Tipperary 2-17
Dublin 1-15
Derek Ryan at Croke Park
Dublin’s day in Croke has ended in disappointment, as the minor hurlers were edged out in a tight and tense All-Ireland semi final this afternoon.
It was close game throughout, but the Premier County pulled clear in the last 10 minutes to seal their passage into the Electric Ireland All-Ireland final next month, where they will play Galway.
Dublin more than held their own against the Munster Champions and were probably the better team in a tight first half.
The Boys in Blue defended in numbers, dropping a lot of men back, but till couldn’t stop Tipp hitting the net twice in the opening 30 minutes- David Gleeson and Tommy Nolan scoring goals for the Blue n' Gold inside the first 20 minutes.
Matthew Oliver once again proved the star man for Dublin- his 7 first half points helping to keep Dublin right in the mix.
Fergal Whitley struck goal for Dublin in the 21st minute, while 3 late points on the bounce from Ciaran Dowling and Oliver saw Dublin take a share of the lead into the half time break- 1-9 to 2-6 after 30 minutes.
Dublin started the second half the better side and raced into a 2 point lead, thanks to points from Alex Considine and that man Oliver again.
Tipp’s threat was always lurking, however, and Dublin keeper Eoin Skelly was forced to pull off an excellent save early in the half when one-on-one against Tipp’s David Gleeson.
Tipp did fight back, with 3 points of their own to take the lead again.
After that, though, it was score for score in a cracking second half.
Dublin missed chances in front of the posts and had several second half goal chances which they couldn’t put away.
That wastefulness proved costly, as the Premier pulled clear in the last 10 minutes.
Dublin had edged ahead in the 46th minute, thanks to Ciaran Dowling’s fourth point of the match.
But six points without reply from Tipp, four of those coming from the hurl of the fantastically named Lyndon Fairbrother, saw Dublin’s challenge peter out.
They eventually lost out by 5 points.
Oliver struck 10 points for the Boys in Blue- 8 of those from placed balls-but those crucial missed chances proved costly as Dublin missed out on an All-Ireland final place.
It finished Tipperary 2-17, Dublin 1-15.
