Tipperary 1-16
Clare 1-15
TIPPERARY CAPTURED THE Division 4 trophy with a tense, one-point win over Clare at Croke Park. Forward Conor Sweeney was the hero for the Premier County as he scored a first half goal and kicked two late points to clinch victory for Tipp.
Both sides traded points, from play and frees, in the opening 15 minutes and The Banner were edging the contest until Sweeney intervened. Peter Acheson came close to scoring but Sweeney was on hand to fire home the rebound. Tipp led by three heading towards half-time but scores from Robbie Kiely and Cathal O’Connor left it 1-7 to 0-9.
Tipperary started slowly after the break and paid for their lethargy when they fell behind to a Martin O’Leary goal on 45 minutes. He outpaced Andrew Morrissey after taking a pass on the run and slammed home, past Paul Fitzgerald in the Premier goal. Seamus Grogan and Ciaran McDonald were drafted on and a refreshed Tipperary got the next four points.
David Tubridy came to the fore midway through the half to keep Clare in the tie but Sweeney was holding his nerve with late frees. The Tipp man slotted over two placed frees before receiving a pass from Michael Quinlivan with two minutes from play and wrapping up the win.
Scorers for Tipperary: Conor Sweeney 1-8 (0-4f), Barry Grogan 0-4 (0-2f), Robbie Kiely, Steven O’Brien, George Hannigan, Ian Fahey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: David Tubridy 0-7 (0-4f), Shane McGrath 0-4, Martin O’Leary 1-0, Shane Hickey, Cathal O’Connor, Jamie Malone, Ciaran Russell 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Paul Fitzgerald; John Coghlan, Paddy Codd, Andrew Morrissey; Robbie Kiely, Peter Acheson, Donagh Leahy; Steven O’Brien, George Hannigan; Philip Austin, Ian Fahey, Brian Fox; Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Barry Grogan.
Subs: Seamus Grogan for Austin (43), Ciaran McDonald for Morrissey (45), Colin O’Riordan for Fahey (61), Conal McCullagh for Seamus Grogan (bc) (71).
Clare: Pierce De Loughrey; Dean Ryan, Kevin Hartnett, Martin McMahon; Shane Hickey, Gordon Kelly, Enda Coughlan; Gary Brennan, Cathal O’Connor; Shane McGrath, Jamie Malone, Ciaran Russell; Martin O’Leary, Shane Brennan, David Tubridy.
Subs: Martin Ogie Murphy for Hickey (inj) (51), Podge McMahon for Brennan (51), Joe Hayes for De Loughrey (57), Rory Donnelly for Malone (69).
Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)
