TIPPERARY produced a big surprise by beating Offaly in Tullamore thanks largely to a brilliant burst at the start of the second half.
After a mediocre first half, during which both sides lacked intensity, Tipperary trailed by 0-7 to 0-4.
Tipp goalkeeper Matthew O’Donnell made a great save to deny Graham Guilfoyle just after the restart and that sparked the visitors into action, with Brian Mulvihill getting in for a point that could have been a goal.
Moments later Mulvihill made no mistake with a low drive, with Johnny Cagney adding a point to put Tipp 1-7 to 0-7 ahead.
Offaly tried to find some momentum, but Tipperary held on for a deserved win.
Man of the Match: B Grogan (Tipp)
SCORERS — Tipperary: B Grogan 0-7 (4f), B Mulvihill 1-1, B Fox, J Cagney, P Austin 0-1 each. Offaly: N McNamee 0-6 (2f), J Reynolds, C McManus (1f, 1 ’45’) 0-2 each, J Keane, K Casey, B Connor 0-1 each.
TIPPERARY — M O’Donnell; A Morrissey, P Codd, C McDonald; N Curran, H Coghlan, B Fox; B Jones , G Hannigan J Cagney, P Austin, B Mulvihill; A Rockett, B Coen, B Grogan. Subs: S Hahessy for Rockett (30), P Acheson for Coen (46), A Matassa for Cagney (63), C McGrath, for Mulvihill (71).
OFFALY — A Mulhall; B Darby, S Brady, S Pender; S Sullivan, K Slattery, J Keane; R Dalton, N Smith; S Ryan, N McNamee, C McManus; N Dunne, K Casey, J Reynolds. Subs: J Coughlan for N Smith (13), G Guilfoyle for Ryan (h-t), B Connor for Dunne (45), B Allen for Coughlan (65).
REF — P O’Sullivan (Kerry).
