Tailteann Cup: Tipperary finish strongly

Tailteann Cup Group Two

Tipperary 3-5 Wexford 0-12

By Stephen Barry at Netwatch Cullen Park

A 75th-minute Stephen Grogan goal saved Tipperary’s Tailteann Cup hopes to eliminate Wexford in a dramatic twist at Netwatch Cullen Park.

The Model County had taken control with a six-point surge, led by the outstanding Seán Nolan (0-7), but Paudie Feehan launched a Hail Mary sideline into the square and Grogan rose highest to flick it home.

The Cahir rookie’s second goal in two games secured a first win for Tipp since February and third place in Group Two, enough to advance to a preliminary quarter-final next weekend.

The Premier overcame the absences of injury-victims Conor Sweeney and Steven O’Brien, although Stephen Quirke and Colm O’Shaughnessy were fit to start among four late changes to the published team. The latter would limp off before half-time.

Wexford blasted four goals in their League meeting, but the trend was reversed as Tipp nabbed two in the first half to go in 2-1 to 0-6 ahead, despite a shot count weighted 16-6 for the Model County.

Wexford were up and running early with points from Eoghan and Seán Nolan (free) but their next four shots were skewed wide.

Out of the blue, Tipp stole ahead with an 11th-minute goal. It was a Clonmel Commercials combo as Peter McGarry’s ball over the top met Seán O’Connor’s backdoor cut to find the net.

Páraic Hughes levelled but in the 20th minute, Tipp raised their second green flag. This time it was brother to brother as Jimmy Feehan sent younger sibling Paudie through a gap. He raced untouched to the 21 before rifling a brilliant finish to the bottom corner.

A handpassed Grogan point made it 2-1 to 0-3, with both scores originating from Emmet Moloney turnovers.

Wexford ended with three superb points from distance by Seán Nolan, two off his right and one off the left.

Tipp’s lead was the minimum, but they padded it out with the first three points of the second half. McGarry blazed over when in on goal, Eoghan Power chipped a point, and Evan Comerford landed a long-range free.

Wexford reasserted their stranglehold on possession to regain the lead by the 56th minute.

Páraic Hughes was growing in influence to assist four points in a row and win the free for a fifth. Seán Nolan did most of the finishing with 0-3 plus scores from Darragh Lyons, substitute Jack Higgins, and captain Liam Coleman. 0-12 to 2-4.

Tipp found a way, beginning with an O’Connor point in the 66th minute.

Wexford played keep ball for the first half of the five added minutes but a visibly cramping Jimmy Feehan twice came up with turnovers. His second forced the sideline and a long-awaited moment of glory for this Tipp team.

Scorers for Tipperary: Seán O’Connor, Stephen Grogan 1-1 each, Paudie Feehan 1-0, Evan Comerford (f), Eoghan Power, Peter McGarry 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: Seán Nolan 0-7 (2fs), Darragh Lyons, Liam Coleman, Páraic Hughes, Eoghan Nolan, Jack Higgins 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Evan Comerford; Emmet Moloney, Jimmy Feehan, Paudie Feehan; Stephen Grogan, Mark Stokes, Luke Boland; Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Conall Kennedy; Kieran Costello, James Morris, Peter McGarry; Colm O’Shaughnessy, Seán O’Connor, Stephen Quirke.

Subs: Eoghan Power for O’Shaughnessy (30, inj), Shane O’Connell for Moloney (50, inj), Conor Cadell for Boland (52), Mark Russell for Quirke (62), Darragh Brennan for McGarry (70+4).

Wexford: William Foley; Eoin Porter, Gavin Sheehan, Liam O’Connor; Dylan Furlong, Páraic Hughes, Glen Malone; Liam Coleman, Darragh Lyons; Niall Hughes, Kevin O’Grady, Mark Rossiter; Eoghan Nolan, Seán Nolan, Conor Kinsella.

Subs: Cian Hughes for Kinsella (HT), Tom Byrne for Rossiter (44), Jack Higgins for O’Grady (49), Jonathan Bealin for E Nolan (52), Richie Waters for S Nolan (68, inj).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).