All-Ireland SHC: Tipperary win thriller

All-Ireland SHC Semi-Final

Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 0-30

By Cian O'Connell at Croke Park

On a goal laden weekend at GAA headquarters, substitute Oisín O'Donoghue made the Kilkenny net dance in the closing stages to steer Tipperary through to the All-Ireland SHC Final.

It was a battle from start to finish, but Tipperary did enough to survive. Now, a decider against Cork beckons in a fortnight. Another thriller imminent.

On this occasion, the match was chiefly about Tipperary's defiance. That has been a theme of a stirring campaign under Liam Cahill following the pain endured in 2024.

Initially, Tipp had to deal with a blistering Kilkenny start. Eight of the first nine scores were supplied by Derek Lyng's outfit, but John McGrath's eighth minute goal carried significant weight.

Nonetheless, Tipp trailed by 0-8 to 1-0 after 15 minutes with TJ Reid, Martin Keoghan, and Billy Ryan dashing in attack. At centrefield Jordan Molloy craved involvement and Tipp appeared to be in real bother.

By the 21st minute Kilkenny's advantage was 0-11 to 1-4 following a sweet Keoghan point. Then, Tipp enjoyed a productive burst, clipping 2-2 without reply.

Ultimately, it was a vital spell. Darragh McCarthy netted a goal, the influential Jake Morris added a point following a sharp Eoin Murphy save.

Sam O'Farrell crafted an opening for John McGrath to thump a point. McCarthy supplied the assist for a brilliant 25th minute Jason Forde major.

Suddenly, Tipp were 3-6 to 0-11 to the good. From then until the interval it was hard fought, intense, and competitive with Tipperary departing 3-11 to 0-16 in front at the turnaround.

Unsurprisingly, Kilkenny were gritty after the restart. In the third quarter, Kilkenny struck eight of the first 11 points to edge 0-24 to 3-14 ahead.

In that Kilkenny burst TJ Reid was relevant and sharp, while Cian Kenny and Eoin Cody contributed points.

Jason Forde assumed free-taking duties for Tipperary and his 54th minute effort restored parity.

The drama continued to unfold. Reid and Forde traded frees before the splendid Keoghan nudged over a beauty for Kilkenny.

McCarthy was sent off for a second yellow card offence, following a foul on Kilkenny custodian Eoin Murphy in the 58th minute. A man and a point down, Tipperary persevered. Morris levelled.

Keoghan and Kenny replied for Kilkenny, who were 0-28 to 3-17 clear. Forde converted two pressure frees and then landed a remarkable point from play.

It was delicately poised with Keoghan equalising once more. The decisive moment arrived courtesy of O'Donoghue's gorgeous goal.

Kilkenny needed a goal with Eoin Cody thwarted by Rhys Shelly and John Donnelly by a Robert Doyle block. Tipperary prevailed following an absorbing tussle.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-5 (4fs), John McGrath and Darragh McCarthy (2fs) 1-2 each, Jake Morris 0-4, Oisín O'Donoghue 1-0, Eoghan Connolly and Conor Stakelum 0-3 each, Sam O'Farrell 0-1.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-11 (8fs, 1 65), Martin Keoghan 0-6, Jordan Molloy 0-4, Cian Kenny, Adrian Mullen, Billy Ryan, and Eoin Cody 0-2 each, John Donnelly 0-1.

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Michael Breen, Ronan Maher, Robert Doyle; Bryan O'Mara, Eoghan Connolly, Craig Morgan; Willie Connors, Conor Stakelum; Jake Morris, Andrew Ormond, Sam O'Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, Jason Forde.

Subs: Alan Tynan for Ormond (28-31 mins), Noel McGrath for J McGrath (50), Alan Tynan for O'Farrell (53), Darragh Stakelum for Connors (57), Oisín O'Donoghue for C Stakelum (63), Seán Kenneally for Ormond (70+1).

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Shane Murphy; Mikey Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan; Cian Kenny, Jordan Molloy; Adrian Mullen, John Donnelly, Billy Ryan; Martin Keoghan, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: David Blanchfield for S Murphy (HT), Stephen Donnelly for Mullen (66), Killian Doyle for Kenny (70).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).