February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Tipperary 4-24
Connecticut 1-7
By Peter Nolan
Sunday’s GAA schedule got off to a leisurely start as the Junior Hurling opener finally got under way 20 minutes late at Gaelic Park. For their part, Connecticut never got started at all. Corner forward Tony O’Brien started the onslaught for Tipp with a first-minute point. From there on it was like flag day as Tipperary turned this match into target practice.
Wing forward Ed Tucker was the most dangerous forward on view, turning in an impressive display of sharp shooting. The Premier County met virtually no opposition in a surprisingly poor performance from last year’s champion in this division. Of course, with the promotion to the senior ranks, the junior side was somewhat diluted.
Tipperary’s New York senior, Sean Shepard, was a breed apart on the day and proved an impassable roadblock in the middle of the Tipperary defense. Owen O’Connor was also on his game in the middle of the park and he picked off two great points as Tipperary put the game away in the first half.
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After 30 minutes had elapsed, Tipp were comfortably and completely in charge and nothing transpired in the second half to threaten their peace of mind. As a matter of fact, it only got worse for Connecticut as Tipperary racked up a further 3-14 to cruise to an easy victory.
Man of the Match: Sean Shepard.
Tipperary: Tommy Cullen, James Long, John Kissane, Alan Slattery, Sean Shepard (0-3), William Pole, Owen O’Connor (0-3), Edmund Horkan (1-0), Eddie Tucker (0-9), Liam Croke, Anthony Mansell (0-3), Shane Quinlan (1-0), Anthony O’Brien (0-2). Subs: Paul Casey (2-4), David O’Brien.
Connecticut: Donnach O’Dwyer, Niall Crowe, Maurice Crowe, John Kearny, Ollie O’Neill (0-1), David Williams, Mike O’Connor, Brian McGuire, Ivan Kennelly (0-1), Tim Kelly (0-2), Shane Reilly, Musha Maher (0-3), Brian Walsh. Sub: Noel McNamara (1-0).