Barry Grogan earns Tipp's first point with game's last kick
Down 0-14 Tipperary 1-11
Tipperary rescued a point from their encounter with Down with the last kick of the game on Saturday evening.
John Evans' men looked doomed to defeat as they trailed their hosts by three points with only five minutes to play.
However a remarkable resurgence in the remaining minutes, and Barry Grogan's ability to kick under pressure, ensured the long trip to Pairc Esler in Newry was worth it.
It was not the first time that Tipp had fought their way back into the game. With 20 minutes played in the first half they trailed Down by 0-7 to 0-2. A strong finish to the first half, however, actually meant that the visitors led their hosts by a point.
Manager John Evans was pleased with his team's persistence. He said, "We're delighted to get a point. We would have been pretty sick not to get something out of the game because we did play well. We battled well. I have to admire our own fellas for coming back into the game time and time again, both in the first half and the second."
Tipperary may have had the final say but they were not quicker out of the traps. John Clarke pointed from Down after only 30 seconds.
Tipp were soon back on level terms. Barry Grogan was fouled by Dan McCartan on the right wing. Despite hugging the sideline Conor Sweeney was impressively able to convert the free. He added another from play on eight minutes after Down had registered a further two points.
The home side took control of the game and scores from Conor Laverty, Paul McComiskey, Martin Clarke and Conor Maginn saw Down race into a commanding five-point lead.
Tipperary stirred back into life around the 20-minute mark. Philip Austin, Barry Grogan and Conor Sweeney were particularly instrumental in putting together scores. Barry Grogan converted a free before Christopher Aylward got forward from right half-back for a fine point.
Austin began to revel in the space he was afforded and his direct running caused problems for the Down defence. He pointed a fine solo effort on 28 minutes. When Conor Sweeney converted a free on the half-hour mark only one point separated the sides.
Down's Laverty widened the gap but there was time for more action before the break.
Barry Grogan floated a free from 50 metres towards the posts but it dropped short. Down's Ambrose Rodgers could only palm the ball down in front of goa,l where a goal-line scramble saw Brian Mulvihill poke the ball goalwards. The goalkeeper thought he had kept the ball out but the umpire signalled differently as Tipperary celebrated a goal.
It meant they led 1-6 to 0-8 at half-time.
Tipperary got off to a good start to the second half when the excellent Aylward grabbed his second score of the game.
From there Down once again took control by posting four points without reply.
The second half was a scrappy affair with possession lost and scoring opportunities squandered by both sides.
Sweeney eventually got Tipperary back into the mix on 53 minutes with a converted free after he had been fouled.
The Clarke brothers each pointed again on 63 and 65 minutes respectively to seemingly put the game beyond Tipperary.
It was not the case, however, as the visitors battled hard to force their way back into the game for the second time.
Tipp’s play was patient and probing, with players careful to pick the right pass as they searched for badly-needed points.
Down got frustrated and began to commit fouls. Barry Grogan pointed a free on 69 minutes before Sweeney added another a minute later.
Then deep into injury time, after Down had needlessly given away possession, George Hannigan won a free in dangerous territory. The pressure rested on Barry Grogan’s shoulder. From 35 metres the Aherlow club-man kicked the last ball of the game confidently over the bar.
The referee blew for full-time with Tipperary having secured a draw. It was no more than the efforts deserved.
Reflecting on the game, John Evans said, “We were a bit nave in front of goal and we didn’t take our chances but we’re happy to get a point after coming this long way. It’ll give us a bit of a lift which we badly needed.”
TIPPERARY: Paul Fitzgerald, Niall Curran, Ciaran McDonald, Andrew Morrisey, Christopher Aylward (0-2), Robbie Costigan, Ciaran McGrath, George Hannigan, Seamus Grogan, Brian Mulvihill (1-0), Philip Austin (0-1), John Cagney, Conor Sweeney (0-5), Brian Coen, Barry Grogan (0-3). Subs - Stephen Hahessy, Sean Carey, Peter Acheson, Alan Rockett
DOWN: Brendan McVeigh, Daniel McCartan, Brendan McArdle, Damian Rafferty, Kevin McKernan, James Colgan, Conor Garvey, Ambrose Rodgers, Kalum King, Conor Maginn (0-1), Martin Clarke (0-5), Paul McComiskey (0-2), Conor Laverty (0-3), John Clarke (0-3), Brendan Coulter. Subs - Peter Fitzpatrick, Stephen Kearney, Mark Poland, Gerard McGovern.
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Weather for Clonmel
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 2 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
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Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
