Senior Hurling: Tom's Surprise Tipp

Fr. Tom Burke’s 3-11 Tipperary 1-13

Fr. Tom Burke’s produced somewhat of a surprise result by taking the scalp of a fancied Tipperary team Sunday afternoon.  Tom’s lined out with Gearoid McInerney at center back and took the game to Tipp from the beginning.  A stunning first half display from Tom’s had Tipp asking a lot of questions at half time.  Despite a second half rally, Tipp could not reduce the deficit sufficiently to overturn the lead that Tom’s had established for themselves.

Tipp's Alan Hannigan tries to break free.

Tom’s were fired up to start the game and caught Tipp with three fine goals to propel them into a 10 point half time lead.  David Mahoney got the first, the end result of a sweeping move where Mahoney was found on the edge of the square.  His partner at corner forward, Thomas Carroll netted the second, and just before the half time Carroll got the third.  Tom’s hurled with gusto, Shane Howley on the wing and Gearoid McInerney at center back stood out for Tom’s.  Points came from the stick of Mahoney, Carroll, and Howley.  One point that underlined Tom’s endeavor came from Tom Corcoran.  Tipp were on the attack and McInerney at center back won the ball, found Corcoran who fired over from distance.  Tipp played in fits and starts.  John Wall clipped over a couple of neatly taken points and Kevin O’Loughlin was his reliable self, but at the break it was an eyebrow raising 1-8 to 0-7 in favour of Tom’s.

Tom's Shane Howley and
Tipp's Jack Doughan under the ball.

Tipp made several changes to start the second half, which was marred by a brawl as tensions rose.  Tipp keeper, Sean Delaney, was shown a red card and referee, Richard Maloney, directed the captains to talk to their teams to focus on the hurling.  Following the break in play it was Tipp who played like they had the extra man.  Tom’s were hanging on for the last 15 minutes as Tipp went for goal without success.  The Premier men bombarded the Tom’s goal and some efforts were well saved by Tom’s keeper Fergal Hynes, while others flew narrowly over the bar.  Carroll and Mahoney stemmed the tide for Tom’s with occasional scores, and Tipp finally managed a goal when it was too late.  Relief for Tom’s at the final whistle, who are right in the mix again.

Referee:  Richard Maloney (Luimnigh)

Man of the Match:  Fergal Hynes (Tom’s)

Tom’s:  F. Hynes, N. O’Muineachan, P. Henneghan, S. Higgins, G. McInerney, P. McGrath, T. Corcoran, E. Murphy, B. Murphy, C. Moore, S. Howley, T. Carroll, D. Mahoney.  Tipp:  S. Delaney, J. Kindregan, S. Norton, J. Doughan, A. McRedmond, C. Dempsey, A. Hannigan, B. O’Carroll, S. Kinsella, D. Edmonds, K. O’Loughlin, J. Wall, M. Ryan.

By Rory O'Donnell