Antrim inspired by Loughrey
Antrim 1-13 Tipperary 0-13
Antrim withstood a late fightback from Tipperary at Semple Stadium, Thurles yesterday to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.
Liam Bradley's side were full value for the win -- with the period either side of half-time when they kicked seven points without reply laying the platform for victory.
Tipperary began the brighter and kicked the first two points through Hugh Coghlan and captain Philip Austin. Antrim responded with three points through Michael Armstrong and the McCanns, Tomas and Michael, to take the lead, but Tipp hit back and led 0-5 to 0-3 after 22 minutes with Austin adding a further two points from play.
Antrim responded with the only goal a minute later when James Loughrey burst forward to take a pass from Kevin Brady and finished superbly. Despite Barry Grogan responding, Antrim hit the last four points of the half to lead 1-8 to 0-6.
Antrim increased their lead to nine points by the time Michael Quinlivan kicked Tipp's first score of the second half in the 52nd minute.
The score gave Tipp much-needed confidence and they dominated the remainder of the game, outscoring Antrim 0-6 to 0-1.
Man of the Match: J Loughrey (Antrim)
scorers -- Antrim: T McCann 0-5 (3f 1 '45), J Loughrey 1-1, P Cunningham 0-3 (2f), M Armstrong 0-2, M McCann, M Magill 0-1 each. Tipperary: B Grogan 0-8 (6f), P Austin 0-3, H Coghlan, M Quinlivan 0-1 each.
Antrim -- C Kerr 7; P Gallagher 7, D O'Hagan 6, M McAleese 7; T Scullion 6, J Crozier 7, J Loughrey 9; M McCann 8, C Kelly 8; M Sweeney 7, K Brady 6, M Armstrong 6; B Neeson 6, T McCann 8, P Cunningham 7. Subs: S Finch 6 for O'Hagan (22), M Magill 7 for Neeson (26), A Healy 5 for Armstrong (48), A Gallagher 6 for Healy (65).
Tipperary -- P Fitzgerald 6; R Costigan 6, P Codd 7, C McDonald 7; H Coghlan 6, T Ryan 6, R Kiely 6; B Jones 6, E Ryan 6; S Carey 6, P Austin 7, D Leahy 6; M Quinlivan 6, S Ryan 6, B Grogan 8. Subs: D Heffernan 7 for S Ryan (h-t), B Mulvihill 6 for Carey (h-t), D Lynch 6 for Coghlan (45), L McGrath 7 for Leahy (53), G Hannigan 6 for E Ryan (62).
Ref -- C Lane (Cork).
Irish Independent
