Allianz HL D1A: Thurles tussle finishes level

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Tipperary 2-27 Kilkenny 3-24

By Stephen Barry at FBD Semple Stadium

Jordan Molloy struck the 74th-minute equaliser as Kilkenny and Tipperary warmed up for their provincial championship campaigns with an absorbing draw in front of 10,240 fans at FBD Semple Stadium.

Seanie Kenneally appeared to have arrowed over the winning point. But after an injury delay, there was time for one final play as the Cats capitalised on a Tipp mistake to level.

On his return to action, TJ Reid tallied 1-8, while Jake Morris (1-5) and free-taker Jason Forde (0-8, including two sideline cuts) led the way for Tipp, for whom John McGrath was a late withdrawal.

Kilkenny had averaged just 1-17 across their five league games to date, but they looked on track to set their highest total from the first whistle. Cian Kenny and Eoin Cody ferried the sliotar forward from the throw-in, Tom Phelan lured in the last defender, and Liam Moore flicked it to the net after just 20 seconds.

The visitors’ shooting was immaculate as Kenny, Reid, and Mossy Keoghan moved them 1-9 to 0-6 ahead.

Tipp would be back level within six minutes. A minute’s silence had been observed for Nenagh Éire Óg stalwart Jimmy Morris before the throw-in. His grandson, Tipp vice-captain Jake, hit the net in the 20th minute after Forde steered the sliotar into his path. The All-Star forward stayed inside to add a point before two from Forde, including a spectacular sideline cut, and one from Alan Tynan equalised at 1-10 apiece.

Kilkenny had notched 1-10 from 11 shots before their first miss. Tipp took their first lead on the stroke of half-time with Michael Breen’s missile followed by a Forde free for a 1-14 to 1-13 lead.

If Kilkenny had a rapid start to the first half, Tipp had an even quicker beginning to the second. Tynan led the charge from the throw-in before Darragh Stakelum’s shot was saved by Aidan Tallis. It fell straight for Darragh McCarthy to bat home with the clock showing 15 seconds.

Kilkenny pulled back three points in a row. Tipp strung together the next four. They nearly added a goal, but Tallis saved from Eoghan Connolly and Morris, while Darragh Corcoran blocked Seán Kenneally’s rebound.

Trailing by five, Kilkenny reeled off 1-4 without reply. Reid contributed the first 1-2, lobbing the advancing Rhys Shelly for the 52nd-minute goal.

Tallis saved brilliantly from McCarthy at the other end before a Connolly brace levelled at 2-21 apiece. From the puck-out, Keoghan’s sensational control from an Eoin Cody pass allowed him to fire to the net.

Forde’s second sideline cut trimmed the deficit. Reid flicked a goal chance just over. Connolly and Forde frees levelled. Morris and Ed McDermott traded points to begin the two added minutes, and it was still all square by the finish.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jake Morris 1-5; Jason Forde 0-8 (5f, 2s/l); Eoghan Connolly 0-5 (2 65s, 1f); Darragh McCarthy 1-1; Sam O’Farrell, Seán Kenneally 0-2 each; Michael Breen, Oisín O’Donoghue, Conor Martin, Alan Tynan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 1-8 (3fs, 1 65); Mossy Keoghan, Liam Moore 1-2 each; Cian Kenny 0-3 (2fs); John Donnelly, Ed McDermott 0-2 each; Richie Reid, Killian Doyle, Eoin Cody, Luke Hogan, Jordan Molloy 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly; Brian McGrath, Ronan Maher, Michael Breen; Oisín O’Donoghue, Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly; Conor Martin, Darragh Stakelum; Jake Morris, Alan Tynan, Sam O’Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, Gearóid O’Connor, Jason Forde.

Subs: Seán Kenneally for O'Connor (h-t), Johnny Ryan for McGrath (h-t), Noel McGrath for Stakelum (54), Andrew Ormond for Martin (57), Peter McGarry for Forde (69), Joe Caesar for McCarthy (70, temp).

Kilkenny: Aidan Tallis; Paddy Deegan, Rory Garrett, Ivan Bolger; Darragh Corcoran, Jordan Molloy, Richie Reid; Cian Kenny, Killian Doyle; Tom Phelan, Eoin Cody, John Donnelly; Mossy Keoghan, TJ Reid, Liam Moore.

Subs: Luke Hogan for Phelan (19-h-t, temp), David Blanchfield for Bolger (30, inj), Ed McDermott for Phelan (h-t), Cathal Beirne for Doyle (59), Rory Glynn for Cody (70+4), Shane Murphy for Corcoran (70+4, temp).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).