February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Pierce O’Reilly
Connecticut 1-18
Tipperary 2-9
This hotheaded encounter failed to ignite into the spectacle that most had expected and many in the large crowd were disappointed to see such bad blood between two great hurling rivals.
The opening exchanges were tough and tight with both sides eager to steal an advantage. Man of the Match Bonnie Kennedy rifled over three early scores and one apiece from Keith Hennessy and Kevin Broderick pushed the visitors into an early lead. Weekend import John Carroll dominated at the other end of the field and it wasn’t long before the premier county struck back.
Andy Carr, Carroll and Sean Sheppard were majestic for the Munster men but they just couldn’t break down a resolute Connecticut defense. At the changeover, four points separated the sides with Connecticut leading 0-10 to 0-6. The hurling improved in the second period but still several late changes married another wise sporting encounter.
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Early points from Cork senior Ben O’Connor and Galway star Kevin Broderick pushed Connecticut further in front. Tipperary never buckled and when Sean Sheppard buried the sliotar in the Connecticut net, his side rallied. The nest 10 minutes are better forgotten. Liam Hodgins and Paul Hogan saw red for lubricious challenges and many others were lucky not to have gone with them. When the dust settled, the visitors powered ahead, and with Bonnie Kennedy and Kevin Broderick pointing at will, they ran out easy victors.
Connecticut deserves to be playing in the top flight. If they continue to gel and get a few more inspirational players, they’ll give the top flight a real good rattle next season.
Connecticut: Donal Leahy, Aidan Kiley, Colm Morris, Fintan O’Shea, Liam Hodgins, Richie Purcell, Brian Greene, Tom Foy, Keith Hennessy 0-2, Mark Comerford, Kevin Broderick 1-4, Ben O’Cononr 0-2, Bonnie Kennedy 0-9. Subs: Liam Byrne, David Murray 0-1.
Tipperary: Tim Cullen, Donncha Fahy, Donal Cummins, Stephen Carthy, Sean Sheppard 1-3, Declan Bourke, Pauric Costigan, Keith McAdam, Robert Ryan, John Carroll 1-5, Andy Carr 0-1, Jack O’Donnell, Paul Hogan. Subs: Robbie Quinlan.