Tipp rally strongly but Cats have final say in Thurles thriller.
Tipperary and Kilkenny produced a high-quality Allianz Hurling League Division 1A draw at FBD Semple Stadium, tonight, with Jordan Molloy landing a dramatic late equaliser to leave the sides deadlocked at 2-27 (33pts) to 3-24 (33pts) in front of over 10,000 supporters.
Kilkenny’s TJ Reid marked his return with 1-8, while Jake Morris hit 1-5 (8pts) and Jason Forde added 0-8 for Tipperary, including two outstanding sideline cuts.
Kilkenny made an explosive start and struck for goal inside 20 seconds when Liam Moore finished off a sharp move, involving Cian Kenny, Eoin Cody and Tom Phelan. Kilkenny quickly built momentum and opened up an early six-point cushion as Kenny, Reid and Mossy Keoghan found their range.
Tipperary responded impressively and worked their way back into the contest through a blend of sharp finishing and composed free-taking. Morris found the net in the 20th minute after being picked out by Forde, and the home side drew level before edging ahead by half-time, with Michael Breen and Forde helping to nudge them into a 1-14 (17pts) to 1-13 (16 pts) interval lead.
The Premier County carried that momentum into the restart and struck again almost immediately, with Darragh McCarthy batting home after Aidan Tallis had made the initial save. Tipp looked in control when they pushed five clear, but Kilkenny responded with determination. Reid’s 52nd-minute goal reignited the visitors, and Keoghan later showed brilliant control before firing another major to swing the game again.
A tense closing spell followed, with both teams trading scores in a gripping finish. Seán Kenneally looked to have won it for Tipperary, only for an injury delay to allow one final Kilkenny attack. The visitors seized that opportunity, and Molloy’s late point ensured the spoils were shared after a lively and absorbing championship warm-up in Thurles.
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 Gearóid O’Connor, Johnny Ryan for Brian McGrath, Noel McGrath for Darragh Stakelum, Andrew Ormond for Conor Martin, Peter McGarry for Jason Forde, and Joe Caesar for Darragh McCarthy.
Referee: James Owens (Wexford).
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