TIPP 1-18, LEIRIM 0-8 

Tipperary footballers gained revenge for their Tailteann Cup exit at the hands of Leitrim by powering to a 13-point win that keeps their Allianz Football League Division 4 promotion push firmly on track.

Played in blustery, rain-soaked conditions at Clonmel Sportsfield, the contest was effectively decided by the interval. Despite facing into a stiff wind, the Premier County stormed into a commanding 1-12 to 0-05 lead by half-time.

Seán O’Connor was central to the victory with an impressive 1-06 haul, while Steven O’Brien contributed six points, including two from outside the arc. The result lifts Tipperary to third place in the table, two points adrift of Carlow and just one behind Longford. Leitrim, meanwhile, slip to seventh and out of promotion contention.

Both managers shuffled their packs before throw-in. Tipperary introduced Jack Harney, Paudie Feehan, Charlie King, Eoin Craddock and O’Brien to their starting line-up, while Leitrim handed starts to Donal Feely, Gavin Reynolds, Barry McNulty, Cillian McGloin and Paul Honeyman.

Although Leitrim enjoyed the wind advantage early on, it was Tipperary who dictated proceedings. O’Connor was denied twice in quick succession by goalkeeper Killian Gaffney, and another goal effort was turned over the bar. A two-point strike from Keith Keegan briefly nudged Leitrim ahead, but it proved their only time in front.

From there, Tipperary seized control. O’Brien’s superb two-point free into the breeze sparked a run of eight unanswered scores, opening a 0-09 to 0-02 gap. Paudie Feehan impressed at midfield and capped his display with a fine individual effort.

An early introduction, Oisín McLoughlin, made an instant impact for Leitrim with a long-range two-pointer. However, Tipperary quickly hit back. Slick interplay involving O’Brien and Daithí Hogan created the opening for O’Connor to finish to the net in the 27th minute. Further scores from Cian Smith and O’Brien ensured a 10-point cushion at the break. Remarkably, Tipperary were flawless in front of goal in the opening half, converting 80 per cent of their attempts while Leitrim managed just 27 per cent accuracy.

With the wind now at their backs, Tipperary initially struggled to add to their tally after the restart. McNulty and McLoughlin narrowed the gap slightly as the home side went 12 minutes without scoring. Once O’Connor reopened their account, however, the momentum returned. O’Brien clipped over a magnificent two-point free from beneath the stand, and O’Connor later raised another orange flag to seal an emphatic success.

Tipperary now prepare for a trip to Wicklow in two weeks’ time and will be keeping a close eye on Leitrim’s upcoming meeting with Longford, a result that could yet influence the promotion race.