Tipp's first half drive proves too much for Kerry

Tipperary 4-20

Kerry 1-14

 

A win, a good workout and progression to a final.

Tipperary couldn't have hoped for much more from last Saturday's Munster Hurling League encounter with Kerry in Nenagh.

It was as much as could be expected from a game Tipperary were expected to win comfortably, which they did, but it was mainly to a fifteen minute spell at the end of the first half when Liam Sheedy's charges upped a gear and with the help of three goals, were sixteen points clear at half time.

That they lost the second half by a point is more a reflection on a very competitive Kerry side that played a fluid brand of hurling where they were comfortable on the ball and on the day had some of the leading individuals, including centre back Mikey Boyle who was powerful in the air, while at the other end, the talents of Shane Conway were on view for all to see.

There is no doubt Kerry will benefit hugely from competing against the likes of Tipperary and Limerick as they prepare for the Joe MacDonagh Cup later in the summer, and they came up against a pretty strong Premier County selection with experience right throughout the side, including Padraic Maher and Noel McGrath, who didn't feature in the round one win over Limerick.

There were senior competitive debuts for Kiladangan's Barry Hogan in goal as well as under 21 teammates Robert Byrne (sub) Killian O'Dwyer at corner back, though the Killenaule man didn't have much chance to shine with Kerry opting to withdraw a forward into the midfield midway through the first half to curb the early bleeding of scores to a Tipperary side who were hungry in what they did.

With the squad still in relatively heavy schedule of training, they did tire in the second half so in taking what you can from the game, there was much to admire from the first period, particularly the way they moved the ball.

 

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Noel McGrath (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 65); Noel McGrath 1-4; Mark Kehoe 1-3; Jake Morris 0-3; Patrick Maher 1-0; Michael Breen, Dan McCormack, Donagh Maher, Willie Connors, Cian Darcy 0-1 each.

Kerry: Brandon Barrett 0-5 (4 frees); Shane Conway 1-2; Micheal O'Leary 0-3; Jack Goulding 0-2; Niall O'Mahony, Colum Harty 0-1 each.

 

TEAMS – Tipperary: Barry Hogan (Kiladangan 7); Donagh Maher (Burgess 6), Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Killian O'Dwyer (6); Alan Flynn (Kiladangan 7), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary's 6), Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og 7); Michael Breen (Ballina 6), Willie Connors (Kiladangan 7); Dan McCormack (Borris-Ileigh 7), Noel McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney 9), Patrick Maher (Lorrha 7); Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 8), Jason Forde (Silvermines 8), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Og 7).

Subs: Cathal Barrett (Holycross/Ballycahill 7) for D Maher (48); Cian Darcy (Kilruane MacDonaghs 7) for Kehoe (51); Robert Byrne (Portroe 6) for Kennedy (56); Mark McCarthy (Toomevara 6) for McGrath (62); Tom Fox (Eire Og Annacarty 6) for Heffernan (64).

Kerry: John B O'Halloran (6); Eric Leen (6), James O'Connor (6), John Buckley (6); Jason Diggins (6), Mikey Boyle (8), Tomas O'Connor (7); David Griffin (6), Niall O'Mahony (7); Micheal O'Leary (8), Shane Conway (8), Fionan MacKessy (6); Jack Goulding (7), Brandon Barrett (6), Micheal Slattery (6).

Subs: Bryan Murphy (6) for O'Connor (41); Colum Harty (7) for MacKessy (41); Jordan Conway (6) for Slattery (44); Sean Weir (6) for Leen (54); Micheal Leane (6) for O'Mahony (56).

Referee: Nathan Wall (Cork).

 

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