Last gasp Kilkenny goal leaves Tipp feeling Blue

GAA: Electric Ireland Celtic Challenge Ireland Division 1 Final

Kilkenny 2-13

Tipperary Blue 2-12

Report: Liam Hogan at NGDC, Abbottstown

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Aaron McCormack (Kilkenny)

SCORERS – Kilkenny: Adam Fitzpatrick (2 frees), Sam Mansfield 0-3 each; Liam O’Brien, James Ryan (free) 1-0 each; Oisin Roche 0-2; Aaron McCormack, Glen O’Sullivan, Kyril Mtinsi, Charlie Ryan, Jack Delaney 0-1 each.

Tipperary Blue: Morgan O’Connor 2-6 (1-0 pen, 0-5 frees); Charlie Lawlor 0-2; Noah Power, Kevin Grace, Daniel McDonnell, Eoin Kennedy 0-1 each.

Tipperary v Kilkenny encounters usually provide drama and last Saturday’s Celtic Challenge (U17) Division 1 Hurling Final was no different.

It was the 66th minute and Tipperary had their hand firmly on the Hogan Cup but a close range free by Kilkenny captain James Ryan dribbled over the line and the Marble County were champions over Tipp for the second year in a row.

Some Tipperary players suggested that the ball hadn’t crossed the line but the officials stood firm. Seconds earlier Tipp looked very much the winners. They had fought back in the last fifteen minutes when turning a six point deficit into a two point advantage with a degree of nerve and no little skill.

That fightback really brought the game into life. Tipp never gave up but the neutral would suggest that on the balance of play, Kilkenny were slightly the better team with ten of their players making the scoresheet, and very few would disagree with them. Tipperary had six, including Morgan O’Sullivan who was the game’s top-scorer with 2-6, 1-1 from play.

It was a game where both sets of defenders worked tirelessly with Charlie Cairns, Luke Murphy and Owen Fanning deserving special mention while Kilkenny supporters would rightfully point to the great display by midfielder Aaron McCormack well supported by half backs Enda Cunningham and James Ryan.

Tipperary entered the final very much the underdog as the earlier round robin clash saw the Cats win by a thirteen point margin.

The game began with a flourish with Kilkenny forcing the play and registering two wides with goalkeeper Cathal Ryan the busier before Tipp’s Noah Power had the umpires in action at the other end inside two minutes.

Kilkenny meant business and quick points by Aaron McCormack and Glen O’Sullivan had them in front by the sixth minute before Morgan O’Sullivan levelled with a free.

With both defences settling down, it meant scores were hard to come but frees by Adam Fitzpatrick had Kilkenny ahead by double scores after sixteen minutes. Tipp hit back with a response through Kevin Grace a minute later.

Helped by the good work of their half backline of Enda Cunningham, James Ryan, and James Moore plus the busy Aaron McCormack at midfield, Kilkenny made better use of possession and in the next six minutes hit four unanswered points through Sam Mansfield (2) and one each from Oisin Roche and their all action corner back Kyril Mtinsi in the 24th minute.

Tipp had registered seven wides by then, and Morgan O’Connor’s radar from frees was slightly off but he made amends with a free in added time before the teams went into the dressing rooms with Kilkenny 0-8 to 0-4 in front.

Daniel McDonnell replaced Michael Heffernan at half time as Tipp had an extended stay in the dressing rooms. They didn’t waste time on their return as Charlie Lawlor registered a point 49 seconds into the half. Kilkenny midfielder Charlie Ryan replied from play before Morgan O’Connor pointed a free in the 33rd minute.

One minute later, Tipp were dealt a real blow when Liam O’Brien found the back of the net. The game was coming to life and Tipp had the energy for more as Kevin Grace was fouled close to goal in the 36th minute. The outstretched hands of referee Kevin Brady signalled a penalty and Morgan O’Connor’s strike was low and accurate, 1-9 to 1-6.

Kilkenny responded with three unanswered points in the next six minutes with Adam Fitzpatrick, Sam Mansfield, and Oisin Roche on target. Tipp responded with O’Connor bisecting the posts from a placed ball only to see Jack Delaney move Kilkenny six clear in the 46th minute, 1-13 to 1-7.

Both camps began to use the subs bench and the process meant six minutes went by without a score. Suddenly the game changed very much in Tipp’s favour as quick points by O’Connor and Charlie Lawlor had the deficit reduced.

As play continued, another O’Connor move saw the wing forward weave past the Kilkenny defence before he had the net shaking in the 55th minute. It was game on and two minutes later he had the team’s level with a free.

Tipp were now on top and Daniel McDonnell’s score put them in front before Eoin Kennedy increased the lead to two on the hour mark.

All the momentum was with Tipp but Kilkenny had one last attack with James Ryan stepping over a free from outside the twenty-metre line which managed to find its way over the line as Tipp’s brave battle come up just short.

TEAMS - Kilkenny: Jack Donnelly; Kyril Mtinsi, Fionn Murphy, Hugh Power; Enda Cunningham, James Ryan (Capt), James Moore; Charlie Ryan, Aaron McCormack; Sam Mansfield, Oisin Roche, Glen O’Sullivan; Liam O’Brien, Jack Delaney, Adam Fitzpatrick.

Subs: Conor McCormack for O’Sullivan (44); James Cass for Mansfield (54); Rory Rhatigan for McCormack (57).

Tipperary: Cathal Ryan (Loughmore/Castleiney); Ruairi Hackett (Kiladangan), Jack R Walsh (Carrick Swan), Aaron Lane (Newport); Charlie Cairns (Burgess), Jack Murphy (Roscrea), Owen Fanning (Killenaule); Stephen O’Brien (Newport, Capt), James Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Og); Morgan O’Connor (Cappawhite), Eoin Kennedy (Boherlahan-Dualla), Alan Burke (Shannon Rovers); Charlie Lawlor (Durlas Og), Kevin Grace (Ballinahinch), Noah Power (Carrick Swan).

Subs: Daniel McDonnell (Loughmore/Castleiney) for Heffernan (HT); Conor Doherty (Moycarkey/Borris) for Burke (44); Shane O’Mahony (Ballylooby/Castlegrace) for Power (47); Dara Beckett (St. Mary’s) for Grace (60); Charlie Carroll (Roscrea) for Lane (60+1).

Referee: Kevin Brady (Dublin).