Sutcliffe returns but Tipp run out convincing winners in SH challenge

Sat, 6th January 2018

TIPPERARY 1-26 DUBLIN 0-12

Tipperary cruised to victory in the second half of this senior hurling challenge in Dr Morris Park, Thurles on Saturday afternoon.

For Dublin it saw the return of St. Judes man Danny Sutcliffe to the county colours for the first time this year having lined out in the Fenway Park challenge in Boston pre-Christmas.

The Dubs, who face Antrim on Sunday in Parnell Park (2.0) in the Walsh Cup, started well and enjoyed a good opening half when aided by the wind and employing a sweeper system in defence.

Points from Paul Winters, Fergal Whitely and Tomás Connolly had Pat Gilroy's men 0-5 to 0-2 in front by the 11th minute, having come from 0-2 to 0-1 in arrears.

A Jason Forde goal in the 22nd minute put Tipp in front 1-5 to 0-6 but Dublin replied with scores from Winters, Whitely and Daire Gray to edge back in front.

However, the Premier County got on top again before the break to carry a 1-8 to 0-9 lead into the interval.

Noel McGrath was highly influential for Tipperary, apart from striking three points from play and converting a free he was also central to many of their scores.

Both counties made a string of substitutions in the second half but with Forde in accurate form Tipp got the scoreboard ticking to run out convincing 17-point victors.

Tipp did the damage from the 48th minute on when reeling off 12 points without reply to assume control of the contest.

SCORERS - Tipperary: J Forde 1-10 (0-6f), N McGrath 0-4 (0-1f), R Maher, S Curran 0-3 each, D McCormack 0-2, P Feehan, M Breen, S Nally, J Cahill 0-1 each. Dublin: P Winters 0-5 (0-4f), F Whitely, D Gray 0-2 each, A Moore, T Connolly, D Burke (0-1f) 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: D Mooney; P Maher, J Dwyer, D Maher; S Kennedy, B Heffernan, P Feehan; C Barrett, R Maher; P 'Bonner' Maher, N McGrath, S Curran; N O'Meara, J Forde, C Darcy.

DUBLIN: A Nolan; P Smyth, B O'Carroll, C Hendricken; S Barrett, D Kelly, C Crummey; J McCaffrey, T Connolly; D Sutcliffe, F Whitely, D Gray; A Moore, P Winters, J Hetherton.