Despite the absences of Trevor Fletcher, out for the season with a knee injury, and John Madden, Tipperary dominated almost from the throw-in. Offaly opened the scoring with a Shane Cunningham free after two minutes. By the time Cunningham added Offaly’s second point, from another free, 16 more minutes had elapsed and Tipperary had put 1-6 on their side of the scoreboard.
Mike Kennedy was Tipp’s catalyst, scoring the Premier County’s opening 1-2. Kennedy was looking as lively as he has been since last season and Offaly would make several defensive switches in an attempt to curb him.
Tom Moylan was proving a handful at midfield and Alan Slattery provided an able partner. Tipperary county man Paddy O’Brien was being well marshaled by Adrian Guinan, and Offaly keeper Alan Gleason made a great save to rob Kennedy as Offaly tried to keep the match close.
But it wasn’t to be. The Tipp attack were snapping up virtually all of the scoring chance, while their backs were beating Offaly forwards to the ball time after time. Paul Quirke and Eammon Corcoran led a stingy Tipperary defense that held Offaly to a miserly 0-4 after 30 minutes. Trailing 2-11 to 0-4 at the break, Offaly tried to up their efforts on the restart.
A fine Sean Nolan catch sent Neville Coughlan goalward and Coughlan finished superbly for Offaly’s first goal. O’Brien quickly cancelled the Offaly 3-pointer with one of his own. Tipp’s other talented wing forward, Jody Brennan, followed with a point. Tipperary stretched their advantage to 4-14 to 1-5 when O’Brien stood over a free with nothing but twines on his mind.
O’Brien’s decision to go for goal with the match well in hand suggests that no love is lost between the two sides. Kevin Kennedy slammed home Tipp’s fifth goal when O’Brien’s effort came back off the upright. Offaly worked until the final horn sounded, tacking on goals from Coughlan and Cunningham, but it was only window dressing.
The match and the playoff spot were Tipperary’s, leaving the what-might-have-beens to Offaly.
Man of the Match: Tom Moylan
Tipperary: Tim Cullen, Sean Quirke, Denis Ryan, Paul Brennan, Eammon Corcoran (0-1), Sean Sheppard, Alan Slattery (0-2, 1 free), Tom Moylan (0-1), Jody Brennan (0-4), Mike Kennedy (0-1), Paddy O’Brien (2-3), Kevin Kennedy (2-2), Owen Shortt (1-1).
Offaly: Alan Gleason, Seamus Spain, Mike Dolan, Adiran Guinan (0-1), Brian Delaney, Sean Nolan (0-2), Enda Condren, Neville Coghlan (2-1), Shane Cunningham (1-3. 2 frees), Fergal Phelan, Redmond Barry (0-2), Colin Dunne. Subs: Leon Donegan (0-1), Mark Yates (0-1).