A lot of people have deserved to lose to Tipperary over the past couple of seasons but Ian O’Regan is not one of them.
Whilst Stephen O’Keefe manned the Déise goals with distinction during their daring run to an All-Ireland semi-final replay last year, O’Regan has been selected between the sticks for their opening two league games and, by God, he is doing a hell of a job.
A clean sheet in their win one-point win over Kilkenny was a decent enough afternoon’s work for the goalkeeper and, whilst they couldn’t back it up with a win over the All-Ireland champions, it took something desperately unlucky to beat O’Regan.
Bubbles O’Dwyer couldn’t do it from the spot.
Lightning quick reactions, full-stretched antics, and pinpoint precision are a difficult combination to beat after all.
Noel McGrath couldn’t beat him either with the most beautifully-placed top corner effort.
McGrath let fly from just beyond the 13′. It should’ve hammered in off the stanchion. Ian O’Regan had different ideas.
He deflected the ball high and miraculously.
It was unbelievable.
Noel McGrath probably couldn’t believe it. But O’Regan was presumably more flabbergasted when John McGrath pounced in on the rebound.
The only time they could score was when he wasn’t there to stop them.
https://twitter.com/MarisaK96/status/833336428939661312
Outrageous save from Ian O'Regan, but John McGrath pounces on the rebound for Tipp. 1-16 to 13 points now. #GAA
— GAA Wrap (@gaawrap) February 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/agregg_96/status/833431130166685697
Waterford keeper pulling off some serious saves
— Éanna Wilson (@Eannawilson12) February 19, 2017
Have to feel for the Waterford keeper he's having a great game. Top class saves.
— Liam Keane (@liamothebear) February 19, 2017
This guy is going places.
