Tipp snatch a point at Pairc Esler clash

Tipperary 1-11

Down 0-14

DOWN fans left Pirc Esler on Saturday confused - was it a case of one point gained or one point dropped?

Tipperary fans and indeed players were in no doubt however as they celebrated emphatically when Barry Grogan slotted over a free, his third of the match, to ensure that Tipperary would be making the long trip home with a share of the Allianz NFL spoils.

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In truth a draw may have been a fair result although there is no doubt that Down supporters arrived to the game in high expectation after wins in the first couple of rounds over Kildare and Meath respectively.

After the match Down Manager James McCartan was left feeling frustrated by the amount of mistakes that were made in the game and in particular by how many times Down gave the ball away.

James was very honest in his assertion that his team just didnt do enough to win and only have themselves to blame for not securing two points. He also pointed to the fact that there are two big games approaching so it is a testing time for the team.

After 20 minutes Down had registered seven scores and looked like they were on course for securing a third win in a row. There were scores from John Clarke, two from Conor Laverty - including one great effort from near the sideline - two frees from Martin Clarke and scores from Paul McComiskey from the dead ball and a well worked point for Conor Maginn.

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In this opening 20 Tipperary only scored twice, a free from Conor Sweeney followed by a good point from play for Sweeney and Down looked in control.

A big goal chance presented itself just after the 20 minute mark which if taken may have put the wind out of Tipperary’s sails but Benny Coulters shot just went wide of the keeper’s right hand post.

Conor Laverty added his third point on 32 minutes after a great pass from John Clarke, to cap off a very successful half for Danny Hughes replacement.

On the stroke of half time Kevin McKernan hit a long, speculative ball into the danger area and with better communication from Coulter and John Clarke Down may have had a goal.

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It was Tipperary’s 10 minute spell before half time that did the damage when they were able to register 1-04, the goal being nothing more than a scramble over the line.

Martin Clarke opened Downs scoring with a free early in the second half to level the game after a foul on brother John and Paul McComiskey added another score soon after from a free.

John Clarke then added to Down’s tally after great tackling by Martin Clarke and McComiskey. Down went into a three point lead going into the last quarter one of these points being a score from Martin Clarke which shaved the crossbar.

Had Martin’s effort gone a few inches lower perhaps Downs lead might have been insurmountable, but it was not to be.

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Tipperary scored the last three points of the game to level the score, all of which were from the dead ball, Barry Grogan showing great composure for the last pressure kick.

Down now look forward to a tight affair with Donegal in Ballybofey next week before they meet their neighbours Armagh in what promises to be a packed house in Pirc Esler.

Down: B McVeigh, D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty, K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey, A Rodgers, K King, C Maginn (0-1), M Clarke (0-5, 1f), P McComiskey (0-2, 2f), C Laverty (0-3), J Clarke (0-3), B Coulter. Subs: P Fitzpatrick for King, S Kearney for Maginn, M Poland for Laverty, R Murtagh for McComiskey.

Tipperary: P Fitzgerald, N Curran, C McDonald, A Morrissey, C Aylward (0-2), R Costigan, C McGrath, G Hannigan, S Grogan, B Mulvihill (1-0), P Austin (0-1), J Cagney, C Sweeney (0-5, 4f), B Coen, B Grogan (0-3, 3f). Subs: S Hahessy for Cowen, S Carey for Cagney, P Acheson for Austin, A Rockett for S Grogan