Tipperary 2-25 Offaly 2-8: "The first step on a long, long road." One of Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy's reflections following a comfortable 17-point victory against Offaly in yesterday's National League opener at Semple Stadium.
And 3,294 expectant punters at the Thurles venue witnessed an impressive attacking performance following some shaky moments in defence during the first half.
Five-time All Star Eoin Kelly landed 1-10, nine points from placed balls it must be pointed out, and the Mullinahone maestro did score the killer goal 15 minutes from time which quelled the Offaly resistance.
The visitors did not score after James Rigney pointed in the 47th minute and in the final 18 minutes of normal time, plus three for stoppages, Tipperary hit an unanswered 2-9.
Sheedy believes the hangover from a controversial 2007 has been truly cleansed from the system but a much tougher test lies in store for his developing side when beaten All-Ireland finalists and last year's Munster championship conquerors Limerick roll into town next Sunday.
Sheedy was also aware Offaly were weakened by the absence of the Birr contingent and talisman Brendan Murphy, a player-manager Joe Dooley expects to be without for the entire league campaign because of a knee injury. Dooley reported no fresh problems after the game and felt the game was there for the taking with 20 minutes remaining.
The manner of Offaly's collapse in the closing stages will have touched a nerve with supporters who have grown accustomed to heavy beatings in recent years and Dooley admitted: "We're disappointed with the margin of the defeat. We're missing a few (players) but we came here today hoping to win."
Dooley fielded an experimental side with a host of under-21 players and before the game, his opposite number Sheedy had targeted this fixture as extremely winnable.
Kelly's fellow inside forwards, Lar Corbett and Pa Bourke, hit three points each and Sheedy nodded: "I'd like to see a little bit more ball going in there because we do have an inside forward line as good as what's out there."
Tipperary led 0-6 to 0-2 after 12 minutes but sloppy defending allowed full-forward Derek Molloy a straightforward finish for Offaly's opening goal in the 13th minute. Offaly struck again after 18 minutes when full-back Declan Fanning dithered and allowed Daniel Currams the chance to square the ball across the face of goal, where the unmarked Damien Murray tapped home.
Trailing by 2-3 to 0-7, Tipperary refused to panic and by half-time they had recovered to lead by 0-14 to 2-5 as Corbett thundered into the game. Tipp scored at will once they pulled away towards the end but reserved the best until five minutes from time when Pat Kerwick found the net after he connected first time with Séamus Butler's scooped pass.
TIPPERARY: B Cummins; E Buckley, D Fanning, P Curran; E Corcoran, C O'Mahony, B Dunne; J Caesar, S Maher; P Kerwick (1-1), R O'Dwyer (0-1), J O'Brien (0-1); E Kelly (1-10, 0-8 frees, 0-1 65), L Corbett (0-3), P Bourke (0-3). Subs: S Callinan (0-3)for O'Dwyer 48 mins, D Fitzgerald for Caesar 48 mins, S Butler (0-2)for O'Brien 56 mins, W Ryan (0-1)for Bourke 65 mins.
OFFALY: S O'Connor; C Hernon, K Brady, D Franks; D Horan, J Bergin, D Kenny; C Mahon (0-1), J Rigney (0-2); S Dooley (0-3, two frees), G Oakley, B Carroll (0-1); D Currams, D Molloy (1-1), D Murray (1-0). Subs: J Brady for Currams 54 mins, F Kerrigan for Molloy 63 mins.
Referee: J Owens(Wexford).
