Tipperary 2-22
Kilkenny 1-13
Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium
BRIAN CODY’S KILKENNY will contest a relegation playoff following this afternoon’s 12-point thumping against Tipperary at Semple Stadium.
Defeat at Semple Stadium and Cork’s victory over Galway mean that the Cats must fight it out for Division 1A status in 2016.
And next weekend’s final group clash with Clare could well turn out to be a dress rehearsal ahead of a winner-takes-all relegation clash.
Kilkenny were beaten for a third successive game this afternoon as goals in either half from Seamus Callanan and Niall O’Meara made it three wins on the spin for Tipp.
This was Tipp’s first victory over Kilkenny since a League victory two years ago – and just their second in the last 12 League and championship outings against their ancient rivals.
And it’s the first time that Kilkenny have suffered three successive defeats in competitive games under Cody’s watch.
Tipp had nine players on the scoresheet and by half-time, the hosts were seven points clear – 1-16 to 1-9.
It was a gripping first half in front of 10,421 spectators, with the sides sharing 27 scores between them before the interval.
The scoring rate dropped substantially in the second half, as Hogan saw his 42nd minute penalty saved on the line by Brendan Maher, and with Tipp in cruise control, the closing stages were played at almost challenge match pace.
But right from the start, there had been a championship feel to proceedings as both sides went at it.
Kilkenny would ultimately suffer from the absence of key names but Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan was on his game, shooting all of Kilkenny’s first half points.
Hogan’s influence on proceedings was far less dramatic in the second half as Tipp plugged the spaces in which Hogan had excelled before half-time.
And when Callanan set up O’Meara for a 54th minute goal, Tipp were eleven points clear, 2-18 to 1-10.
Tipp were 13 points ahead before the final whistle and won pulling up with 12 to spare in front of a triumphant home crowd.
Callanan’s fourth minute goal set Tipp on the road to victory – after Jonjo Farrell had netted after just 16 seconds for Kilkenny.
Scorers for Tipperary: Seamus Callanan 1-7 (0-3f, 0-1 65), Niall O’Meara 1-2, John O’Dwyer 0-4, Noel McGrath 0-3, Michael Breen 0-2, Pádraic Maher, James Woodlock, Jason Forde & Shane Bourke 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Richie Hogan 0-10 (6f), Jonjo Farrell 1-1, Mark Kelly & John Power (65) 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Darren Gleeson (Portroe)
19. Paul Curran (Mullinahone)
3. Conor O’Mahony (Newport)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
5. Michael Breen (Ballina)
6. Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
8. Kieran Bergin (Killenaule)
9. James Woodlock (Drom & Inch)
10. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
11. Brendan Maher (Borrisoleigh)
12. Jason Forde (Silvermines)
13.Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
14. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch)
24. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
Subs:
4. Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty) for Curran (inj, 29)
23. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch) for Forde (51)
15. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) for O’Meara (59)
17. Shane Bourke (JK Brackens) for N McGrath (62)
16. Darragh Egan (Kildangan) for Gleeson (65).
Kilkenny
1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
2. Shane Prendergast (Clara)
3. Paul Murphy (Danesfort)
4. Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens)
8. Brian Kennedy (St Lachtain’s)
6. Kieran Joyce (Rower-Instioge)
7. Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro)
22. Mark Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels)
9. Lester Ryan (Clara)
10. Walter Walsh (Tullogher-Rosbercon)
11. Richie Hogan (Danesfort)
12. Matthew Ruth (James Stephens)
13. Jonjo Farrell (Thomastown)
14. John Power (Carrickshock)
15. Ger Aylward (Glenmore)
Subs:
23. Kevin Kelly (St Patrick’s) for Aylward (h.t.)
18. Joe Lyng (Rower-Instioge) for Ryan (48)
Referee: James McGrath (Westmeath)
H’on Tipp , well done lads!
C’mon the Premier
Defeat no big surprise with team we had out. Going to the well once too often and all that …… Few sub standard players im afraid
In my eyes sub standard is right considering todays match.Would you think the future isnt as bright as it once was considering the replacements we had out there today?i know the ballyhale lads will be back but we cant depend on them forever
Sometimes you learn more about players in defeat than a win. No better test for any of players than a fired up Tipp team. The 2 teams bring out the best of each other. Only time will tell but if they can’t learn off the likes of senior KK players that are there at moment then there is no hoe at all. Early in year yet so won’t panic yet
our top flight status isn’t in danger. if we lose to the Banner next Sunday, it wouldn’t surprise me if the GAA rush through yet another restructure & keep Kilkenny in the top division!
Havnt seen such a dull dispaly from Kilkenny like that in a long ling time.I know this is a patched up team but……….its Kilkenny.I didnt expect them to win but only for Eoin Murphys save,Jackie Tyrell,Richie Hogan and paul murphy at times Kilkenny would have been in for a record humiliating score.Never thought id see the day where a kk foward taking 3attempts to rise the ball and failing and then when ball in hand not knowing what to do or where to go.And for Tipp…………its only March and they are playing piggy in the middle style hurling against a top team!going to be an exciting end to the league with kk and clare in relegation final and then the rest trying to win it
You say but, it’s KK like they should have a good team regardless of them missing 7 of the all Ireland winning team plus retirements from the reserves.
Take 7 top players out of any team and they will struggle.
Was waiting for someone to mention all the lads Kilkenny were missing from the All Ireland!!
Just for the record Tipp were missing Larry Corbett, Paddy Stapleton, Bonner Maher, James Barry & Shane McGrath (who admittedly did come on for last 10 mins today when the contest was totally over) from the team that started last years All Ireland!! Also missing today was Michael Cahill who came on in both All Ireland games and is one of the best backs in the country.
So just wondering where the 2nd best team in the country went?? Ye all remember it, the one that was supposed to be training below in Nowlan Park every week under Mr Cody.
On a positive note for Tipp, young Maher looks a good lad as does Niall O Meara who was outstanding in the first half in particular. Got a sly belt on the head just before half time which wasn’t much of a help to him! The most impressive of the Tipp newcomers though I thought was Michael Breen who was pretty outstanding throughout. A big strong physical lad with great fast hands and an eye for a score. It’s early days yet but he may well be the real deal for Tipp before the summer is out.
You can make that argument all u want but in fairness,tipp were just on fire out there today.Yes Kilkenny were making a good few handling errors in the fowards but I was really taken back by how good Tipp were.And if you say that Tipp were just as weakened as Kilkenny were I will say(even with ‘subs’ playin that well)its time now for them to win this league and try to follow it on in later months
We can but try Emma! I’ve no doubt Kilkenny will be very much involved come the business end as I hope Tipp will be to. I’d never get too carried away with indifferent League form but it’s always great to see young lads coming through and showing potential.
Tipp have issues to sort before the Championship naturally enough but the form key men like Paudie Maher, Bubbles Dwyer, Seamie Callanan are in would give a bit of encouragement to Tipp supporters to be honest. The squad are playing with a bit of honesty and conviction, they look tuned in and very fit and I thought the hurling at times today was top drawer.
Maybe at times Tipp tend to over elaborate and over indulge in the short passes, the faster you can play that type of game the better though and to be fair they’ll not be aiming to peak in March/April,
There has probably been a bit of a persistent weakness under the high ball in the forwards over the last few years which may be contributing to the tactic of trying move the ball shorter and at pace to the man in space. When lads get their first touch fully up to speed and they’re working their collective socks off it can be brilliant and good forwards end up get the type of ball they want. Chest high ball played into space and the likes of Callanan can destroy teams.
When the opposition up their work-rate and close down the space in the middle third it can lead to Tipp reverting back to type though and tanking high ones in totally suiting the defenders!
Hard to see anything other than a Tipp clean sweep this year:
- Tipp League Champions, Munster Champions and All Ireland Champions with 15 all stars.
That’s the spirit Joe!!