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Landmark win for the Kerry senior hurlers against Tipperary to set up clash with Limerick

Shane Conway hit 0-9 for the winners in Tralee.

Kerry 0-17

Tipperary 0-14

Paul Brennan reports from Austin Stack Park, Tralee

A THOROUGHLY DESERVED three-point win over Tipperary sets the Kerry hurlers up for a crack at All-Ireland champions Limerick next week in the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling Cup semi-final, and on the evidence of what they pulled off here it will be a challenge that wonโ€™t daunt them.

And why should it?

darragh-egerton-and-shane-conway Kerry hurler Shane Conway (file photo). Brian Reilly-Troy / INPHO Brian Reilly-Troy / INPHO / INPHO

Of course they wonโ€™t beat John Kielyโ€™s all-conquering team โ€“ whatever shape the Shannonsidersโ€™ team takes โ€“ but it will give new Kerry manager Stephen Molumphy a second game to get more acquainted with his new players. For the Waterford man, it is classic bonus territory.

This result comes with a huge caveat: this is January hurling, and played through the heaviest and coldest rain showers at that, but whether in hail, rain or sunshine โ€“ and we had all three at Austin Stack Park โ€“ the scoreboard doesnโ€™t lie.

Kerry had three points to spare over Tipperary but the scoreboard doesnโ€™t reveal that the home side had a late penalty saved, when a goal then would have put the Kingdom five clear. That they had to dig deep in the final few minutes after Shane Conwayโ€™s miss to find late scores from Paudie Ahern and Conway, will have pleased Molumphy as much as anything over the preceding 80 minutes.

Somewhat remarkably Kerry were never behind in this contest. Ahern, from the Killeedy club in west Limerick, opened the scoring for the home side after two minutes, and at the first water break Kerry led 0-4 to 0-3.

By half time the hosts led 0-9 to 0-6, Conway accounting for 0-5, with full back Fionan Mackessy booming over a huge point, as Kerry kept Tipperary under all kinds of pressure.

Sean Ryan converted four frees in the first half, and three more after the break, and perhaps one of the more damning stats from Tipperaryโ€™s point of view is that they scored just three points from play and never troubled Kerry goalkeeper Louis Dee with a meaningful shot. 

The Premier county โ€“ short a lot of regulars, just as Kerry were โ€“ hit too many wides in the first half, and given they played with a strong wind advantage, wonโ€™t have pleased manager Colm Bonnar.

By the 50th minute sub Willie Connorsโ€™ point brought Tipperary to within a point of Kerry, 0-11 to 0-10, and one feared the home side might run out of gas in the fourth quarter. Instead, Michael Leane, Gavin Dooley and Conway (free) struck for points to make it 0-14 to 0-10 at the second water break, and there was no evidence Tipp were going to turn it around.

stephen-molumphy Kerry manager Stephen Molumphy (file photo). James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Dylan Walsh came on for Connors, who suffered a serious leg injury that caused an 11-minute delay, and scored four frees, but Kerry were equal to the task, and should have put the game to bed with Conwayโ€™s 76th minute penalty. Barry Hogan saved the strike brilliantly, but Kerry drew more inspiration from the save than Tipp did, and held out for a famous win.

Limerick next week will be another mountain to climb, but Kerry will set out for that Everest with renewed confidence in themselves.

Scorers for Kerry: Shane Conway 0-9 (6f), Paudie Ahern 0-3, Fionan Mackessy 0-1, Colum Harty 0-1, Michael Leane 0-1, Gavin Dooley 0-1, Shane Nolan 0-1 (0-1f).

Scorers for Tipperary: Sean Ryan 0-7 (0-7f), Dylan Walsh 0-4 (0-4f), Robert Byrne 0-1, Conor Stakelum 0-1, Willie Connors 0-1.

Kerry

1. Louis Dee (Mungret)

25. Conor Oโ€™Keeffe (Lixnaw), 3. Fionan Mackessy (St Brendans), 4. Sean Weir (Crotta Oโ€™Neills)

5. Michael Leane (Ballyheigue), 6. Eric Leen (St Brendans), 23. Eoin Ross (Ballyduff)

8. Colin Walsh (Ballyheigue), 9. Colum Harty (Causeway)

22. Shane Nolan (Crotta Oโ€™Neills), 11. Shane Conway (Lixnaw), 12. Gavin Dooley (Causeway)

13. Mark Heffernan (Dr Crokes), 14. Paudie Ahern (Killeedy, Limerick), 15. James Sheehan (Crotta Oโ€™Neills)

Subs

10. Brian Lonergan (Tralee Parnells) for C Harty (47)

19. Michael Oโ€™Leary (Abbeydorney) for J Sheehan (50)

21. Sean Sheehan (Causeway) for G Dooley (72)

Tipperary

1. Barry Hogan (Kiladangan)

2. Daragh Carey (Templderry Kenyons), 3. James Quigley (Kiladangan), 4. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

5. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs), 6. Robert Byrne (Portroe), 7. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)

8. Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), 9. Sean Curran (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone)

10. Ger Browne (Cashel King Cormacs), 11. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), 12. Rian Doody (Cappawhite)

13. Sean Ryan (Templderry Kenyons), 14. Paul Flynn (Kildangan), 15. Kian Oโ€™Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

Subs

18. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill) for P Cadell (18)

17. Declan McGrath (Kiladangan) for D Carey (inj, 25)

20. Willie Connors (Kiladangan) for R Doody (half-time)

19. Seamus Kennedy (St Marys) for S Curran (54)

22. Dylan Walsh (Ballingarry) for K Oโ€™Kelly (56)

15. Kian Oโ€™Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs) for W Connors (inj, 67)

Referee: Ciaran Oโ€™Regan (Cork)

BTL 5

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31 Comments
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    Mute Great White Hope
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    Jan 8th 2022, 4:27 PM

    Well done Kerry. Hope Limerick wont spoil the parade.

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    Mute Paraic Malone
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    Jan 8th 2022, 4:45 PM

    When you work hard results like this can happen.Well done Kerry

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:20 PM

    Kerry for the Double 2022

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    Mute Colin McNamara
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:26 PM

    @Patrick O Connell: you heard it here first

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    Mute Anthony Baggott
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    Jan 8th 2022, 4:31 PM

    Tipperary hurling at a new low, There be no shortage of tinfoil in July anyway as theyโ€™ll be out by the time the munster championship is over.

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    Mute Colly08
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    Jan 8th 2022, 4:55 PM

    @Anthony Baggott: youโ€™ve absolutely no idea what youโ€™re talking about.

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    Mute Ultan Corcoran
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:06 PM

    @Anthony Baggott: Not to take away from this great Kerry achievement, but letโ€™s not forget its a warm-up competition and Tipp fielded about 3 first team players in the 15: Hogan in goals, McCormack in midfield, and Ger Browne. Again, Kerry can only play whoโ€™s infront of them so fair dues. Itโ€™s just clear Tipp were using the more peripheral, young, panel players today.

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    Mute Anthony Baggott
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:14 PM

    @แด›แดแด49: good one, Go and jump on a Carrolls ham advertisement there for yourself .

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    Mute Ciarรกn O' Donoghue
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:17 PM

    @แด›แดแด49: Disgusting comment

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    Mute Anthony Baggott
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:20 PM

    @Ciarรกn Oโ€™ Donoghue: disgusting, having the crack and he referes to heroin , shows there mentalityโ€ฆ and shows why everyone loves beating them .

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    Mute แด›แดแด49
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:39 PM

    @Anthony Baggott: Tinfoil for the sandwiches and spoons for the tea. If your mind jumped to heroin thatโ€™s on you.

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    Mute Anthony Baggott
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:43 PM

    @แด›แดแด49: the only spoon thatโ€™s worth mentioning is the one your mother shouldโ€™ve beat you with

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    Mute แด›แดแด49
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:50 PM

    @Anthony Baggott: child abuse? Disgusting comment

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    Mute Michael Gleeson
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    Jan 8th 2022, 5:57 PM

    @Ultan Corcoran: Kerry short their Kilmoyley players

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    Mute Ultan Corcoran
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    Jan 8th 2022, 9:54 PM

    @Michael Gleeson: True Michael, only read that later on. More credit to Kingdom hurlers so! As I said earlier, itโ€™s a brilliant achievement and will go a long way towards encouraging more of the small ball being played in the county. Perhaps even in parts that are predominantly football playing.

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    Mute Fergus McGrath
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    Jan 8th 2022, 6:38 PM

    Two Limerick club players in the Kerry team this afternoon, a good opportunity for them to get experience like David Reidy did with Kildare. Split Limerick in four!!

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    Mute Nick Condon Sen
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    Jan 8th 2022, 10:47 PM

    @Fergus McGrath:
    Little bit presumotious cocky comment on your part Dare I say.
    Maybe it was a bit tongue in cheek ?
    Well I reckon the goalkeeper with a name like Dee would have strong North Kerry Roots and might have aspirations to continue to play for them !!.
    Not sure about Paudie Ahern
    David Reidy was actual teaching in Kildare when he played for them.

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    Mute Fergus McGrath
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    Jan 8th 2022, 11:18 PM

    @Nick Condon Sen: It is completely tongue in cheek and it is actually hilarious to see Tipperary where Limerick were for decades. Another young hurler from Limerick is joining the Kerry panel, he has a chance of actually making the Limerick panel in the long term. David Reidy was not in a position to play for Limerick at the time and the game time served him well in the end it has to be said.

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    Mute Sรฉan ร“ Nuanรกin
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    Jan 8th 2022, 10:24 PM

    Comhghairdeas le Ciarraรญ. An bhfuil foireann nua ag teacht isteach sa spรณrt?

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    Mute Adrian O'Donnell
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    Jan 9th 2022, 4:53 PM

    @Sรฉan ร“ Nuanรกin: bfhรฉidir!

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    Mute Bill
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    Jan 8th 2022, 6:55 PM

    Tipp goalie Barry Hogan the only full time member of the Tipperary squad to start today donโ€™t think Kerry should get too excited with the result

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    Mute offtheball
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    Jan 8th 2022, 7:00 PM

    @Bill: true but todayโ€™s team was peppered with players we would be hoping would be putting their hands up for selection later in the season. Beating Kerry, who were also missing some of their first team players, should have been well within reach of this Tipp team. Very disappointing.

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Jan 8th 2022, 7:47 PM

    @Bill: Dan McCormack, Chatham

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    Mute Eoghan O'Leary
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    Jan 8th 2022, 7:48 PM

    @Bill: Dan McCormack, Cathal Barrett, Paddy Caddell weโ€™re all involved last year.

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    Mute Jim
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    Jan 8th 2022, 9:11 PM

    @Bill: there was a lad on that miller shield banging in the goals cant think of his name? Strong corner foward and very fast. Did he make it? If dere is one thing Tipp is missing its pace.

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    Mute Alan O Ceallaigh
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    Jan 9th 2022, 12:03 AM

    @Jim: couldnโ€™t agree more Jim it was a disgrace he wasnโ€™t called in after scoring 3-7 in the Miller cup

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    Mute THE BIRD
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    Jan 9th 2022, 12:47 AM

    As a limerick hurling fan youโ€™d be expecting limerick to go out and beat kerry next week, but I certainly wouldnโ€™t be shouting it from the roof tops before we play them, different days bring different results, weโ€™ll wait and see what kerry bring.
    great result for kerry

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    Mute Splat
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    Jan 8th 2022, 7:43 PM

    The 2 Johnnieโ€™s were playing today they should have been subbed.

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    Mute Dan Walsh
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    Jan 9th 2022, 7:36 AM

    Kerry without Kilmoyley player because of club intermediate champion also couple lads from Ballyduff who are resting after North Kerry football final last weekend

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    Mute Jimmy Fitzpatrick
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    Jan 8th 2022, 6:08 PM

    Speechless wake up

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    Mute colm buckley
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    Jan 9th 2022, 9:17 AM

    Time to split kerry Iโ€™m two!!
    Noโ€ฆ.. Too soon?

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