Tipperary defeated Carlow by 0-13 to 0-8 in the Leinster Under 21 Football League Shield Semi-Final on Saturday, January 23rd in Dr. Morris Park Thurles.
U21 Football (Leinster League)
Peter McNulty Shield Semi Final
Saturday January 23rd, Dr Morris Pk
Final Score – Tipperary 0-13 Carlow 0-8
On Saturday afternoon last at Dr Morris Park, Tipperary’s Under 21 Footballers advanced to the Shield final of the Peter McNulty Cup following a five point margin victory over Carlow on a score line of 0-13 to 0-8.
Having failed to make the cut to the Cup Semi Finals by a two points scoring differential, Tipperary resumed winning ways in the Shield equivalent against a Carlow side that always looked threatening but could never come to terms with Tipp who held the advantage in most of the key areas throughout the field.
Playing with the wind, Carlow were first off the mark with two points inside opening five minutes before Tipperary began making possession pay off with points by Stephen Quirke (1) and Josh Keane (3) including two frees, to go two clear.
Continuing to push forward with Ross Mulcahy, Luke Boland, Jerry Cronin and Paul Shanahan all holding the upper hand, Tipps forwards enjoyed a constant supply of ball but wayward shooting leading to a litany of missed chances chalked up particularly in the first period meant Carlow were still in with a shout. Two Carlow points levelled the game but Liam Casey had the final say with a well taken point to leave Tipperary ahead at the break, 0-5 to 0-4.
Ten minutes into the second half, Tipperary had opened a four point gap with Stephen Quirke, Josh Keane and Jerry Cronin all on target but Carlow to their credit kept their scoring ticking over with two points while Paul Maher blasted over the bar when a goal looked like the end result.
With Tipperary making a host of changes they still finished the stronger and with the Carlow backs conceding numerous frees, Josh Keane and Joe Ryan slotted over two a piece ensuring a Tipperary victory and a place in the Peter McNulty Shield Final against Down who had a point to spare against Clare (1-12 to 2-8) in their Semi Final.
Final Score, Tipperary 0-13 Carlow 0-8
Shield Final, Saturday January 30th.
Tipperary v Down (Venue and throw in times unavailable at time of writing)
Tipperary: Jake McDonald; Morgan Irwin, Colin O’Shaughnessy, Tadgh Fitzgerald; Ross Mulcahy, Luke Boland, Emmett Moloney; Jerry Cronin 0-1, Paul Shanahan; Tommy Nolan, Stephen Quirke 0-2, Josh Keane 0-6, (0-5 frees); Brendan Martin, Liam Casey 0-1, Paul Maher 0-1.
Subs used: Joe Ryan 0-2 frees, Shane O’Connell, Niall McKenna, Rian O’Callaghan, David Croke (Holycross), Michael Meagher (Grangemockler), David Hayes (Fethard), Peter Gavin (Holycross), Liam Fahey (Rockwell Rvs).
Aidan Buckley and Pearse Richardson completed the squad.
Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan)
Report by Tommy Fitzgerald on behalf of Tipperary Under 21 Football
