Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final

KILKENNY 1-15 TIPPERARY 2-10

By Cian O’Connell at Croke Park

Despite a brave Tipperary rally, Kilkenny just had enough attacking craft to secure an Electric Ireland Minor Final berth against Galway.

Tipperary, prompted by substitute Mikey O’Shea, who announced his arrival into the game with a brace of goals caused Kilkenny some bother in the closing stages, but the Cats survived.

That was chiefly due to Jack Morrissey’s industry up front with the promising St Patrick’s clubman rifling over five points from play.

Kilkenny dictated the majority of the opening period, but struggled to convert their supremacy into scores until the interval approached.

When the half-time whistle sounded Richie Mulrooney’s team led by 1-7 to 0-4 as Ciaran Brennan’s opportunistic major proved to be a fine score.

That arrived following three Kilkenny points from Brennan, Dan Coogan, and Cathal O’Leary – a flurry which edged Kilkenny 0-7 to 0-4 clear.

Brennan’s sharp intervention ensured the Cats were relatively satisfied having restricted Tipperary to seven scoring chances before the break.

Kilkenny, though, only managed to register 1-7 from 18 attempts, but there were flickers of class from Jack Morrissey and Jack Buggy.

After the restart Kilkenny nailed three of the first five points, but then Tipperary enjoyed a productive burst inspired by substitute Mikey O’Shea.

The Mullinahone clubman stitched a sweet 43rd minute goal into the roof of the Kilkenny net, adding a point and another white flag was raised by fellow replacement Jack Morrissey.

Suddenly the gap was trimmed to two, but Kilkenny responded courtesy of a Conor Kelly free to lead 1-11 to 1-8 with 12 minutes remaining.

The lead was extended to five following Killian Hogan and Morrissey points, but an O’Shea goal brought Tipperary back into contention.

Kilkenny, though, were able to find the answers with Morrissey a potent threat in attack landing two critical points and Tipperary were outfoxed.

Scorers for Kilkenny: Jack Morrissey 0-5, Ciaran Brennan 1-2, Jack Buggy 0-3 (1f), Conor Kelly 0-2 (2fs), Cathal O’Leary, Killian Hogan, and Dan Coogan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary: Mikey O’Shea 2-1, Devon Ryan 0-3 (1f), Conor Whelan 0-2 (2fs), Sean Hayes, Jack Morrissey, Jack Lanigan, Jack Morrissey, and James Devaney (f) 0-1 each.

KILKENNY: Jason Brennan; Padraig Dempsey, Jamie Young, Dylan Crehan; Darragh Maher, Shane Staunton, Jamie Harkin; Conor Kelly, Cian Kenny; Jack Morrissey, Jack Buggy, George Murphy; Cathal O’Leary, Dan Coogan, Jack Morrissey.

Subs: Killian Hogan for O’Leary (41), Padraic Moylan for Coogan (48), Eoin Guilfoyle for Moylan (51)

TIPPERARY: Aaron Browne; Conor O’Dwyer, Conor Whelan, Kevin Hayes; Johnny Ryan, Sean Phelan, Frank Hanafin; Max Hackett, John Campion; Cian O’Farrell, Ryan Renehan, Kian O’Kelly; Devon Ryan, Sean Hayes, James Devaney.

Subs: Jack Morrissey for Hackett (25), Mikey O’Shea for Renehan (29), Kevin Maher for Campion (46), Jack Lanigan for Devaney (48).

REFEREE: Rory McGann (Clare).