Tipperary minors manage to win All-Ireland hurling title, beating Kilkenny after extra time, despite two red cards
Tipperary produced a sensational performance to defeat Kilkenny in a pulsating All-Ireland Minor Hurling final in UPMC Nowlan Park.
Despite losing Cillian Minogue and Darragh O’Hora to first-half red cards, the Premier County showed huge resolve and character to claim a stunning success at the home of their opponents that also puts them at the top of the All-Ireland roll of honour with 22 titles.
Minougue saw red for a flick out on Kilkenny corner-back Bobby Brennan in the eighth minute before Darragh O’Hora was also dismissed for a high shoulder charge on Jack Dollard and under normal circumstances that would be enough to dent any team’s confidence, but this wasn’t a normal night as it turned out.
Helped by a fortunate Eoghan Doughan goal when Kilkenny stopper Jake O’Doherty dropped the ball to the net from a long-range placed ball, the visitors managed to go into the break deadlocked with the Cats at 1-5 each.
A goal from Kilkenny captain Bill McDermott and another one from Robbie Doherty should have been the launchpad for Niall Bergin’s side to forge on to victory, but backed by a huge crowd, Tipperary were resilient all the way through with Euan Murray and Cathal O’Reilly leading the charge in defence and attack.
Both teams missed chances to win the game late on, but Jake Donelan Houlihan’s score in the 55th minute proved to be the last in normal time with extra time required.
Even in the extra 20 minutes, Tipperary still refused to budge, with subs Killian Cantwell and Austin Duff getting on the scoresheet, and while an Anthony Clifford goal nudged Kilkenny in front going down the straight, it wasn’t enough to seal the deal.
An incredible individual effort from Billy O’Brien four minutes from time gave Tipperary an advantage they wouldn’t surrender in a chaotic finale as the side in blue and gold came away from Noreside with minor silverware for the second time in three years.
Scorers – Tipperary: E Doughan 1-3 (1f); B O’Brien 1-1; J Donelan Houlihan (3f), E Murray 0-4 each; A Ryan, S Tobin, C Minogue, K Cantwell, A Duff 0-1 each. Kilkenny: B McDermott 1-2; A Clifford, R Doherty 1-0 each; J Mullen (2fs), C Holohan 0-3 each; K Buggy, E Brennan, C Byrne, P Lacey 0-1 each.
Tipperary: D English; S Ryan, C O’Reilly, P Ryan; D Ryan, O O’Dwyer, J Donelan Houlihan; T Ryan, D O’Hora; A Ryan, E Murray, B O’Brien; E Doughan, S Tobin, C Minogue. Subs: A Duff for Doughan (46), A Cagney for Tobin (58), K Cantwell for Cagney (66), S Tobin for Murray (78).
Kilkenny: J O’Doherty; O Henderson, L Phelan, B Brennan; D Barcoe, J Dollard, M Rohan; R Doherty, K Buggy; J Mullen, C Holohan, E Brennan; J Cody, B McDermott, O O’Donovan. Subs: C Byrne for Cody (43), L Raggett for B.Brennan (48), P Lacey for O'Donovan (56), A Clifford for E.Brennan, (68), E Cahill for Rohan (75), O O'Donovan for Holohan (78).
Ref: T Gleeson (Dublin)
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan's exclusive take on the day's news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.