RELIEVED TIPP SEE OFF BRAVE BANNER
TIPPERARY manager Michael Ryan cut a relieved figure following his side’s narrow Championship victory over Clare last night. The All-ireland champions were matched blow for blow by a Banner side which managed to outscore their rivals by three goals to nil. John Mcgrath (right) and Seamus Callanan scored 13 points between them for Tipp.
Ryan said: “I’m anything but as oasis of calm. But look, that was a really good match, that was a classic match. It had it all.
“Clare played really well to come back into the game.
“They had it down to a three point game and anything could have happened.
“At one point it was all Clare and I just thought it was a really, really good game.
“Everybody who played out there today deserves huge, huge credit. You can’t stray away from doing what you do, getting your hands on the ball, keeping a bit of structure.
“When the hard questions were asked of our boys, we really tried to answer them. But look, that was a quality Clare side. That was the best game we have had to play this year. There is great credit due to both sides.” Tipp looked comfortable at the break with a five point lead. But two Clare goals in quick succession gave the Premier County work to do. Ryan added: “Clare got two really good goals which goes to show the potential they have up front. “They ended up with three and we had none. But no two days are the same, we had a goal feast the last day we played. I was very happy with our points tally.
“We were quite disappointed with the goals. It just goes to show you that a goal in hurling is worth more than the three points - it is a real boost to the team which takes it.
“That left us on parity after doing much of the hurling but that’s what you get.”
In yesterday’s other games, Mayo scraped past Cork in their football qualifier after extra time while Donegal were hammered by Galway.