Barry Grogan scored an injury-time free to earn Tipperary a surprise draw with promotion-chasing Down at Pairc Esler last night.

Down 0-14
Tipperary 1-11

Since Tipp defeated Down in last year's NFL Division 3 final, it seemed the teams' fortunes appeared to be going in opposite directions, but John Evans' charges were full value for their first league point of the campaign.

Down were poor and trailed to a scrappy Brian Mulvihill goal - which seemed to be saved by 'keeper Brendan McVeigh - at half-time. James McCartan's charges improved after the restart and with former Aussie Rules star Martin Clarke helping himself to 0-5 and also setting up numerous chances for his fellow forwards, they looked set to prevail.

But the concession of some needless frees enabled Tipp to stay in it and Down were made to pay when Grogan equalised at the death.

Scorers - Down: M Clarke 0-5 4f, C Laverty 0-3, J Clarke 0-3, P McComiskey 0-2 2f, C Maginn 0-1. Tipperary: C Sweeney 0-5 4f, B Grogan 0-3 3f, B Mulvihill 1-0, C Aighleart 0-2,, P Austin 0-1,

Down: B McVeigh; D McCartan, B McArdle, D Rafferty; K McKernan, J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rodgers, K King; C Maginn, M Clarke, P McComiskey; C Laverty, J Clarke, B Coulter. Subs: P Fitzpatrick for K King HT, S Kearney for C Maginn 40, M Poland for C Laverty 57, G McCartan for P McComiskey 67.

Tipperary: P Fitzgerald; N Curran, C McDonald, A Morrissey; C Aylward, R Costigan, C McGrath; G Hannigan, S Grogan; B Mulvihill, P Austin, J Cagney; C Sweeney, B Coen, B Grogan. Subs: S Hahessy for B Coen HT, S Carey for J Cagney 42, P Acheson for P Austin 52, A Rockett for S Grogan 68,

Referee: J Curley (Meath). Tweet

Most Read Stories