Tipperary 3-21
Wexford 1-21
Fintan O’Toole reports from Semple Stadium
TIPPERARY GOT OVER the finish line first in Thurles tonight as Patrick Bonner Maher slammed home an injury-time goal that ensured they would deprive Wexford of capping their second-half comeback with a positive result.
Outplayed in the phase before half-time Wexford faced a seven-point deficit entering the second half but they chipped away at it manfully with Lee Chin spearheading their challenge as he finished with 0-10.
They couldn’t find a way to hit the net though with goalkeeper Daragh Mooney producing a couple of outstanding saves to deny Wexford’s Conor McDonald.
Jason Forde finished with 2-9 to his credit for Tipperary while Bonner chipped in with 1-2 and Michael Ryan saw 11 of his players get on the scoresheet. Success means Tipperary go top of the Division 1A league table on scoring difference as they have recovered from an opening loss to Clare and Wexford suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
The opening half produced a pair of goals, Jason Forde finishing delightfully to the net for Tipperary in the 13th minute after Sean Curran swept the ball across.
Wexford countered five minutes later as Kevin Foley’s vision saw him float a hand pass into the path of Lee Chin and he was grounded by Barry Heffernan. Aidan Nolan’s finish was sound from the resultant penalty and a green flag was raised.
A Paul Morris free quickly after Nolan’s goal edged Wexford ahead 1-7 to 1-4 but they trailed 1-15 to 1-8 at the break after Tipperary had dominated in several sectors of the pitch in the build-up to half-time.
Jason Forde found the net once more in the 44th minute and with 11 minutes of normal time left Tipperary were 2-20 to 1-14 clear. But Wexford reeled off five points without reply and after Padraic Maher landed a storming point from distance, Chin picked off a brace of points to cut the gap to three.
The home support in the crowd of 8,358 were growing nervous but Bonner Maher intervened with a clinical strike to the net to copperfasten victory.
Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 2-9 (0-8f, 0-1 sideline), Patrick Maher 1-2, John McGrath 0-2, Donagh Maher, Barry Heffernan, Padraic Maher, Ronan Maher, Sean Curran, Noel McGrath, Michael Breen, Billy McCarthy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Wexford: Lee Chin 0-10 (0-4f, 0-2 ’65), Paul Morris 0-3 (0-3f), Aidan Nolan 1-0 (1-0 pen), Jack O’Connor, Kevin Foley 0-2 each, Shaun Murphy, Conor McDonald, David Dunne, Rory O’Connor 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Daragh Mooney (Éire Óg Annacarty-Donahill)
2. Seán O’Brien (Newport)
3. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
23. Donagh Maher (Burgess)
5. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)
6. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields – captain)
7. Paudie Feehan (Killenaule)
8. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh)
9. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
10. Seán Curran (Mullinahone)
11. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
12.Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha)
13. Michael Breen (Ballina)
14. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
15. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
Subs
24. Billy McCarthy (Thurles Sarsfields) for Heffernan (53)
18. Ger Browne (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams) for Curran (60)
26. Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen) for Breen (60)
Wexford
1. Mark Fanning (Glynn-Barntown)
19. Conor Firman (St Martin’s)
2. Damien Reck (Oylgate-Glenbrien)
3. Liam Ryan (Rapparees)
9. Shaun Murphy (Oulart-the-Ballagh)
7. Diarmuid O’Keeffe (St Anne’s)
6. Matthew O’Hanlon (St James – joit captain)
5. Paudie Foley (Crossabeg-Ballymurn)
8. Kevin Foley (Rapparees)
10. Aidan Nolan (Half Way House Bunclody)
12. Jack O’Connor (St Martin’s)
11. David Dunne (Davidstown-Courtnacuddy)
14. Lee Chin (Faythe Harriers – joint captain)
13. Paul Morris (Ferns St Aidan’s)
15. Conor McDonald (Naomh Eanna)
Subs
22. Rory O’Connor (St Martin’s) for Morris (48)
21. Cathal Dunbar (Ballygarrett) for Dunne (58)
20. Harry Kehoe (Cloughbawn) for Murphy (62)
18. Eanna Martin (Carrickshock, Kilkenny) for O’Keeffe (70)
Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)
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He’s been a huge plus for the Farrell team as he’s just bossed what was starting to become a problem position for Ireland.
Takes care of the basics first, and he’s starting to reveal more to his game now week on week at every level, influencing huge games.
I think the lad has a massive ceiling.
@Patrick Doherty: and a brilliant mix of writing and analysis as always from Murray Kinsella.
I completely agree the way he played last week against Munster was top class. Looked dangerous every time he had the ball in hand. Rock solid under the high ball and looking to attack at every opportunity
Where I have the difficulty with his play is over the five games for Ireland he offered absolutely nothing whatsoever in attack. Even when we were dominant against the English. He looked easy to read with ball in hand.
Before I get lambasted and abused here I believe it must be the different coaching structures between Ireland and Leinster
@Bgkph: he’s 24 and learning every week.
This is the role leinster wanted for carbury so it’s no surprise they are working with Keenan to do the same. Ireland don’t seem to want their 15 to play make so your not going to see this too much for Ireland
@Bgkph: it’s a much much higher level than any PR014 or HC games. It’s what Ronan O Gara keeps saying. Such a chasm between the levels
He’s a good solid player who has already improved hugely since he got his first cap. I’m not sure if he has as much X factor in attack that larmour and stockdale have. The experiment with them at full back failed though and IMO a safe pair of hands which he has , is the most important thing a full back should have…. hopefully the attacking threat can be worked on and will continue to improve…
This guy is a massive credit to the 7s system. He’s so solid, does all the basics so well and rarely makes a mistake. He’s going to get better and better.
He needs to work on his passing and decision making. He is already an improvement on Kearney but like Kearney he takes the ball into contact. Also he needs to fix his man before passing as it cost Lowe a try against France
@Patrick O Connell: the videos show him passing or offloading each time and continuing the movement. Doesn’t really correlate to your point about him going into contact
@Patrick O Connell: every time he takes it into contact he seems to make yards. Fella wriggles out of every tackle