Tipperary 1-5
Kildare 2-13
By Jackie Cahill at Clonmel Sportsfield
KILDARE PUT THEMSELVES on the brink of promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League with a big victory over Tipperary in Clonmel this afternoon.
A bumper crowd descended on the Sportsfield, the vast majority from Kildare, to watch Cian O’Neill’s charges run out comfortable eleven-point winners.
Daniel Flynn scored 1-2 but went off with a hamstring injury late on, which will come as a concern to O’Neill with just eight weeks until the championship.
Niall Kelly’s fortuitous goal in the 17th minute gave Kildare real daylight, as his low, angled delivery aimed for the inside men went all the way to the net.
Kildare were 1-6 to 0-0 clear before Kevin Fahey registered Tipp’s first score of the game in the 26th minute, but the visitors led by 1-7 to 0-1 at the break.
As conditions deteriorated in the second half, Kildare kept Tipp at arm’s length and struck for a second goal through Flynn with 12 minutes left.
Tipp responded with Fahey steaming forward for a goal within a minute to add to his first-half point but the Premier County’s promotion hopes are now out of their own hands.
Kildare are four points clear of the chasing pack ahead of next weekend’s final group game with Clare.
Barring a mathematical disaster, they will be playing Division 2 football in 2017 but Tipp will look back on goal chances missed from this encounter, particularly in the first half.
Philip Austin screwed a shot wide in the first minute and Alan Campbell had an effort well saved by Mark Donnellan later in the half.
Elsewhere this afternoon, Carlow claimed a 0-12 to 1-4 Division 4 win against Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Scorers for Tipperary: Kevin Fahey 1-1, Alan Moloney 0-2 (1f), Michael Quinlivan & Philip Austin 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kildare: Daniel Flynn 1-2, Niall Kelly 1-0, Adam Tyrell (1f) & Eoghan O’Flaherty (1f, 1 45) 0-3 each, Tommy Moolick & Paul Cribbin 0-2 each, Eamonn Callaghan 0-1.
Tipperary
1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan-Kilcash)
2. Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan)
3. Alan Campbell (Moyle Rovers)
4. Ciaran McDonald (Aherlow)
5. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)
6. Robbie Kiely (Carbery Rangers, Cork)
17. Kevin Fahey (Commercials)
8. Alan Moloney (Rockwell Rovers)
9. Martin Dunne (Moyle Rovers)
10. Josh Keane (Golden Kilfeacle)
11. Peter Acheson (Moyle Rovers)
12. Jason Lonergan (Commercials)
13. Conor Sweeney (Ballyporeen)
14. Michael Quinlivan (Commercials)
15. Philip Austin (Borrisokane)
Subs:
19. Billy Hewitt (Ardfinnan) for Sweeney (h.t.)
20. George Hannigan (Shannon Rovers) for Dunne (54)
18. Ian Fahey (Commercials) for Moloney (58)
7. Shane Leahy (Arravale Rovers) for Campbell (67).
Kildare
1. Mark Donnellan (Maynooth)
2. Peter Kelly (Two Mile House)
3. Ciaran Fitzpatrick (Kilcock)
4. Ollie Lyons (Celbridge)
5. David Hyland (Athy)
6. Fergal Conway (Celbridge)
7. Cian O’Donoghue (Clane)
8. Kevin Feely (Athy)
9. Tommy Moolick (Leixlip)
10. Adam Tyrell (Moorefield)
11. Niall Kelly (Athy)
12. Eoghan O’Flaherty (Carbury)
19. Daniel Flynn (Johnstownbridge)
26. Paul Cribbin (Johnstownbridge)
15. Eamonn Callaghan (Naas)
Subs:
17. Johnny Byrne (Allenwood) for O’Donoghue (h.t.)
14. Padraig O’Neill (St Laurence’s) for Flynn (58)
13. Alan Smith (Sarsfields) for Tyrell (64)
24. Kevin Murnaghan (Moorefield) for Conway (67)
25. Rob Kelly (Straffan) for Cribbin (70+1)
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Might have missed it but did the IRFU ever clarify why Ireland is the only top tier nation, possibly one of the only rugby nations, that never invested in 7s? Is there actually a good reason? The 7s circuit is huge, a 7s event in Dublin would be class, it always attracts a crowd.
They did, they said that costs were too high and were better spent on the 15s game. It was David Nucifora that convinced them that it would be an effective pathway for developing players that may otherwise slip through. I’ve seen it suggested that they would have to be seen to be running a 7s program to help with the RWC2023 bid. Not sure about that one though.
There are 7s events in Ireland. Dublin 7s was about a month ago in Donnybrook. Then obviously there’s Kinsale 7s which has a big draw.
Think he meant a world series event
Spain got the last spot in the last second of the final against Samoa . They had beaten Ireland in the quarters . Ireland did well to get so far considering they have only one full season under their belts.
Definitely. Qualification for 2020 was always the goal so to get so close for 2016 is great encouragement.
Sean, what’s the story with Olympic qualification? Has that ship sailed or are we still in with a chance?
Spain got the last spot