Senior hurlers suffer opening night defeat to Tipp

Sun, 14th February 2016

TIPPERARY 1-23 DUBLIN 0-12

Dublin's winning streak in 2016 was brought to a firm halt in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday night as host Tipperary outclassed Dublin in their opening NHL Division 1A tie.

The Dubs face Galway in Parnell Park this coming Saturday and will be determined to bounce back after a disappointing showing in front of an attendance of 5,105.

Tipp have the wind advantage in the opening half and by the break were 1-9 to 0-3 clear with the highly influential Jason Forde hitting the goal in the 13th minute Paul Ryan (free), David 'Dotsy' O'Callaghan and Daire Plunkett grabbed Dublin's only scores.

The early omens had not been good for the Dubs as the Premier County looked more assured and direct from the opening whistle.

Dublin improved after the break and enjoyed some better passages of play with points from Niall McMorrow, Mark Schutte, Colm Cronin, McMorrow again, David Treacy (two frees) and Darragh O'Connell making it 1-14 to 0-10 after 53 minutes.

However, Tipp showed their strength in depth with John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer picking off three points following his introduction, while another sub Dylan Fitzelle made a few telling contributions also.

SCORERS - Tipperary: J Forde 1-5, J McGrath 0-7 (0-5f), C Kenny, J O'Dwyer 0-3 each, N McGrath, Pádraic Maher 0-2 each, D Fitzelle 0-1. Dublin: D Treacy 0-3 (0-3f), N McMorrow 0-2, D Plunkett, E Dillon, D O'Callaghan, P Ryan (0-1f), M Schutte, C Cronin, D O'Connell 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; C Barrett, T Hamill, M Cahill; B Maher, J Barry, Pádraic Maher; M Breen, D Quinn; D McCormack, Patrick Maher, J Forde; N McGrath, C Kenny, J McGrath. Subs: D Fitzelle for Patrick Maher (47), J Gallagher for Breen (58), J O’Dwyer for McCormack (58), J Meagher for B Maher (66), L Ryan for Quinn (67).

DUBLIN: C Dooley; J Boland, E O’Donnell, O Gough; C O’Callaghan, C Crummey, S Barrett; N McMorrow, J McCaffrey; D Plunkett, E Dillon, D Treacy; D O’Callaghan, P Ryan, M Schutte. Subs: C Cronin for Ryan (ht), D O’Connell for Plunkett (48), O O’Rorke for O’Callaghan (59), F MacGibb for McCaffrey (63)

REF: C Lyons (Cork).