Tailteann Cup: Royals turnover Tipp
May 13, 2023
Meath's Ronan Jones with Colman Kennedy Tipperary during the opening round of the Tailteann Cup at Pairc Tailteann
Meath opened their Tailteann Cup campaign with a decisive win over Tipperary at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.
Meath ……….. 1-19
Tipperary …….. 0-11
Colm O’Rourke’s charges took some time to find their feet before three points on the bounce before the break set them on their way to victory in their first outing in this competition.
A double scores win didn’t look likely early on when Tipperary led twice thanks to the place-kicking of goalkeeper Michael O’Reilly.
Meath were 0-3 to 0-4 in arrears with 23 minutes gone. Seconds later a brilliant Conor Grey points levelled matters for the second and final time.
Thereafter, Meath took a vice-like grip on proceedings. By the end nine different players contributed to the home side’s tally.
After a mediocre opening, Meath took charge before the break and motored on from the restart.
Trim’s Aaron Lynch took scoring honours for Meath with 1-3. His 44th minute goal left it 1-10 to 0-5 and the hosts were bound for a double scores success.
Changes in personnel had a big bearing on proceedings. Ronan Jones enhanced Meath’s presence at midfield.
Goalkeeping debutant Sean Brennan impressed, particularly with his fielding. Sean Coffey followed up a positive showing in Meath’s loss to Offaly with an energetic showing here.
Even allowing for the limitations of a poor Tipperary side, Meath can take positives from this performance but it’s just one step in the right direction.
Points from Jordan Morris, Jack O’Connor and Aaron Lynch (free) boosted the Royals to a 0-7 to 0-4 interval advantage.
Meath upped their game from the resumption, outscoring Tipperary by 1-12 to 0-7. Jack Kennedy picked off a trio of points that softened the scoreline somewhat for the visitors.
Scorers: Meath - Aaron Lynch 1-3 (0-2 fs); Jordan Morris 0-4; Matthew Costello 0-3 (2fs); Thomas O'Reilly 0-3; Jack O'Connor 0-2; Jack Flynn 0-1 (f); Conor Gray 0-1; Donal Lenihan 0-1;Donal Keogan 0-1.
Tipperary - Jack Kennedy 0-3 (1 45); Michael O'Reilly 0-2 (1f, 1 45); Stephen O'Brien 0-2 (one mark); Mark Russell 0-2 (one free) Liam McGrath 0-1.
Meath - Sean Brennan; Adam O'Neill, Ronan Ryan, Michael Flood; Donal Keogan (c), Padraic Harnan, Sean Coffey; Ronan Jones, Conor Gray; Cillian O'Sullivan, Jack Flynn, Jack O'Connor; Jordan Morris, Mathew Costello, Aaron Lynch. Subs - Thomas O'Reilly for Flynn (ht), Harry O'Higgins for O'Neill (50),Daithi McGowan for Jones (57), Cathal Hickey for O'Connor (59), Donal Lenihan for O'Sullivan (61)
Tipperary - Michael O'Reilly; Shane O'Connell, Jimmy Feehan, Willie Eviston; Kevin Fahey, Colm O'Shaughnessy,.Keith Ryan; Paudie Feehan., Colman Kennedy; Teddy Doyle, Jack Kennedy, Cathal Deely; Mikey O'Shea, Stephen Quirke, Stephen O'Brien. Subs - Rory Collins for Deely (10), Sean O'Connor for O'Brien (37), Mark Russell for Doyle (46), Liam McGrath for O'Shea (46), Conall Kennedy for Feehan (57).
Referee - Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
