Kilkenny 2-17
Tipperary 0-20
KILKENNY ARE HURLING league champions once more after they had three points to spare over Tipperary in a pulsating and intense encounter in Nowlan Park this afternoon.
21,447 fans were packed into the Kilkenny venue to watch the Cats and the Premier go at it in a game where Michael Fennelly inspired the winners to glory as he fired home the only two goals of the game in the first-half.
The match heated up after the interval with both JJ Delaney and Lar Corbett being shown red cards for an off the ball incident that will result in both players being suspended for their counties respective championship openers.
Kilkenny claimed the county’s 16th national league title on home soil despite being shorn of key figures from their setup like Brian Cody, Henry Shefflin and TJ Reid.
But they welcomed Fennelly – who missed their semi-final win over Galway – back into the starting fifteen and he exploded from the blocks to fire to the net in the 3rd minute after a surging run through the heart of the Tipperary defence.
Tipperary steadied their challenge, inspired by midfielder Brendan Maher, but were then rocked again when Fennelly found the net from a tight angle in the 21st minute with a shot that evaded Premier goalkeeper Darren Gleeson.
Tipperary enjoyed a purple patch before the break with Eoin Kelly and Noel McGrath on song up front as they drew level at 2-5 to 0-11 but late first-half points by Lester Ryan and Fennelly sent Kilkenny ahead at the break.
The second-half was a tight affair as the teams traded points but both had to finish the game with 14 men after Delaney and Corbett were sent-off in the 46th minute. Shortly after Seamus Callanan and Brendan Maher posted the points that tied the game at 2-10 to 0-16 but crucially Tipperary could never forge ahead and indeed they were never level on the scoreboard in the last quarter.
Eoin Larkin’s accuracy from placed balls kept Kilkenny in front yet substitutes Pa Bourke and John O’Brien ensured Tipperary hung in contention. However Michael Rice landed the insurance point in injury-time for the Cats to ensure they are celebrating tonight.
Kilkenny’s Michael Rice hits the shoulder of Paul Curran of Tipperary
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Kilkenny: Michael Fennelly 2-3, Eoin Larkin 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65), Lester Ryan 0-3, Kieran Joyce, Michael Rice, Cillian Buckley, Richie Hogan, Colin Fennelly 0-1 each.
Tipperary: Eoin Kelly 0-5 (0-4f), Brendan Maher 0-4, Noel McGrath 0-3, Seamus Callanan (0-2f), Pa Bourke 0-2 each, Shane Bourke, John O’Brien, Padraic Maher, Darren Gleeson (0-1f) 0-1 each.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy (Glenmore); Paul Murphy (Danesfort), JJ Delaney (Fenians), Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Kieran Joyce (Rower-Inistioge); Lester Ryan (Clara), Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro), Michael Rice (Carrickshock,) Eoin Larkin (James Stephens); Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Richie Hogan (Danesfort), Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds).
Subs: Matthew Ruth (James Stephens) for Fogarty (62).
TIPPERARY: Darren Gleeson (Portroe); Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor O’Mahony (Newport), Paul Curran (Mullinahone); Kieran Bergin (Killenaule), Pádraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor O’Brien (Eiré Og Anacarty Donohill); Brendan Maher (Borrisoleigh); Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch); Seamus Callanan (Drom and Inch), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields), Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha); Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone) Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney).
Subs: John O’Dwyer (Killenaule) for Kelly (48), Jason Forde (Silvermines) for Callanan (57), John O’Brien (Toomevara) for Shane McGrath (58), Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields) for Bourke (61), James Woodlock for Patrick Maher (67).
Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)
Kilkenny’s Cillian Buckley and Michael Cahill of Tipperary
Pic: INPHO/Ryan Byrne
