Jason Forde's score-taking masterclass inspired Tipperary to their second win in the Allianz Hurling League, beating Kilkenny 2-24 to 1-21 at UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon.
The winners threatened to over-run great rivals Kilkenny at times and although they came under a bit of pressure around the hour mark, they were full value for a victory that must have pleased new manager, Liam Cahill.
Perhaps the one down side of the Tipperary performance was the fact they ran up a hefty 19 wides. However, there was too much good about the winners general hurling and attitude that that aspect of play can be forgiven.
It told another story - Tipp were creative, very creative and inventive.
They were well on the way to victory when they ran up a commanding lead of 2-13 to 0-07 by the break, with the deadly Forde leading the way. The crowd of 10,458 must have been wondering how Kilkenny were going to get back into the match.
The home side gave a strong chase after the rest. With the help of a 57th minute goal from Martin Keoghan and two quick pointed frees from Billy Drennan, the Cats were there with a shout when the gap was back to 2-20 to 1-19 on 61 minutes.
Then up popped Forde to bag three points in a dazzling two-minute spell to take the heat off again and steer Tipp towards their second success.
Things appeared to be going against Tipperary early on when they lost midfielder Paddy Cadell and defender Cathal Barrett to injury. Moments after Barrett departed in the 11th minute, Kilkenny drew level at 0-02 each with a point from a free by Billy Drennan.
That was as good as it was to get for the Cats. Tipp simply drove on, their quick, incisive hurling, neatness of touch and speed on the counter attack had the opposition in trouble all over the park.
The lead mischief maker for Tipp was Forde, who reached half-time with 1-07 to his credit. His goal arrived in the 27th minute when a slick hand-pass from Seamus Callanan allowed him to race through a huge hole in the middle of the home defence.
Two minutes before the break Jake Morris bagged the second goal after keeper Aidan Tallis had defied Conor Bowe. Although 0-07 to 2-13 behind at the break, Kilkenny were still a bit lucky.
On top of their 15 scores, Tipperary shot 10 wides during that half.
Forde and Tipp powered on after the break, and the general quality of their play, plus a return of 26 scores must have pleased management, despite the wides tally.
SCORERS: Tipperary - J. Forde (1-15, 0-07 frees, 0-02 65s); J. Morris (1-02); N. McGrath, C. Bowe (0-02 each); A. Tynan, J. Campion, M. Kehoe (0-01 each). Kilkenny - B. Drennan (0-10, 0-07 frees, 0-01 65); M. Keoghan (1-2); J. Donnelly (0-4); P. Walsh, W. Walsh, B. Ryan, S. Walsh, C. Fogarty (0-01 each).
Kilkenny: A. Tallis; M. Butler, H. Lawlor, C. Heary; C. Buckley, P. Walsh, D. Corcoran; P. Deegan, K. Doyle; W. Walsh, B. Ryan, C. Kenny; B. Drennan, M. Keoghan, S. Walsh.
Subs: J. Donnelly for C. Kenny 23rd min; D. Blanchfield for C. Heary ht; C. Fogarty for K. Doyle ht; A. Murphy for M. Butler (39)
Tipperary: B. Hogan; C. Barrett, M. Breen, J. Ryan; E. Heffernan, P. Campion, R. Maher; P. Cadell, D. McCormack; A. Tynan, N. McGrath, J. Morris; J. Forde, S. Callanan, C. Bowe.
Subs: J. Campion for Cadell (inj) 5th min; E. Connolly for Barrett (inj) 11th min; M. Kehoe for Callanan 52nd min; B. O'Mara for P. Campion 54th min; S. Kennedy for J. Campion 60th min; S. Ryan for J. Morris 66th min.
Referee: P. Murphy (Carlow)
