HL1A: Forde impresses again as Tipp repel Model resurgence
February 17, 2018
Tipperary's John McGrath is out in front against Wexford's Damien Reck during the Allianz League clash at Semple Stadium
Goals from Jason Forde (2-9) and Patrick Bonner Maher fired Tipperary to an exciting 3-21 to 1-21 victory over battling Wexford at Thurles.
With 8,358 looking on at Semple Stadium on what was a calm but eerily foggy night, the Model County fought hard to preserve their 100% record, reducing a nine-point deficit after 58 minutes (2-20 to 1-14) to just three points when Lee Chin fired over an injury-time '65'. Another goal arrived but it was the hosts who grabbed it when Maher ran through to tuck the ball in the net at the town end from a tight angle. The clincher.
The hosts had been the better side but the Slaneysiders never gave up and it took two great Darragh Mooney saves from Conor McDonald to ensure that they held on for victory.
Crucially, Tipp outscored their guests by eleven points to one in the last 15 minutes of the first half to lead by 1-15 to 1-8 at the short whistle.
When Aidan Nolan tucked away a Wexford penalty in the 18th minute after Chin was hauled down, the Model County led by 1-6 to 1-4 and a Paul Morris free stretched the gap before Tipp roared back, with all six forwards scoring from play before the break.
Tipperary's Patrick Maher takes a hit from Wexford opponent Liam Ryan during the first-half
Patrick Bonner Maher, John McGrath and Forde (with four in a row) all pointed as the winners landed six without reply. When Chin converted a Wexford free, the Premier County closed out the opening period with five more unanswered points from Noel McGrath, Forde, Barry Heffernan, Donagh Maher - a late addition to their starting XV - and Michael Breen.
Forde had registered a stunning Tipp goal in the twelfth minute, combining superb control with a scintillating finish, after the Model County hit the ground running with five of the first eight points. Sean Curran opened Tipp's account in the fifth minute, with Chin (free) and Kevin Foley (2) having given Davy Fitzgerald's men a flying start.
Chin's '65' got the second half up and running but Forde registered his second goal with aplomb after gathering a pass from John McGrath in the 42nd minute - 2-16 to 1-11. The margin was even greater 16 minutes later after substitute Billy McCarthy and the outstanding Forde - from a sideline cut - added to the winning tally.
Wexford recorded a determined run of points from Shaun Murphy, Chin (5) and Rory O'Connor in the last ten minutes, with Padraic Maher thumping over a superb score at the other end. As the tension mounted, a brilliant contest got the gripping finale it deserved as Mooney saved, Chin pointed, Maher netted and Tipperary took the points on offer to draw level with Wexford on the league table ahead of their Round Four trip to Nowlan Park.
Tipperary - D Mooney; S O'Brien, J Barry, D Maher (0-1); B Heffernan (0-1), Padraic Maher (0-1), P Feehan; B Maher, R Maher (0-1); S Curran (0-1), N McGrath (0-1), Patrick Maher (1-2); M Breen (0-1), J Forde (2-9, 0-8f, 0-1sl), J McGrath (0-2). Subs: B McCarthy (0-1) for B Heffernan, G Browne for S Curran, M Russell for M Breen.
Wexford - M Fanning; D Reck, L Ryan, C Firman; P Foley, M O'Hanlon, D O'Keeffe; K Foley (0-2), S Murphy (0-1); A Nolan (1-0pen), D Dunne (0-1), Jack O'Connor (0-2); P Morris (0-3f), L Chin (0-10, 4f, 2'65), C McDonald (0-1). Subs: R O'Connor (0-1) for P Morris, C Dunbar for D Dunne, H Kehoe for S Murphy, E Martin for D O'Keeffe.
Referee - J McGrath.
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