A last gasp two-pointer foiled Longford after a dramatic final 10 minutes of play in Clonmel.
Mike Solan’s side were looking for their first win of the campaign following last weekend’s draw with Limerick; were edged out on a score line of 3-13 to 1-18 in Tipperary.
Six minutes of play had elapsed in Clonmel before spectators were treated to the opening score through Tipperary’s Conor Fahey. Longford replied through points from Iarla o Sullivan and Matthew Carey to level the scoring.
A succession of two pointers from Longford’s Matthew Carey and Oran Kenny moved the visitors four in front. In the following four minutes, Tipperary found the back of the Longford net twice to move two points clear.
Four unanswered Longford points restored theirtwo points ahead, with Cathal McCabe in the thick of the action. Both sides traded points through Ben Comerford and Aaron Farrell before half-time.
Longford headed for the changing rooms, leading by two on; 2-3 to 11 points.
Tow pointers change the game
Two minutes into the second-half, Cathal Mccabe found the back of the Tipperary net putting the visitors into a commanding six point lead.
However, Tipperary responded with two points, the latter from the boot of Mark Stokes. On 42 minutes Tipperary’s Michael Freaney added his side’s third goal of the afternoon.
Longford led by one, however went onto add score four points over the following ten minutes. Oran Kenny and Aaron Farrell both chipping in.
With Longford leading by three, up stepped Tipperary’s Sean O Connor to score a two pointer, setting up a nervy finish.
In the final minutes of normal time Longford’s Dessie Reynolds and Tipp’s Cian Smith traded scores, leaving Longford a point ahead when five minutes of added time were announced.
In the second minute of added time up stepped Tip’s Mark Russell to score from outside the arc and raise the newly introduced orange flag, for what turned out to be the winning score.
