Kilkenny 0-30 (30 pts) – Tipperary 4-21 (33 pts).
Confusion reigned for a time over today’s final score following Tipperary’s All-Ireland semi-final victory over Kilkenny. The scoreboard in Croke Park together with the tally shown on RTÉ, showed Tipperary victorious by 4-21 to 0-30. However, that Tipperary tally appeared to include a late Noal McGrath point that was waved wide by the umpires. Happily, Noel McGrath’s late point has since been confirmed as a score to give that final result of Tipperary 4-21 (33 pts) Kilkenny 0-30 (30 pts).
Regardless, with a man short, Tipperary successfully edged from behind to take the lead ahead of their old rivals and neighbours Kilkenny, thus setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Munster rivals Cork.
It was Oisín O’Donoghue (substitute) who scored that winning goal in the 69th minute, following the departure of Darragh McCarthy having been “Red Carded”.
It was another Tipperary hero, Robert Doyle, who succeeded in making that crucial goal-line save, thus confirming Tipperary’s first All-Ireland final, since beating Kilkenny in 2019; latter event which marked Tipperary’s most recent appearance at Croke Park, prior to today’s well deserved victory.
Kilkenny appeared to be fully on top, early on in today’s “clash of the ash”, scoring the first eight points in the game, however, Tipperary’s first goal would arrive courtesy of John McGrath, before being joined by his full-forward colleagues Darragh McCarthy and Jason Forde, latter who also found the netting, granting the Premier County a 3-11 (20 pts) to 0-16 (16 pts) lead, by half time.
The second half saw Kilkenny drew level by the 48th minute, thanks to the accuracy of TJ Reid greatly aided by Martin Keoghan.
Then, with just 12 minutes remaining Darragh McCarthy, following a loose slap on Eoin Murphy hand, left the field having been shown a Red Card (his second yellow card), with Tipperary then one point down. While Tipperary spectators hearts sank, 14 Tipperary stalwart players dug in deep to level again, with aforementioned O’Donoghue managing to once again rifle into Kilkenny’s net.
In two week’s time, Tipperary will return to Croke Park, (July 20th), to do battle against Munster champions Cork, for their chance to win their first All-Ireland title since 2019.
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