Pictured at last Sunday's football game Tipp v Sligo in Sligo were some members of the Friends and supporters of Tipp Football. 

Back L to R: Con Ahearn, Cillian Donaghy,  Tommy Kelly, Dan Costigan, Mick Ryan, Eddie Lonergan,  Michael Power, Helen Hawe,  Martin O’Dwyer,  John Ryan, Mick Byrne and Anthony Shore. 

Front L to R: ?, Tom Hogan, Kevin McLoughlin,  Finbarr Lonergan,  JJ Crowley, Pete Savage and Shane Lonergan.

MATCH REPORT

Sligo 1:12

Tipperary 0:17 

Tipperary got their Tailteann Cup campaign off to a winning start with a hard-earned but well deserved victory at Markievicz Park. 

Inspired by an outstanding display from Seán O’Connor, who scored six points from play, the Premier County controlled the game for long periods and showed composure in possession to withstand a dramatic late rally from the hosts. Sligo launched three separate attempts at a two-point equaliser in the closing minutes, but Tipperary held firm to secure a deserved win.

The victory sends Tipperary into the Round 2 draw, where they will face another first-round winner with a place in the quarter-finals and a valuable bye at stake. Sligo, meanwhile, will enter the do-or-die second tier of the competition against another Round 1 loser.

Both sides were forced into late changes before throw-in. Ross Doherty and Cian Lally were drafted into the Sligo starting line-up in place of Eddie McGuinness and James Donlon. However, when Luke Towey suffered an injury during the warm-up, Donlon was reinstated.

Tipperary were also dealt a blow when Kieran Costello was ruled out through illness, with Eoin Craddock taking his place. The bench was strengthened by the welcome returns of Steven O’Brien, Luke Boland and Jimmy Feehan.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Tipperary made a blistering start, racing into a five-point lead. O’Connor opened the scoring before Micheál Freaney and Daithí Hogan each landed superb two-point efforts.

Shane Deignan eventually opened Sligo’s account in the eighth minute, but Cian Smith responded immediately. Tipperary almost struck a decisive blow moments later when O’Connor intercepted a short kick-out, but his goal attempt from a tight angle flashed across the face of goal and wide.

Sligo gradually found their footing, with Niall Murphy scoring from play and from a free. O’Connor answered in style with a long-range two-pointer and two one pointers from Eoin Craddock and O’Connor again. 

The home side struck at the perfect moment before half-time. From a quickly taken sideline involving Alan McLoughlin, Doherty and Murphy, Lee Deignan finished to the net through the legs of goalkeeper Shane Garland, cutting the deficit and breathing new life into the contest.

Sligo began the second half wastefully, registering four wides and seeing one effort blocked by Eoin O’Connell during their opening five attacks. Tipperary, by contrast, made the most of limited opportunities, with Charlie King, Smith, O’Connor and Emmet Moloney all adding important scores to maintain a six-point cushion.

The Premier also displayed impressive game management, slowing the tempo and retaining possession intelligently. Sligo were left frustrated as two promising goal opportunities broke down due to poor final passes.

Murphy reduced the arrears, but Joe Higgins responded with an excellent point from midfield. Sligo then mounted a determined fightback, with substitute Pat Spillane converting two outstanding two-point scores and Murphy adding another point to cut the gap to just two entering the final minutes.

King settled Tipperary nerves with a crucial score, but Spillane’s second two-pointer set up a tense finish. Sligo had three opportunities to force extra time, yet McLoughlin shot wide before Murphy’s free and Spillane’s final effort both dropped short, allowing Tipperary to celebrate a victory that guarantees them at minimum of two more games in this years Tailteann Cup. 

Sligo: Niall Murphy 0-4 (1 free), Pat Spillane 0-4 (two two-pointers), Lee Deignan 1-0, Gavin Gorman, Darragh Cummins, Alan McLoughlin (free), Shane Deignan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Seán O’Connor 0-6 (two two-pointers), Charlie King 0-2, Micheál Freaney 0-2 (one two-pointer), Cian Smith 0-2 (one free), Daithí Hogan 0-2 (one two-pointer), Emmet Moloney, Joe Higgins and Eoin Craddock 0-1 each.

Shane Garland; Mark Corcoran, Eoin O’Connell, Jack O’Neill; Emmet Moloney, James Morris, Charlie King; Joe Higgins, Paudie Feehan; Killian Butler, Micheál Freaney, Eoin Craddock; Cian Smith, Seán O’Connor, Daithí Hogan.
Subs: Darragh O’Connor for Higgins (blood, 29–33 mins), Paddy Creedon for Smith (56), Luke Boland for Butler (59), Steven O’Brien for Craddock (69).

Aidan Devaney; Jack Lavin, Luke Casserly, Tommy Ross; Daire O’Boyle, Conor Sheridan, James Donlon; Gavin Gorman, Darragh Cummins; Ross Doherty, Alan McLoughlin, Lee Deignan; Cian Lally, Niall Murphy, Shane Deignan.
Subs: Paul Kilcoyne for Gorman (blood, 23–24 mins), David Quinn for Shane Deignan (43), Pat Spillane for O’Boyle (49), Eddie McGuinness for Donlon (56), Kyle Cawley for Lally (58), Mark McDaniel for Cummins (65).

Referee: Kieran Eannetta.