Kilkenny 0-20
Tipperary 1-14
REIGNING ALL-IRELAND champions Kilkenny progressed to Round 3 of the SHC qualifiers thanks to a superb win over Tipperary this evening.
In front of a jam-packed Nowlan Park, the great rivals played out an entertaining affair – which saw Lar Corbett find the back of the net before going off injured and Henry Shefflin make his long-awaited return.
There was an enormous roar from the 23,307 fans present when the teams emerged for what was the biggest game of the summer so far.
Shefflin, sidelined through injury all year, was named on the bench while Paul Murphy, TJ Reid and Matt Ruth all started in place of Conor Fogarty, Michael Rice and Aidan Fogarty.
In what was a tense encounter, the opening minutes witnessed both teams exchange scores through Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan and Eoin Kelly and 15 minutes in, the Premier County scored the only goal of the game.
Excellent build-up play and a brilliant pass from John O’Dwyer set up Corbett, who smashed his shot past Eoin Murphy. Unfortunately, however, the former Hurler of the Year was forced off with a knock before the half-hour mark with Seamus Callanan coming on in his place.
At half-time, there was nothing in it and the teams were level at 0-9 to 1-6.
Kieran Bergin was introduced for Shane McGrath upon the restart which resulted in Brendan Maher moving into midfield.
Tipp got themselves in front thanks to a John O’Brien score but it was short-lived as Kilkenny responded through an Eoin Larkin free and Richie Hogan from play.
With five minutes on the clock, there was still just a single point in it but Larkin (who scored 11 on the day) converted another free and the returning Shefflin, on for the final minutes, set up Richie Power before Colin Fennelly tapped over.
John O’Dwyer pulled Tipperary back to within three points but that signalled the final whistle and Kilkenny march on for a meeting with Waterford next weekend.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Eoin Larkin 0-11 (0-11f), Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan 0-3 each, Richie Power 0-2, Colin Fennelly 0-1.
Scorers for Tipperary: Eoin Kelly 0-5 (0-4f, 0-1 ’65), Lar Corbett 1-0, John O’Dwyer 0-3, Seamus Callanan 0-2, John O’Brien, Noel McGrath, James Woodlock, Kieran Bergin 0-1 each.
KILKENNY: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrell; Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Kieran Joyce; Matthew Ruth, Lester Ryan; TJ Reid, Richie Power, Eoin Larkin; Colin Fennelly, Walter Walsh, Richie Hogan. Subs: Ger Aylward for Reid (20), Aidan Fogarty for Aylward (52), Henry Shefflin for Ruth (63).TIPPERARY: Brendan Cummins; Conor O’Brien, Paddy Stapleton, Michael Cahill; Brendan Maher, Conor O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; James Woodlock, Shane McGrath; Patrick Maher, Noel McGrath, John O’Brien; John O’Dwyer, Eoin Kelly, Lar Corbett. Subs: Seamus Callanan for Corbett (28), Kieran Bergin for Shane McGrath (half-time), Jason Forde for Patrick Maher (52), Gearoid Ryan for O’Brien (54), Brian O’Meara for Kelly (63).
Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)
