Allianz HL Division 1B: Antrim 0-12 Tipperary 2-21
TIPPERARY did what they needed to do at a sodden Corrigan Park on Saturday to earn a Division One semi-final meeting with Clare next week. The draw between Galway and Limerick ensured any type of victory for Tipp would suffice.
"We came up to win the match and that was our primary objective," said Tipperary manager Liam Cahill.
"The players didn't know but someone told me just at the throw-in about the draw in Pearse Stadium. It's just as well (Galway and Limerick drew) as we would have needed to get up to the 30-point mark.
"I'm happy to a certain extent, but lots to work on and next weekend will be a big test.
"Conditions were poor but in fairness to Corrigan Park, the pitch was in great condition despite all the rain, but I'm delighted to qualify for the last four and see what will happen next weekend."
Aodhán O'Brien was Antrim's sole scorer in the opening period though the visitors weren't exactly setting the world alight either.
The breakthrough goal came around the half hour when Conor Stakelum burst forward and popped into Jake Morris to finish, while Jason Forde's sixth of the first half then put the Premier into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead.
Forde and O'Brien continued to lead the way in the scoring stakes in the second half, though Niall McKenna had three second-half scores for Antrim and was denied a goal by the boot of Rhys Shelly.
Tipperary extended the gap with substitutes Dan McCormack and Darragh Stakelum adding to scores from Bryan O'Mara and Danny Slattery. And Tipp finished with a flourish as Morris banged home a second goal.
Eoghan Connolly exited with an elbow injury that adds to the Premier woes after it was confirmed Seamus Kennedy is out for the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate tear against Limerick last week.
Cahill believes the Clonmel man will bounce back. "I'm so disappointed for Seamus, such a versatile player and massive for us. He's been a real key man for me. When there are fires, Seamus is the man to put them out anywhere on the field.
"I do know his resilience, so he will be back and he'll get whatever support he needs from my side to make that happen. Six months' time seems a long time away for him at the moment, but hopefully he's back then."
Scorers for Antrim: A O'Brien (0-8, 7 frees); N McKenna (0-3); R McAteer (0-1)
Scorers for Tipperary: J Forde (0-12, 8f, 1 65); J Morris (2-2); S Kenneally (0-2); E Connolly, B O'Mara, D Slattery, D McCormack, D Stakelum (0-1 each)
ANTRIM: Cormac McFadden; Phelim Duffin, Rory McCloskey, Paddy Burke; Scott Walsh, Ryan McGarry, Enda Og McGarry; Eoghan Campbell, Niall O'Connor; Niall McKenna, Aodhán O'Brien, Conor Boyd; Eoin McFerran, Conor McCann, Fred McCurry.
Subs: Ronan McAleer for F McCurry (53), Christy McGarry for E Og McGarry (53), Eoin Trainor for S Walsh (62), Arron Bradley for C McCann (68), Ruairi McCormick for N O'Connor (68)
TIPPERARY: Rhys Shelly; Danny Slattery, Ronan Maher, Craig Morgan; Michael Breen, Robert Byrne, Bryan O'Mara; Paddy Cadell, Eoghan Connolly; Conor Stakelum, Sean Kenneally, Noel McGrath; Jake Moris, Jason Forde, Dean Ryan.
Subs: Sean Hayes for S Ryan (HT), Darragh Stakelum for E Connolly (40), Cathal Quinn for P Cadell (49), Dan McCormack for N McGrath (56), Billy Seymour for S Kenneally (65)
Referee: Chris Mooney (Dublin)
