Tipperary’s push for promotion from Division Four of the Allianz National Football League suffered a setback on Sunday at FBD Semple Stadium, where Carlow claimed the points in Round Three. While the defeat damages Tipp’s ambitions, progression remains in their own hands.

Trailing by three in the 63rd minute, Tipp were awarded a penalty after Paudie Feehan was fouled. Sean O’Connor struck it firmly, but Carlow goalkeeper Ben McCarron managed to divert the effort over the bar. Soon after, with just a point between the sides, Tipp squandered three chances to draw level. Those missed opportunities proved costly, particularly after surrendering a four-point half-time lead during a scoreless 20-minute spell at the start of the second period.

In a tightly contested division, such lapses are punished. Tipp now sit on three points from three outings and have little margin for further error.

They travel to Longford next weekend before hosting Leitrim, then face Wicklow away, and conclude their campaign at home to Waterford on March 22.

There was plenty to encourage Tipperary early on. They controlled the opening stages and moved 0-5 to 0-1 ahead. However, a turnover in the 19th minute allowed Ross Dunphy in for a Carlow goal.

Tipp responded positively. Steven O’Brien produced a fine individual goal in the 27th minute, catching a high delivery, pivoting sharply and firing to the net to stretch the lead to 1-8 to 1-3. They appeared comfortable at 1-11 to 1-4 late in the half, but late scores from Conor Crowley and a two-pointer from Christopher Blake narrowed the gap to 1-11 to 1-7 at the interval.

Although still in a promising position, Tipp failed to build on that platform. With the breeze behind them, Carlow dominated the third quarter. They had drawn level by the 49th minute and edged two points clear soon after, while Tipp had yet to score in the half. O’Connor finally opened their second-half account in the 54th minute, but Blake quickly responded with another two-pointer.

The turning point arrived with O’Connor’s penalty, which would have brought the sides level. Instead, Carlow retained momentum. Killian Butler briefly steadied Tipp with a point, but further wides followed. Colm Hulton extended Carlow’s advantage on the break, and Blake sealed the win from a late free as Carlow maintained their unbeaten start and top spot in the table.

Despite the disappointment, Tipperary are still in contention. Results across the division suggest no side is untouchable, but the pressure has intensified. With four matches remaining, they likely need to reach double figures to secure a top-two finish — a demanding but achievable target.

Manager Niall Fitzgerald continues to shape a youthful squad and has acknowledged there would be fluctuations in performance. This outing fell into the latter category, perhaps influenced by several players balancing recent college commitments. The immediate task is a response against Longford.

Captain Paudie Feehan led with determination, driving forward from defence throughout, while James Morris, Kieran Costello, Steven O’Brien, Cian Smith, Joe Higgins and substitute Emmet Moloney all made notable contributions.

For Carlow, Colm Hulton was influential with five points from play. He received strong support from Dara Curran, Mark Furey, Conor Crowley and Christopher Blake, as the Leinster side continued their impressive run.

Tipperary scorers: Steven O’Brien (1-2, including two-point free), Cian Smith (0-5, three frees, one two-point free), Sean O’Connor (0-3, two frees), Mark Stokes (0-2, two-pointer), Daithí Hogan (0-1), Killian Butler (0-1).

Carlow scorers: Christopher Blake (0-7, one free, two two-point frees), Colm Hulton (0-5), Paddy McDonnell (1-1), Conor Crowley (0-3), John Murphy (0-1).

Tipperary: Shane Garland; Jack Harney, James Morris, Mark Corcoran; Mark Stokes, Paudie Feehan, Liam Boland; Joe Higgins, Kieran Costello; Charlie King, Steven O’Brien, Micheál Freaney; Cian Smith, Sean O’Connor, Daithí Hogan.

Subs: JP Bokha-Tansia (for Freaney, half-time), Emmet Moloney (for Boland, 48 mins), Killian Butler (for King, 50 mins), Darragh Brennan (for O’Brien, 58 mins), Mark Russell (for Bokha-Tansia, 60 mins).

Carlow: Ben McCarron; Colin Byrne, Dara Curran, Lee Moore; Niall Roche, Mark Furey, Padraig Bolger; Eoghan Ruth, Conor Doyle; Paddy McDonnell, Colm Hulton, Mikey Bambrick; Conor Crowley, Christopher Blake, Ross Dunphy.

Subs: John Murphy (for Bolger, half-time), Tadhg Roche (for Bambrick, 48 mins), Sean Murphy (for Dunphy, 51 mins), Adam Burgess (for Ruth, 66 mins).