Seymour shines as Tipp sweep the Cats aside

GAA: Senior Hurling Challenge in support of Mary’s Meals

Tipperary 2-20

Kilkenny 2-11

Report: Noel Dundon in Templetuohy

Twelve hours shy of the shortest day of the year and the inclement weather didn’t deter die-hard supporters of the Tipperary and Kilkenny senior hurling teams from descending on Templetuohy last Saturday for a pre-Christmas challenge which proved useful despite the horrible conditions.

This fundraiser for the Mary’s Meals charity will hardly be referenced by either side at the end of the season when it comes to assessing their respective campaigns, but it did afford a few players the opportunity to impress managements – and a few did.

Though the visitors were down to fourteen men after just twelve minutes when their early goal-scorer James Walsh received his marching orders having collided high with Tipp full-back Ray McCormack, who was forced off, for long periods it didn’t seem as though the Cats had a numerical disadvantage. However, when Tipp got the wind at their backs in the second half, they made the most of the disparity and rolled the scoreboard to claim a nine-point victory.

Both sides were very much in experimental mode and with Kilkenny hurling with the breeze behind them in the first half, they raced into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead – the goal coming from the aforementioned Walsh in the ninth minute, with Michael Brennan and Luke Connellan also pointing.

Tipp had missed a number of chances and a Paddy Creedon goal effort was beaten away by Aidan Tallis in the Cats goal before they eventually began to find their range. Billy Seymour had the opener with Jack Leamy (2), Seymour again and Joe Fogarty all pointing to keep Tipp in touch.

Kilkenny worked really hard in the half and scores from Ed McDermott, Michael Brennan (2) and David Barcoe kept them in front as the half time break loomed. A Marty Murphy goal in the 30th minute was a real boost to Kilkenny after a puck-out went astray and they followed up with a Brennan pointed free to take a 2-7 to 0-8 lead to the dressing room at the interval – Jack Leamy and Josh Keller getting late Tipp scores, while Tallis again saved well from Joe Fogarty to maintain the integrity of the Kilkenny net.

The difficulty of the conditions cannot be over emphasised. Wind and rain throughout, heavy, slippery, and cutting-up underfoot made life really hard for the players – it was a far cry from championship fare, even if the application and intent levels were close to the expected early-summer pitch.

Tipp had struck eight wides in that first half – one more than Kilkenny – but with the wind to aid them, smart money was on a Premier victory. And, both sides made multiple changes at the break and throughout the second half to give players a run-out.

Sub Charlie Ryan had Tipp’s opener and he had an impressive outing in attack – he notched a second in the 41st minute and set up a few more as well, while Billy Seymour hit two frees, to go along with a Kevin McCarthy point to tie up the match by the 42nd minute – Michael Brennan getting Kilkenny’s score in the 34th minute from a placed ball.

No sooner was the game tied up than Killian Doyle restored Kilkenny’s lead. However, as he did in the All-Ireland semi-final when last these teams met, Oisin O’Donoghue came off the bench and with his first touch fired to the back of the Kilkenny net to send Tipp back in front.

From then onwards it was all Tipperary – Josh Keller, Adam Daly and O’Donoghue adding further scores, while Paddy Creedon bagged a 53rd minute goal having been fed by the impressive Charlie Ryan. Further scores from Adam Hall (2) and Creedon saw out the Tipperary victory, while subs Gearoid Dunne and Jeff Neary had Kilkenny points before the final whistle.

Tipperary actually finished with fourteen men too – Conor Stakelum picking up an injury late on, was being treated on the sideline when the final whistle sounded.

While these games are difficult to quantify in terms of value, this match certainly created a few bullet points for Tipp.

Billy Seymour impressed, as did Charlie Ryan when he came on. Joe Caesar had a fine game at centre back while Alan Tynan at wing back was also very strong in possession. Josh Keller did a lot of hurling while Joe Fogarty worked really hard.

Adam Hall snapped over two points when introduced while Oisin O’Donoghue proved that his characteristic cameo role has not been discarded either.

A useful outing then, in front of a decent attendance considering the day that was in it, and a few bob raised for Mary’s Meals.

Next up is the start of the competitive stuff and the Munster League opener against Waterford at Clonmel Sportsfield on Saturday, 3rd January.

TEAMS - Tipperary: Brian Hogan (Lorrha 7); Michael Breen (Ballina 8), Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh NR), Adam Ryan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams 7); Alan Tynan (Roscrea 8), Joe Caesar (Holycross/Ballycahill 8), Darragh Tynan (Roscrea 6); Joe Egan (Moycarkey/Borris 6), Josh Keller (Nenagh Eire Og 7); Joe Fogarty (Moneygall 7), Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara 6), Peter McGarry (St Mary’s 6); Jack Leamy (Golden Kilfeacle 6), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Billy Seymour (Kiladangan 8).

Subs used: Mason Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og 7); Charlie Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla 8), Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields 7), Brian Og Dwyer (Boherlahan-Dualla 6), Adam Hall (Toomevara 7), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs 8).

Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis (8), Sean Moore (7), Ray Garrett (78), Conor McMahon (6), David Barcoe (7), Darragh Corcoran (7), Paddy Langton (6), Killian Doyle (7), Cathal Beirne (6), Luke Connellan (7), Michael Brennan (7), Ed McDermott (6), James Walsh (7), Marty Murphy (6), Cillian Hackett (6).

Subs used: Shane Staunton (6), Jeff Neary (7), Brian Staunton (6), Gearoid Dunne (6), Diarmuid Galway (6), Adam Croke (6), Billy Reid (6), Timmy Kelly (NR), Joe Healy (NR).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).