Tipperary's hurlers strike goals in the second half to down 14-man Kilkenny in senior challenge

Senior Hurling Challenge Match in aid of Mary’s Meals

Tipperary 2-20

Kilkenny 2-11

Tipperary struck the bulk of the scores in the second half against 14-man Kilkenny to record back-to-back challenge match wins, played on a freezing and wet winter's day in Templetuohy on Saturday afternoon.

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To say the weather wasn’t conducive to entertaining fare would be an understatement, but despite that, a decent crowd emerged to support a worthy cause, with all the funds going toward Mary’s Meals.

A ferociously cold and bitterly strong wind was blowing down to the village-end goals all game long, and with a five-point deficit playing against it in the first half, Tipperary emerged in the second half and eventually pulled away from a Kilkenny team that was reduced to 14 players after 13 minutes.

That red was rightly issued to James Walsh for leaving a heavy, head-high shoulder on Ray McCormack that led to the withdrawal of the Borris-Ileigh man, who looked visibly shaken by the blow.

Eventually, that would undo Kilkenny in the second half with goals from Paddy Creedon and a lovely finish from Oisin O’Donoghue in the final quarter, putting the result beyond doubt.

Kilkenny started the game the stronger and within 10 minutes, they had taken a 1-2 to 0-1 lead with James Walsh finishing off a turnover from a poor Tipperary puckout on the nine minute mark.

Walsh was quick to undo that good work with his dismissal three minutes later, mis-timing a shoulder completely to give Conor Doyle no other choice but to send him on his way to an early shower and out the Cats under major pressure to get scores on the board with the elements in their favour.

Tipperary had to run the ball relentlessly into the teeth of the wind, and they did get decent joy when they got high enough up the pitch to feed the ball into Billy Seymour and Paddy Creedon, with the aforementioned forward hitting two points in the first four scores for the home side.

Joe Fogarty, Jack Leamy, and Josh Keller all hit fine scores in the second quarter, but Kilkenny would take a 2-7 to 0-8 lead in at half-time with Marty Murphy’s superb strike hitting the top corner in the 30th minute, leaving Brian Hogan with no chance and with Michael Brennan striking well from placed balls, they would enjoy the interval lead.

Joe Caesar was left free and with the breeze and man advantage present in the second half, Tipp slowly started to reel the deficit in with substitute Charlie Ryan impressing in the opening ten minutes after his introduction.

Ryan picked off three lovely points, either side of points from Billy Seymour (free) and Josh Keller, and as soon as the 42nd minute, Tipp were level when Kevin McCarthy picked off his first score.

Killian Doyle would temporarily put Kilkenny back in front in the 43rd minute, but it was all Tipperary in the final quarter as they outscored their rivals 2-6 to 0-2 to ease home to victory.

Oisin O’Donoghue was scarcely on the pitch 30 seconds when he had a goal scored after breaking onto a ball from a free and lashing home across Aidan Tallis. A lovely team goal would follow, with Paddy Creedon providing the finish after good work from Billy Seymour and Charlie Ryan sent him through one-on-one. 

In that flurry, Adam Hall picked off a pair of lovely scores with his only two possessions, while O’Donoghue and Creedon added late points as the Tipperary crowd present had at least the warmth of a victory against the old rivals as respite from the bitter cold in Templetuohy.

There were plenty of standout performers on the day for Tipp. Josh Keller impressed at midfield in a tireless performance, hitting three points while Joe Egan complemented him well with sheer workrate throughout.

Billy Seymour bounced back after a poor outing against Limerick to impress, scoring four points and setting up a goal and countless other points, while Paddy Creedon once again looked a handful when the ball was delivered into him.

Charlie Ryan looked the part in his time on the pitch, while Adam Hall was clinical in the few deliveries he received in the second half.

Next up for Tipperary is the Munster Hurling League in the New Year, first facing Waterford in Clonmel on January 3, before finishing the group against Kerry in Tralee on January 7; all preparations for the start of the National Hurling League later that month.

Scorers: Tipperary: Billy Seymour (0-4, 0-2f), Josh Keller 0-3, Jack Leamy (0-3, 0-2f), Oisin O’Donoghue, Paddy Creedon 1-1 each, Adam Hall, Charlie Ryan 0-2 each, Joe Fogarty, Darragh Tynan, Kevin McCarthy, Adam Daly all 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Michael Brennan (0-5, 0-4f), James Walsh, Marty Murphy 1-0 each, Ed McDermott, David Barcoe, Luke Connellan, Killian Doyle, Gearoid Dunne, Joe Healy all 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Brian Hogan (Lorrha); Michael Breen (Ballina), Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh), Darragh Tynan (Roscrea); Alan Tynan (Roscrea), Joe Caesar (Holycross Ballycahill), Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers); Joe Egan (Moycarkey Borris), Josh Keller (Nenagh Éire Óg); Joe Fogarty (Moneygall), Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara), Peter McGarry (St Mary’s); Jack Leamy (Golden Kilfeacle), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), Billy Seymour (Kiladangan).

Subs used: Brian Óg O’Dwyer (Boherlahan Dualla) for Leamy (HT); Adam Hall (Toomevara) for McGarry (HT); Charlie Ryan (Boherlahan Dualla) for D Tynan (HT); Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for A Ryan (HT); Adam Daly (Knockavilla Kickhams) for A Tynan (40); Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for McCarthy (49).

Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney); Sean Moore (Carrickshock), Rory Garrett (Fenians), Conor McMahon (Erin’s Own); David Barcoe (Clara), Darragh Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Paddy Langton (Young Irelands); Killian Doyle (Emeralds), Cathal Beirne (Glenmore); Luke Connellan (Thomastown), Michael Brennan (Erin’s Own), Ed McDermott (James Stephens); James Walsh (Kilmacow), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Cillian Hackett (Dicksboro).

Subs used: Shane Staunton (Clara) for Langton (HT); Hackett (Tullaroan) for Barcoe (HT); Brian Staunton (Thomastown) for Barcoe (HT); Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan) for Beirne (HT); Adam Croke (Mooncoin) for McDermott (41); Bily Reid (Glenmore) for Neary (44, inj); Billy O’Neill (Graigue Ballycallan) for McMahon (53); Joe Healy (Barrow Rangers) for Connellan (54); Timmy Kelly (Bennettsbridge) for Corcoran (58); Tomás Roche (John Lockes) for Murphy (58).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)