Sean Ryan, Tipperary, and Phelim Duffin, Antrim, in Allianz Hurling League action. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Allianz Hurling League Division One Group B
Tipperary 2-21 Antrim 0-12
By David Mohan at Corrigan Park
Tipperary did what they needed to do at a sodden Corrigan Park on Saturday as their victory over Antrim was enough to see them into a Division One semi-final next week.
The draw between Galway and Limerick ensured any type of victory for Tipp would suffice for a place in the semi-finals and there was no danger of anything, but that outcome as they held the upper hand across the board.
It wasn't a vintage performance by Liam Cahill's side, but nonetheless they did what was required with Jason Forde landing a dozen points between frees and play, while Jake Morris rattled the home net in each half.
Antrim just didn't have enough going forward to keep pace with the visitors despite being full of endeavour and their campaign ends in a whitewash with five defeats, but will not look to build into the Championship where they will hope to have their lengthy list of injuries begin to clear.
Aodhán O'Brien actually gave Antrim the initial lead, but Sean Kenneally would reply instantly.
An O'Brien free cancelled out Jason Forde's first of the day, but this would be as good as it got for the Saffrons with Tipp rattling off the next five scores. Forde was sharp from placed balls, while Kenneally grabbed his second and Jake Morris found his range.
O'Brien was Antrim's sole scorer in the opening period, adding another pair of frees as Eoghan Connolly got in on the act four the visitors.
Conor Stakelum made a burst forward and popped into Morris to finish, while Forde's sixth of the first half put the Primmer into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead.
Forde and O'Brien traded pointed frees straight after the restart and the pair would continue to lead the way in the scoring stakes, both doubling their half-time tally,
Niall McKenna landed for the hosts to ease the burden with the first of his three second half scores and he was denied a goal from the boot of Rhys Shelly.
But Tipperary began to extend the gap with substitutes Dan McCormack and Darragh Stakelum adding to scores from Bryan O'Mara and Danny Slattery.
There was no doubt about the destination of the points, but Tipp would finish with something of a flourish as Morris banged home a second goal to seal a win and a League semi-final berth.
Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde 0-12 (8fs, 1 65), J Morris 2-2, S Kenneally 0-2, E Connolly 0-1, B O'Mara 0-1, D Slattery 0-1, D McCormack 0-1, D Stakelum 0-1.
Scorers for Antrim: A O'Brien 0-8 (7fs), N McKenna 0-3, R McAteer 0-1
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Danny Slattery, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan; Michael Breen, Robert Byrne, Bryan O'Mara; Paddy Cadell, Eoghan Connolly; Conor Stakelum, Sean Kenneally, Noel McGrath; Jake Moris, Jason Forde, Dean Ryan.
Subs: Sean Hayes for S Ryan (HT), Darragh Stakelum for E Connolly (40), Cathal Quinn for P Cadell (49), Dan McCormack for N McGrath (56), Billy Seymour for S Kenneally (65).
Antrim: Cormac McFadden; Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Scott Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Enda Og McGarry; Eoghan Campbell, Niall O'Connor; Niall McKenna, Aodhán O'Brien, Conor Boyd; Eoin McFerran, Conor McCann, Fred McCurry.
Subs: Ronan McAleer for F McCurry (53), Christy McGarry for E Og McGarry (53), Eoin Trainor for S Walsh (62), Arron Bradley for C McCann (68), Ruairi McCormick for N O'Connor (68).
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin).