THIS IS IT, the biggest game of the hurling season is upon us. We’re live from Croke Park following all the action as Tipperary take on Kilkenny.
As always, we’d love to hear your comments. Send them to fintan@thescore.ie, tweet them @TheScoreGAA, find us on Facebook, or leave a comment below.
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We’re building up here for the big one, it’s Tipperary against Kilkenny on the biggest day in the hurling calendar. Follow our coverage of the 2014 All-Ireland senior hurling final here, throw-in at 3.30pm.
Tipperary have gone with an unchanged team after their semi-final win over Cork.
TIPPERARY
1. Darren Gleeson (Portroe)
2. Cathal Barrett (HolycrossBallycahill)
3. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
4. Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh)
5. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh – Captain)
6. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
7. Kieran Bergin (Killenaule)
8. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)
9. James Woodlock (Drom & Inch)
10. Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)
11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha)
12. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
13. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
14. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch)
15. Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields)
And here’s the Kilkenny team, three changes from the win over Limerick last time out. Eoin Murphy, Walter Walsh and Richie Power all handed starting berths ahead of David Herity, Padraig Walsh and Mark Kelly.
KILKENNY
1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)
2. Paul Murphy (Danesfort)
3. JJ Delaney (Fenians)
4. Jackie Tyrrell (James Stephens)
5. Joey Holden (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
6. Brian Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels)
7. Cillian Buckley (Dicksboro)
8. Richie Hogan (Danesfort)
9. Conor Fogarty (Erins Own)
10. Michael Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
11. Colin Fennelly (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
12. TJ Reid (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
13. Walter Walsh (Tullogher Rosbercon)
14. Richie Power (Carrickshock)
15. Eoin Larkin (James Stephens)
Here’s the Tipperary subs:
16. Darragh Egan (Kildangan), 17. Shane Bourke (JK Brackens), 18. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields), 19. Paul Curran (Mullinahone), 20. Jason Forde (Silvermines), 21. Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone), 22. Denis Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), 23. Conor O’Brien (Eire Og Annacarty), 24. John O’Brien (Toomevara), 25. Conor O’Mahony (Newport), 26. Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons).
And here’s the Kilkenny subs:
16. David Herity (Dunnamaggin), 17. Kieran Joyce (Rower Inistioge), 18. Brian Kennedy (St Lachtain’s), 19. Padraig Walsh (Tullaroan), 20. Lester Ryan (Clara), 21. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), 22. Henry Shefflin (Ballyhale Shamrocks), 23. Aidan Fogarty (Emeralds), 24. Mark Kelly (O’Loughlin Gaels), 25. Jonjo Farrell (Thomastown), 26. John Power (Carrickshock).
The 1989 Tipperary All-Ireland winning side have just been presented to the crowd. Big cheers in particular for John Leahy and Nicky English.
The players are currently meeting President Michael D Higgins as we approach throw-in.
Key duels today? We’re thinking of Seamus Callanan v JJ Delaney and possible Colin Fennelly v Brendan Maher. How Tipperary stop Richie Hogan will also be key.
Cathal Barrett meets Eoin Larkin with a heavy hit early on to disrupt a Kilkenny attack.
Kilkenny 0-1 Tipperary 0-1
2 mins – It needs Hawkeye to judge it but Colin Fennelly has got the first point of this final. Tipperary hit back instantly through John O’Dwyer.
Kilkenny 0-2 Tipperary 0-1
3 mins – Nicely done by Eoin Larkin as he steps inside the Tipp defensive cover to point. Little space out there on the pitch for any player.
Kilkenny 0-2 Tipperary 0-2
4 mins – Bubbles O’Dwyer blasts over a monster free from distance for Tipperary to draw them level after Shane McGrath was fouled.
Tipperary 0-3 Kilkenny 0-2
7 mins – James Woodlock knifes through the heart of the Kilkenny defence and caps a surging run with a great point. He was brilliant at doing that against Cork and has started the final in the same fashion.
Tipperary 0-3 Kilkenny 0-3
8 mins – Level again. Eoin Larkin and Richie Hogan play a one-two that prises Tipperary open and it’s finished expertly by Larkin.
Huge goal chance for Kilkenny! TJ Reid set Colin Fennelly free but he tried to be too clever in playing in his brother Michael and Tipperary got back to clear.
Big hit by Conor Fogarty on Kieran Bergin and he gets booked for shouldering the Tipp player in the head.
Kilkenny 0-4 Tipperary 0-3
12 mins – TJ Reid breaks into space, thinks about going for goal but is satisfied by tapping over the point.
Tipperary 0-5 Kilkenny 0-5
12 mins – Goal chance for Tipperary but Bonner Maher overplays the hand pass and Seamus Callanan can’t grab the ball. Yet Tipperary hassle the Kilkenny defence to turn it over and Callanan hooks over a point. Then we’ve points swapped by Reid and Lar Corbett.
Both sides really close to breaking through for a goal. TJ Reid got past Darren Gleeson at one end but was blocked by James Barry and then Patrick Maher was foiled by the Kilkenny backs near Hill 16.
Tipperary 0-6 Kilkenny 0-5
16 mins – The pace is relentless here! Noel McGrath bangs over a super point but Kilkenny are aggrieved that they didn’t get a free after Eoin Larkin was upended.
Tipperary 0-7 Kilkenny 0-6
18 mins – The freetakers – TJ Reid and Seamus Callanan – swap points.
Tipperary 0-8 Kilkenny 0-6
19 mins – More encouraging play by Tipperary’s midfield as Shane McGrath surges forward and pops over a point.
Tipperary 1-8 Kilkenny 0-6
23 mins – Callanan’s penalty is not hit with much venom and Richie Hogan back on the line got down to save. But Bonner Maher is having huge joy in running at the Kilkenny defence after being fouled there by Paul Murphy. Tipperary five points ahead.
Tipperary 1-9 Kilkenny 1-7
25 mins – What a phase of action. Lar Corbett points a beauty for Tipperary and then Richie Hogan cancels that out for Kilkenny. Then the Cats get a serious boost as TJ Reid ferries the ball through to Richie Power who flicks it past the goalkeeper and taps in to an empty net.
And another big goal chance for Kilkenny but Reid is denied by great reflexes from Darren Gleeson.
Tipperary 1-10 Kilkenny 1-8
29 mins – Marvellous point by Seamus Callanan off his left for Tipperary from the Hogan Stand side.
Tipperary 1-10 Kilkenny 1-9
30 mins – Richie Hogan shows why he’s such a key candidate for Hurler of the Year as he hits a superb point for Kilkenny.
Tipperary 1-11 Kilkenny 1-9
31 mins – Fine point by Noel McGrath after a good delivery from Shane McGrath.
Tipperary 1-12 Kilkenny 1-9
32 mins – John O’Dwyer stretches Tipperary’s lead to three.
Tipperary 1-12 Kilkenny 1-11
33 mins – Back to a one point game as TJ Reid converts a pair of frees for Kilkenny.
Callanan points a late free and it’s a two-point lead for Tipperary at the break. Frantic first-half, we’ll be back shortly with the second-half action.
Here’s the first-half scorers:
Tipperary: Seamus Callanan 0-4 (0-2f), John O’Dwyer 0-3 (0-1f), Patrick Maher 1-0, Noel McGrath, Lar Corbett 0-2 each, Shane McGrath, James Woodlock 0-1 each.
Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-5 (0-3f), Richie Power 1-0, Richie Hogan, Eoin Larkin 0-2 each, Colin Fennelly, Michael Fennelly 0-1 each.
Kilkenny 2-11 Tipperary 1-14
36 mins – What a start to the second-half for Kilkenny as TJ Reid produces a magnificent finish to the net. Then Shane McGrath ties the game up once more.
Sensational start to the second-half, the scoring rates showing no sign of drying up.
Kilkenny 2-12 Tipperary 1-15
39 mins – Points traded again. Reid from a free and Noel McGrath from play.
Kilkenny 2-13 Tipperary 1-15
40 mins – Now that’s all of Kilkenny’s starting forwards on the scoresheet as Walter Walsh points from the right wing.
Lar Corbett so close to a brilliant goal! He gathered, turned the Kilkenny defence and tried to pick out the top corner but the ball smacked off the upright.
Tipperary create another goal opening, brilliant creative play by Lar but Callanan’s shot is blocked as the goal is on.
Kilkenny 2-13 Tipperary 1-16
43 mins – Draw match once more as O’Dwyer clips over his fourth point of the day for Tipperary.
Kilkenny 2-14 Tipperary 1-17
45 misn – Can’t take our eyes off this game! Richie Hogan points for Kilkenny but then a superb flowing move up the pitch by Tipperary culminates in Gearoid Ryan blazing over with a goal on.
Tipperary 1-18 Kilkenny 2-14
47 mins – O’Dwyer smacks over a long-range free for Tipperary. That’s 35 scores that we’ve had in 47 minutes. Incredible stuff.
Kilkenny 3-16 Tipperary 1-18
48 mins – Tipperary could rue those goal chances that they spurned as Kilkenny make no mistake at the other end. Richie Power gets free and finishes with aplomb and Richie Hogan follows that up with a point.
Subs: Aidan Fogarty on for Walter Walsh on the Kilkenny team while Michael Cahill replaces Gearoid Ryan for Tipperary.
Kilkenny 3-16 Tipperary 1-19
51 mins – Tidy point by Michael Cahill after excellent approach work from Shane McGrath.
Kilkenny 3-17 Tipperary 1-20
52 mins – Super scoring on both sides from Noel McGrath and Richie Hogan.
Kilkenny 3-18 Tipperary 1-21
53 mins – Neither team showing inaccuracy. Callanan and Brian Hogan trade points.
Kilkenny 3-18 Tipperary 1-22
54 mins – Brilliant leadership by Callanan as he strikes a vital point for Tipperary.
Kilkenny 3-20 Tipperary 1-22
56 mins – TJ Reid is fouled and pops over the resultant fee for Kilkenny, then Richie Hogan stretches their lead to four.
Kilkenny 3-20 Tipperary 1-23
57 mins – Fantastic save by Eoin Murphy as he tips a fierce drive by Bonner Maher over the bar.
Huge setback for Tipperary. They’ve had their chances but these misses look like they could cost them.
Kilkenny 3-21 Tipperary 1-23
61 mins – TJ Reid’s free hits the upright but Kilkenny recycle the ball and Richie Hogan points again.
Kilkenny 3-21 Tipperary 1-24
62 mins – Further Callanan brilliance as he points again. Padraig Walsh on for Kilkenny for Joey Holden.
Kilkenny 3-21 Tipperary 1-25
64 mins – Super point by Paddy Stapleton for Tipperary.
Kilkenny 3-22 Tipperary 1-27
67 mins – One in it now! O’Dwyer and Forde point for Tipperary.
I figure if Tipp. Can avoid Defeat and dont draw they could win the game , and if Kilkenny can put up a higher score than Tipp over the entire game they have a great chance of winning
Don’t forget, both teams need to give it 110% and go for the win, ‘at the end of the day’.
Look, we’re under no illusions. It’s going to be a game of two halves. Look.
Just a side note, The international lay off in the soccer, means the games on sky sports 1 which is a serious plug. Here’s hoping for a good game!
Just on that – the Irish soccer match on later on RTE2 means that the hurling match is on RTE1. For Sky customers (without Sky Sports) that means they are unable to watch in HD. Despicable decision by RTE.
Absolutely. I am watching on Sky as it is in HD. Would rather be watching RTE. Strange decision.
RTE One is HD. I’m watching it and it says “RTE One HD” up in the corner.
RTE one has been in HD for ages
Daniel – I bet u are watching on UPC or Saorview. RTE1 HD not available on Sky .
Not on the Sky platform it’s not! Unless RTE 1 HD is a different channel number to 101.
Same issue with TG4 and the rugby coverage. No HD on Sky.
Oh yeah, I’m on Saorview
Jesus lads your won on sky must have painted on her trousers this morning. Very easy on the eye is our Rachel.
Watching on sky sports 1 because no Rte1 Hd available on sky.
I think it might be on 1 as well though because there’s rte +1 which allows you to watch it again if your an avid viewer
Darren Gleeson has to go a goalie who makes himself small is not a goalie
Jesus Stephen what did he do wrong today made some great saves & could do nothing about 3 goals scored why not get off his back & support ur county do u have any idea what sacrifices these guys make ?
Hope ye get a good and fair ref…unlike the joker that ref’d the Mayo Kerry game last weekend.
To late for that
Tj Reid’s goal should have been free out, Barrett was tripped by richie power
Puke hurling by Kilkenny pulling down lads when through on goal , tipp havnt converted penalties
What about the face guard pull on the Kk lad ?
Incredible..sport doesn’t get any better than this..what extraordinary quality..thank you Kilkenny and Tipperary..
Wow wow wow. What a game
What a game. What commitment and athleticism. Surely the greatest sport in the world.
Kelly is a disgrace of a referee.
Don’t mind who wins as long as it’s a crackin game.
Another penalty saved. The odds are firmly in the defending sides favour. They need to sort out penalties for next year.
Wasn’t a penalty in the first place
This game is as tight as Rachel Wyse’s pants.
Some match!
Eggs and rashers for the Tipperary Dashers.
Hay and oats for the Kilkenny goats.
Tipp Abu!
Richie Hogan was superb.
Pulling mask is a dangerous move, ref should penalise that but didn’t. Hope there’s different ref for replay!
Both teams played really well, great match.
Pathetic display of refereeing.Knowing that he is leaving a few go that should he is making up for it with non fouls dor both sides.really frustrating.Im sure we can find a better ref than this.perhaps a junior B hurling county medalist from sligo would do the job,then youd get a pure manly game!
GAA have destroyed the penalty. should be one less man on the line now. Joke.
Have made a mess of rules from start, how hard can it be? Should be goal man only now definitely
Tipp supporters clapped Kelly off the feild around the tunnel in the cusack!
Your point being ?
Tipp by 3points.
Kk by 5
Kk by 2
KK by 1
Callanan will get a dose of the shits when he sees JJ
With SKY sports broadcasting hurling now and the deserved exposure it’s getting internationally I think it’s time hurling teams started wearing team colour helmets, maybe with the county crest on it.
I just think it looks a bit daft with 4 or 5 different colour helmets on display.
Just a personal opinion.
County teams would actually be against that because its so hard to tell who’s who. Cork wore all red a few years ago against Galway but hogie was the only one wearing blue as a go to man
I see the logic there, cheers man.
I think it’d great, like American football where the helmets are iconic and the face of that sport.
Great game. Penalty has to be looked at. Absolutely no advantage to getting one. The whole idea of getting one is that its supposed to be an advantage. Defenders know this too.
Sweet Jesus, that was unreal. Think Tipp could have missed their chance. Everyone knows you only get one go at the Cats.
I thought the Cats had their chance. Let it slip badly in the end.
C’monTipp.
Something has to be done about the penalty. Seems like the attacker get penalised
Not in hd for non saoirview customers. Shocking from rte. Sky sports it is so.
Well done Kilkenny, Only winner is Paddy Power
Great game.
The Hawkeye final
More moolah for GAA, nice touch. Unlucky Bubbles.
Best of luck to Tipperary.
North Waterford vs. Northwest Waterford.
What a game! Me nerves are gone! Hard luck Bubbles, bring on the reply! Hon Tipp!!
Bonner Maher said “like you know” 86 times in the sky sports after match interview
Anyone know a bar in Alicante city that is showing this?
No!!!!
Cheers paddy.
Find a bar with sky and ask them will they put it on for you, anyone know what the Jack Russell emblazoned on the Tipp jersey means?
Its for dogs trust. Pretty sure Skoda also sponsor them. Cats v dogs etc…
Thanks Mark.
What a game! Me nerves are gone! Hard luck Bubbles, bring on the reply! Hon Tipp!!
Happy GAA as abba say money money
C’mon Tip!!!
What fantastic match ups to look forward to, besides jj and callanan, woodlock and Richie Hogan, …
Pauric Maher v Michael fennelly is all blood n thunder…the bonnar could destroy Brian Hogan..what a game in prospect..
Both teams were brillent, paddy power the only winner, Up the Cats
Boooo
I way prefer soccer
ah boo yourself.
Boo
I way prefer soccer
Is the Ireland match on t.v might check on it every now and again
Most ridic rule to have a reply.
Poor enough quality of play so far but has the makings of an exciting game
Another two weeks of listening to this
Three!!!
I’m out of the country for one of those weeks.
Ross youre some knob jockey
With sky involved it won’t be long before we have names on the backs of jerseys – squad numbers- and county coloured helmets
Watch this space
Hello there
Will replay tickets be sold online
Look since they lost out on the Brooks concerts this was a model to go to a replay. This and/or the football final. 3rd final in a row to go to a replay. It’s getting embarrassing now. But the GAA Need the money so tough.