NFL 2: Tipp put Meath to the sword
March 14, 2010
Tipperary's Philip Austin gets away from Meath's Michael Burke during the NFL Div 2 clash at Semple Stadium
Tipperary 1-9
Meath 0-10
Tipperary shocked Meath at Semple Stadium this afternoon to collect their first victory in Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League.
Tipp's survival hopes received a massive boost as hitman Barry Grogan blasted 1-5 to secure a huge win for the Premier County.
Meath slumped to a second defeat in four outings and this reverse came as a massive blow to boss Eamonn O'Brien, who had spoken of his promotion hopes in the official matchday programme.
Instead, Meath are now looking over their shoulders, locked together in a group of four teams with four points, as the promotion dream threatens to turn sour.
Tipp, meanwhile, welcome Donegal to Thurles next Saturday night knowing that a win there could rekindle their faint hopes of making an unlikely jump into Division 1 next year.
Realistically, this season is all about staying up for Tipp and perhaps one more victory from their remaining league outings will be enough to do the trick.
Two defeats in their opening two matches spelled trouble for John Evans and his players but they have rallied impressively in their last two outings.
The Premier County collected their first point of the season with a gritty draw in Newry against Down eight days ago before putting Meath to the sword this afternoon.
Meath will argue that the decision to award Tipperary a crucial 55th minute penalty was a curious award, after referee Tom Lynch had originally seemed to signal for a free out to Meath.
Peter Acheson brilliantly caught a lengthy delivery into the Meath danger zone, before he was surrounded by a group of opposition players.
Lynch at first pointed for a Meath free but reversed that decision and Grogan gleefully accepted the chance to punish the visitors with a coolly-taken penalty.
Grogan's effort was a badly-needed tonic for Tipperary as Meath were right back in contention prior to the controversial award.
The home side ruled the roost early on and with Grogan and Philip Austin to the fore led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 20 minuytes of play. The Royals responded with scores from Cian Ward and Shane McAnarney to trail by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time and inspired by substitute Shane O'Rourke and top scorer Ward, they cut the gap back to just a single point.
It was then that the penalty call went Tipperary's way and a further point from Brian Coen had the Premier five points to the good with ten minutes remaining.
Meath rallied with three quick points from O'Rourke, Peader Byrne and Ward but the home side held on for a much needed win.
In the first half, Tipp had more possession but Meath created the better goal chances as Joe Sheridan and Stephen Bray went close.
Tipp goalkeeper Paul Fitzgerald kept out Sheridan with a fine save while Ciaran McDonald got in the way of Bray's goalbound effort.
Tipperary - P Fitzgerald; C McDonald, N Curran, P Codd; C Aylward, R Costigan, C McGrath; G Hannigan, S Grogan; P Acheson, P Austin (0-2), B Mulvihill; C Sweeney (0-1f), B Coen (0-1), B Grogan (1-5, 1-0 pen, 4f, 1 sl). Subs: S Hahessy for Sweeney (h/t), J Cagney for Mulvihill (52), A Rockett for S Grogan (57), S Carey for Austin (63), R O'Dwyer for Coen (69).
Meath - P O'Rourke; N McKeigue, E Harrington, C O'Connor; S Kenny, M Bourke, A Moyles; N Crawford, M Ward; S McAnarney (0-1), C Ward (0-5, 1f, 1 sl), J Queeney; D Bray, J Sheridan, S Bray (0-1). Subs: O Lewis for Sheridan (h/t), S O'Rourke (0-2) for Queeney (49), P Byrne (0-1) for McAnarney (56), N Mooney for D Bray (inj, 70+1).
Referee: T Lynch (Kerry) Tweet
