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Armagh came back from two second half Tipperary goals taking the last three points of the game to claim a draw in the TG4 All Ireland series on Saturday. Making the long trip to FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles to face Tipperary they knew that victory would guarantee them a home quarter-final in the TG4 All-Ireland serie but they didn't bank on two second half Tipperary goals in three minutes rocking them back on their heels during the course of this very lively encounter.
Armagh manager Greg McGonigle praised his squad for the way they responded to the Tipperary goals. The two goals in three minutes from Anna Rose Kennedy and Aisling Moloney pushed Tipperary ahead in the second half in Thurles before Armagh came back to claim a 2-4 to 0-10 draw.
“Obviously we would have been happier with a win but when you concede two sucker punch goals, and then show great character to get back into the match, you would have to be pleased. We were three down with seven minutes to go and we were very aggressive with our pressing to get back on terms,” said McGonigle.
The Orchard County got the better of Meath by a single point the first round and were in pole position as they faced a Tipperary side making a first appearance since the Munster championship round robin stages when they lost out to Cork.
The visitors were the better side in the first half and could have enjoyed a greater lead than the 0-4 to 0-3 scoreline had they taken their chances. But, Tipperary showed a lot of resilience and following the opening score from Emma Morrissey in the 4th minute, Tipp added two further Morrisey points to keep in touch with Armagh who showed a lot of endeavour in their approach play.
Indeed, Armagh attacked with real pace and this yielded first half flags for Eve Lavery (2), Blainhin Mackin and centre back Lauren McConville as she charged forward and split the posts.
Tipp were without centre forward Aishling McCarthy for a ten minute spell, split by the half time break, after she was yellow carded for persistent fouling. But, they managed to weather the Armagh storm during that period and the gap still stood at the bare minimum by the time she returned — Anna Rose Kennedy and Eve Lavery trading points after resumption.
Armagh extended their leads though through Emily Druse and Kelly Mallon, but Tipp hit back with an Aishling Moloney goal in the 13th minute to draw the sides level again.
And, the Armagh net was rattled again three minutes later when Anna Rose Kennedy was on the end of a wonderful passing movement to beat Anna Carr with a looping shot.
Armagh responded well and they kicked the final three scores of the game through Kelly Mallon (2) and Angela McGuigan to rescue a point and remain unbeaten in the series as they advance to the quarter-finals of the TG4 All-Ireland SFC.
It was a well earned point for Tipperary for whom keeper Lauren Fitzpatrick was also yellow carded right at the very end of the game.
Scorers: Tipperary: AR Kennedy 1-1; E Morrissey 0-3 (2f); A Moloney 1-0.
Armagh: E Lavery 0-3 (2f); K Mallon 0-3(3 f); E Druse, L McConville, B Mackin, A McGuigan 0-1 each.
TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; E Kelly, L Spillane, E Cronin; C O'Dwyer, M Curley, S English; L Morrissey, AR Kennedy; C English, A Moloney, E Morrissey; M Creedon, A McGuigan, E McCarthy. Subs: N Towey for Creedon (45); K Downey for McCarthy (44).
ARMAGH: A Carr; G Ferguson, C McCambridge, R Mulligan; C Towe, L McConville, D Coleman; N Coleman, E Lavery; E Druse, A McCoy, B Mackin; M McCambridge, N Henderson, K Mallon. Subs: S Quigley for Druse (46); C Doyle for Lavery (52); Reel for Mackin.
Referee: Anthony Marron (Monaghan)
Final score: Armagh 0-10 Tipperary 2-4
