KEY PLAYERS FROM Kilkenny and Tipperary picked up The Sunday Game man-of-the-match awards this weekend following two incredible All-Ireland SHC semi-finals.
Tipperary and Kilkenny prevailed from both ties to book their place in the decider on Sunday 18 August, with Wexford and All-Ireland champions Limerick bowing out of the competition.
Brian Cody’s side dethroned the Shannonsiders in Croke Park on Saturday evening after an absorbing battle which saw TJ Reid hit eight points to inspire the Cats to victory.
It was an exceptional result for manager Cody whose record in All-Ireland semi-finals now stands at 16 wins from 19 attempts.
'We missed this so much'
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 27, 2019
TJ Reid chats to @martym_rte after @kilkennyclg defeated the All-Ireland champions #RTEGAAhttps://t.co/ziWTtauVgP pic.twitter.com/V4T43qRO08
On Sunday, another epic battle unfolded in GAA headquarters as Wexford and Tipperary squared off in the other final four clash.
There was plenty of drama as Liam Sheedy’s charges narrowly came out on top despite finishing with 14 men after John McGrath was dismissed.
Noel McGrath produced a brilliant display for Tipperary, hitting four points from play to help secure a place in the All-Ireland final.
'Tipperary have been questioned. Anyone looking for answers got them today' - Man of the match Noel McGrath after an epic clash with Wexford. #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/I2EOSEoxXn
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 28, 2019
Both Reid and McGrath were handed the Sunday Game man-of-the-match awards for their efforts.
Do you agree with the man-of-the-match winners? Let us know.
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Ronan Maher very good for Tipp
@Philip McLoughlin: he got sky motm and it was well deserved
@Philip McLoughlin: he was sensational. HOTY contender I’d say.
@Philip McLoughlin: i agree Philly I would have thought Ronan Maher would have got it too
Sean Cleere did very well for Wexford prevented tipp for scoring 2 certain goals!
@Ollie Mcloughlin: Cleere was clearly MOTY!
@Ollie Mcloughlin: and missed a wexford penalty and tipp sending off did u c tat to
@Declan Breen: what sending off did he miss?
@Declan Breen: really he also missed several yellow cards for wexford a square ball.. overruled himself after giving Tipp a penalty after disallowing Morris goal. Disallowed Breens goal which was not contrary to what many people think a push in the back on the defender need i go on. And the sending off your raving about is that the one where the wexford lad gave Barry Heffernan a dig and when he got one in return he went down like he was shot give me a break
I’d have given it to Padraig Walsh for KK and Ronan Maher for Tipp, but TJ is in a class of his own everyday he goes out and McGrath really stepped up when it mattered. Two fantastic games of hurling from four class teams, fair play to all involved. Incredible stuff from amateur sportsmen.
Colin Fennelly, Adrain Mullan and Padraig Walsh could have got the nod too.
I agree with Noel he had a great game.
In kilkenny you’d think TJ Reid is the only player the have he always seems to get man off the match.
Ronan Maher for Tipp I think. No argument on tj. Genius.