Tipperary; 1-12 Longford 1-11: A fine individual goal from corner forward Peter Lambert in the closing stages of the first half proved to be the decisive match-winning score in Tipperary's slender success over Longford at Pearse Park.
Tipperary's strong midfielder Fergal O'Callaghan received a straight-red card following an off-the-ball incident. While Longford's Padraig Davis narrowed the gap to the minimum in the third minute of stoppage-time, that proved to be the last score of the game as Tipperary held out for a deserved victory.
TIPPERARY: B Enright; C O'Dwyer, N Kelly, S Collum, B Hahessy, D Byrne, W Morrissey, F O'Callaghan, M Tarrant (0-1), B Cummins, L England, D O'Brien (0-1), P Lambert (1-4, points frees), D Browne (0-1), B Hickey (0-4, 3 frees), Subs: R Costigan for O'Dwyer (28 mins), K Mulryan (0-1) for Tarrant (47), E Hanrahan for Browne (injured, 65),
LONGFORD: G Tonra; S Carroll, D Ledwith, V Coyle, M Mulleady, C Keogh, E Ledwith, L Keenan, I Browne, P Ross, P Barden (0-1), A O'Connor, T Smullen (0-3), N Sheridan (1-2), P Davis (0-5, 3 frees), Subs: M Kenny for O'Connor (53 mins), D Smyth for Browne (53), D Barden for Ross (injured, 61).
Referee: P Mullan (Antrim).
