Tipperary Minor Hurling Manager Tommy Dunne at Croke Park on Sunday. Photograph: Bridget Delaney

First half performance proved costly to Tipp's chances

Fierce disappointed but very proud,” was how Tipperary manager Tommy Dunne reflected on his sides defeat to Kilkenny in Sunday's All Ireland minor hurling semi-final.

The Munster champions struggled to develop a rhythm throughout and despite being outplayed for much of the contest, pushed Kilkenny to the final whistle with a late second half revival.

The first half was costly with only four points on the board and not playing well,” Dunne reflected.

It was a bit of a road back but I was very proud of the way we fought in the second half against a Kilkenny team that are formidable, physical and are improving again.

We still found a way to get back into the game but we had to draw a man deep to give us a bit of parity in the middle of the field, and we didn't have the same threat up front that we normally have, even though we were still a threat in the second half and got in for two goals.

I thought if we played to our potential today we would have had enough in the tank to win it.

Overall we had a great year with this group and I am tremendously proud of them.”

 

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