Kearns is pleased with Tipp progress

TIPPERARY manager Liam Kearns doesn’t believe his side is ready yet for top flight football, but he is content that they are making progress. And even allowing for the paucity of the Louth challenge, Tipperary looked sharp and backed up their win over Meath last time out with another accomplished display. And with Kearns convinced there is plenty of room for improvement, they are shaping up nicely for the Championship. They head north to play Down and Cavan in their remaining games, where victory will see them become a Division 1 side just a year after coming out of Division 3. But Kearns is not getting weighed down by that and is straight up when asked if they are ready for the top flight. ‘We have still more work to do. The loss against Roscommon was one, our performance against Clare was another. We have work to do. ‘We are progressing all of the time. But Kildare are a good team and they are under massive pressure in Division 1 and that is the reality of it. But it’s up to the players now. ‘We have got two games and if they win the two games we will be going to Division 1 so we will wait and see.’ His men were never troubled at Semple Stadium by a Louth side who were well on their way to a fifth defeat on the trot when Bill Maher’s goal helped Tipp lead by 1-4 to 0-0 after just eight minutes. Brendan Quinlivan continued his excellent goalscoring form this season with a cracking effort after 16 minutes to lead by 2-9 to 0-3 at the break. Louth never gave up but Pete McGrath’s men were well off the pace and are set for Division 3 football next season. ‘We have a young team and have a lot to learn. We have two games left and will fight tooth and nail to get points from them,’ said McGrath. ‘Tipp were much stronger, much slicker. And there were much more organised in their game plan. They got the early scores and the game running away from us. It put us on the back foot,’ he added. TIPPERARY: C Kenrick; A Campbell, J Meagher, P Codd (E Moloney 36); B Maher (L Boland 67), R Kiely, J Feehan (K Fahey 57); S O’Brien (G Hannigan 63), L Casey; J Keane, B Fox, J Lonergan; C Sweeney, M Quinlivan (L Boland 53), L McGrath (K O’Halloran 65). Scorers: C Sweeney 0-7 (5f); M Quinlivan, B Maher 1-1; L McGrath 0-4; S O’Brien, J Lonergan, B Fox, K O’Halloran 0-1. LOUTH: N Gallagher; D Marks, E Carolan, J Craven (A Smyth 67); E Lafferty (F Donohoe 55), B Duffy, A Williams; T Durnin (R Nally 59), D Byrne (C Earley 17-21, blood); G McSorley, A McDonnell, C Downey; D Maguire (J Stewart 61), C Grimes, R Burns (W Woods 55). Scorers: R Burns 0-4 (4f); G McSorley, T Durnin, A McDonnell, C Grimes, W Woods 0-1. Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).