Tipperary 2-22 Kilkenny 1-13
Eamon O’Shea’s Tipperary have guaranteed progress to the quarter-finals of the Allianz Hurling League after beating old rivals Kilkenny by 12 points in Thurles.
Seamus Callanan hit 1-07 for the Premier County in front of a healthy 10,421 attendance at Semple Stadium – on a day when Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan hit 0-09 in the first half for Kilkenny.
But the depleted Cats now find themselves in a desperate fight to preserve their Division 1A status.
This defeat, coupled with Cork’s win against Galway, means that Kilkenny are now guaranteed to be in a relegation play-off, a far cry from winning the title last season.
And the history books have also revealed that this is the first time under Cody’s tenure that Kilkenny have suffered three straight competitive defeats.
Admittedly, the Noresiders are down bodies due to retirements, injuries and the absence of the Ballyhale Shamrock contingent.
But this losing streak is a run that Cody will want to arrest desperately – starting against Clare next weekend.
That Nowlan Park fixture could yet turn out to be a dress rehearsal ahead of a relegation play-off, with Clare also deep in trouble.
Goals in either half from Callanan and Niall O’Meara made it three wins on the spin for Tipp – and confirmed their place in the quarter-finals.
This was Tipp’s first victory over Kilkenny since a League success two years ago – and just their second in the last 12 League and championship outings against their ancient rivals.
Tipp had nine players on the score sheet and by half-time, the hosts were seven points clear – 1-16 to 1-09.
It was a gripping first half with the sides sharing 27 scores between them before the interval.
The scoring rate dropped substantially in the second half, as Hogan saw his 42nd-minute penalty saved on the line by Brendan Maher, and with Tipp in cruise control, the closing stages were played at almost challenge match pace.
At the start, though, there had been a championship feel to proceedings, as both sides went at it.
Kilkenny would ultimately suffer from the absence of key names but Hogan was on his game, shooting all of his side’s first-half points.
Hogan’s influence on proceedings was far less dramatic in the second half as Tipp plugged the spaces he had excelled in before half-time.
And when Callanan set up O’Meara for a 54th-minute goal, Tipp were 11 points clear, 2-18 to 1-10.
Tipp were 13 points ahead before the final whistle and won pulling up with 12 to spare in front of a triumphant home crowd.
Callanan’s fourth minute goal set Tipp on the road to victory – after Jonjo Farrell had netted after just 16 seconds for Kilkenny.
Scorers for Tipperary: S Callanan 1-07 (0-3f, 0-1 65), N O’Meara 1-02, J O’Dwyer 0-04, N McGrath 0-03, M Breen 0-02, P Maher, J Woodlock, J Forde and S Bourke 0-01 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: R Hogan 0-10 (6f), J Farrell 1-01, M Kelly and J Power (65) 0-01 each.
TIPPERARY: D Gleeson; P Curran, C O’Mahony, C Barrett; M Breen, P Maher, R Maher; K Bergin, J Woodlock; J O’Dwyer, B Maher, J Forde; N McGrath, S Callanan, N O’Meara.
Subs: C O’Brien for Curran (inj, 29), S McGrath for Forde (51), J McGrath for O’Meara (59), S Bourke for N McGrath (62), D Egan for Gleeson (inj, 65).
KILKENNY: E Murphy; S Prendergast, P Murphy, J Tyrrell; B Kennedy, K Joyce, C Buckley; M Kelly, L Ryan; W Walsh, R Hogan, M Ruth; J Farrell, J Power, G Aylward.
Subs: K Kelly for Aylward (h.t.), J Lyng for Ryan (48)
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath)
