Tipperary showed they will not relinquish their Guinness All-Ireland hurling title lightly with an emphatic 2-19 to 1-09 victory over Offaly in this evening's qualifier at sunny Portlaoise. Two first-half goals from Brian O'Meara and John Carroll paved the way for a convincing win for Nicky English's men and the ease at which they came through a one-sided second-half will serve as ample warning to any pretenders to their crown.
Brian O'Meara scored the opening goal of the inside the first ten minutes when he latched on to a pass from the inspired John Carroll, who made a surging run from midfield through the Offaly defence before squaring to the unmarked O'Meara to drive home. 19-year-old Stephen Browne grabbed a goal back for Offaly in the 19th minute with a stunning strike, turning with his back to goal from 20 yards out before unleashing a thundering drive past Tipp 'keeper Brendan Cummins.
O'Meara returned the compliment for Carroll on 26 minutes when they exchanged passes before the latter gave Limerick 'keeper Stephen Byrne no chance with stunning drive to give Tipp a well-deserved 2-08 to 1-06 half-time lead.
The second-half was a much more one-sided affair with Tipperary dominating the key areas, and Offaly were restricted to just three points as the defending champions ran riot with a further 11 points to confirm their passage into the next round.
Filed by Shane Murray
