Shanahan, Liam McGrath, Josh Keane and a cracking point by wing back Jack Loughnane sealed a well deserved win.
Second half scorers for Leitrim included Shane Quin 1-0, Cian Clinton 0-2, Brian Beirnie and Padraig Gallagher 0-1 each.
With no fewer than eight of the starting fifteen getting on the score sheet it reflects the hard work and competition for places that’s going on in training and while their will be tougher challenges ahead it provided David Power and the rest of the team management an ideal insight to what will be required down the road.
Next up for Tipp is against Wicklow in Round 2 of the Hastings Cup on Saturday next, January 11th, in Dr. Morris Pk, throw in 2pm.
In their first round game Wicklow had to settle for the runners up spot to a very polished Meath side who ran out very convincing winners.
Final score, Tipperary 1-18 Leitrim 1-7
Tipperary, Gearoid Slattery (Cashel KC), Niall O’Sullivan (Moycarkry/Borris), Conor O’Sullivan (Galte Rvs), Pierce Richardson (Arravale Rvs), Jack Loughnane (Silvermines) 0-1, John Meagher (Loughmore/Castleiney) Capt, Adrian Maguire (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Stephen O’Brien (Ballina) 1-6 incl. 0-3 x 45s, 0-2 frees and 1-1 play, Seamus Kennedy (Clonmel Comms.) 0-1, Jason Lonergan (Clonmel Comms.) 0-1, Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch/Drombane) 0-1, Sean Flynn (Fr. Sheehys) 0-3 (0-2 frees), Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney) 0-3 (0-1 free), Josh Keane (Golden/Kilfeacle) 0-2, Conor Kenneally (Moyle Rvs).
Subs all used, Shane Hassett (Drom/Inch), Mark Russell (Lattin/Cullen), Ed O’Meara (Aherlow), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Comms.), John McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Dean McEnroe (J.K.Brackens).
Leitrim, Diarmuid Mac Kiernan, Garry Butler, Ronan Reynolds, Enda Foley, James Rooney, Niall Woods 0-1 (45), Jak De Lacy, James Flynn, Declan Daly, Shane Quinn, 1-0, Cian Clinton 0-2, Alan McLoughlin, Padraig Gallagher 0-1, Brian Beirnie 0-2 (1free), Niall Brady 0-1.
Subs. Anthony Murray, Pat McHugh, Ronan Flynn, Michael Clancy, Adrian Sorohan, Barry Gilmartin, Enna Madden, Nicholas Moore, James Rooney, Thomas Mulvey.
By Tommy Fitzgerald on behalf of Tipp U21 Football
By Jonathan Cullen Sat 4th Jan
