Carlow continue to lead the way in Division 4 after battling win in Semple Stadium
Caroow manager Joe Murphy is all smiles after Carlow's excellent win over Tipperary in Semple Stadium Photo: Pat Ahern
Carlow made it three wins out of three when they outfought the home side in this third round National Football League Division 4 tie at Semple Stadium on Sunday.
Tipperary, playing with the substantial breeze, were the better side in the opening half. Both created early goal chances but the respective keepers made good stops to keep their line intact. While Paddy McDonnell raised a white flag for the visitors, Tipperary replied with two points from Cian Smith and a two-point free from Stephen O’Brien.
Ross Dunphy scored the opening goal of the game on 19 minutes when he saw his shot blocked but he steered the hopping ball to the net from close range.
The Tipperary three pointer was well managed when a high delivery was caught by Stephen O’Brien who turned and right-footed a stunning shot to the Carlow net at the town end of the ground on 27 minutes.
The game seemed to be going in the direction of the home side. Particularly when a speculative effort from Mark Stokes hopped over the bar for a two-pointer. Another Smith free stretched the Tipp lead to seven points but Carlow enjoyed the better exchanges of the half with Conor Crowley scoring a point and Chris Blake converted a two-point free to leave Tipperary leading 1-11 to 1-7 ahead at the interval.
From the restart, Carlow went in pursuit of victory. Hulton ran at the defence and knocked the ball over the bar. John Murphy and Blake also found the Tipperary posts. Two points from Crowley gave Carlow further momentum but after Doyle saw an effort for a two-pointer drop short Tipperary hit back and forced a penalty. With three points between them, it was a game changer either way and this time fortune favoured the visitors as Ben McCarron deflected O’Connor’s rocket over the crossbar.
The game was on a knife edge but Carlow found a bit extra with Hulton and Blake (free) both scoring vital points. Tipperary had one last chance but when they transferred the ball across the face of the goal, McCarron took possession and with that came the final whistle.
C Blake 0-7 (1-2pf, 1-2p, 3fs), C Hulton 0-5, C Crowley 0-3, R Dunphy 1-0, P McDonnell, J Murphy 0-1 each.
C Smith 0-5 (3fs), S O’Brien 1-2 (1-2pf), S O’Connor 0-3 (f 0-1 pen), M Stokes 0-2 (1-2p), K Butler, D Hogan 0-1 each.
Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran, Lee Moore; Niall Roche, Mark Furey, Padhraig Bolger; Eoghan Ruth, Conor Doyle; Paddy McDonnell, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Conor Crowley, Chris Blake, Ross Dunphy. Subs: John Murphy for Bolger (h/t), Tadhg Roche for Bambrick (48), Sean Murphy for Dunphy (51), Adam Burgess for Ruth (68).
Shane Garland; Jack Harney, James Morris, Mark Corcoran; Mark Stokes, Paudie Feehan, Luke Boland; Joe Higgins, Kieran Costello; Charlie King, Steven O’Brien, Michael Freaney; Cian Smith, Sean O’Connor, Daithi Hogan. Subs: Mbokha Tansia for Freaney (h/t), Emmet Moloney for Boland (48), Killian Butler for King (49), Darragh Brennan for O’Brien (58), Mark Russell for Tansia (59).
James Regan (Cork).
