Heroic Tipperary stun the Cats in Croke Park thriller to reach All-Ireland Final!

Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 0-30 

A fifth successive victory propelled 14-man Tipperary into the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final, after they beat Kilkenny in today’s epic semi-final at Croke Park.

Tipperary had heroes all over the field and they ran themselves to a standstill to defeat their ancient rivals in a thrilling contest.

READ NEXT: Oisín O'Donoghue goal turns the tide in Tipperary's favour

In the final on this day fortnight, July 20, they will face Munster neighbours Cork for the first time at this stage of the championship.

SEE MORE: Tipperary fans showed up in force at Croke Park

Tipperary, back on the big stage for the first time in six years, as they contested their first All-Ireland senior semi-final since 2019, had to dig deep to chisel out a remarkable victory against the odds, in a game of swaying fortunes.

In this latest instalment of the long-running rivalry between these powerhouses of the game, they looked a beaten docket when Darragh McCarthy was sent off in the 58th minute at a stage when Kilkenny were ahead by a point, 0-26 to 3-16.

However, Tipperary simply refused to contemplate the prospect of defeat in the remaining 16 minutes, including additional time. After the sides had been level for the sixth time in the second half, substitute Oisín O’Donoghue struck a spectacular shot into the top corner of the Kilkenny net in the 69th minute to give Tipperary breathing space once again.

Try as hard as they did, Kilkenny couldn’t find a route back into contention, despite a late point from Jordan Molloy.

Tipp goalie Rhys Shelly saved a weakly-struck effort by Eoin Cody. Noel McGrath won a spirit-raising free out near the Cusack Stand sideline. Robert Doyle blocked a shot on the line. The final whistle followed shortly afterwards, bringing a conclusion to a breathless contest. Ecstasy for Tipperary and their followers.

Jason Forde, who took over the freetaking duties from Darragh McCarthy even before his dismissal, won the man of the match award. There were outstanding performances in every line from Tipperary, including Eoghan Connolly, Bryan O’Mara, Conor Stakelum, Craig Morgan, Jake Morris and John McGrath. And of course Oisín O’Donoghue, the Cashel player scoring a crucial goal for the second game running.  

Tipperary supporters were in the majority of the attendance of 60,738 and they saw their team make a hesitant, uncertain start that saw them trail by five points after 17 minutes, 0-10 to 1-2, when TJ Reid converted a free.

A superb catch  by Huw Lalor in the lead-up to Billy Ryan’s point in the 13th minute summed up Kilkenny’s dominance at that stage.

However, Tipp recovered sufficiently to lead by four points at half-time, 3-11 to 0-16. After Reid’s point in the 17th minute, Eoghan Connolly drove a point from distance, the first of his three points from play in the opening half.

Then a scuffed line ball from Jason Forde was snapped up by Jake Morris and he shot another point, before Eoin Cody replied for Kilkenny.

John McGrath’s eighth minute goal, when he walloped a shot to the net after Jake Morris’ shot rebounded in his direction, only papered over the cracks of a sub-standard opening phase by the Premier County team.  

But their second goal, which arrived in the 21st minute when Darragh McCarthy’s shot had enough power to carry it over the line, despite Kilkenny goalie Eoin Murphy getting his hurley to the ball, offered firm evidence of Tipp’s recovery.

John McGrath’s point put them ahead for the first time in the 23rd minute, before the comeback went into overdrive two minutes later when Darragh McCarthy’s handpass was deftly flicked over the head of Eoin Murphy by Jason Forde for their third goal (3-6 to 0-11).

Tipp were playing with a real verve and confidence and the half-time advantage of four points was no more than they deserved.

It was a sign of things to come in that rip roaring second half. 

Tipperary: Rhys Shelly, Robert Doyle, Eoghan Connolly (0-3), Michael Breen, Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher (captain), Bryan O’Mara, Willie Connors, Conor Stakelum (0-3), Jake Morris (0-4), Andrew Ormond, Sam O’Farrell (0-1), Darragh McCarthy (1-2, 0-2 frees), John McGrath (1-2), Jason Forde (1-5, 0-4 frees).  

Subs: Noel McGrath for John McGrath (50 minutes), Alan Tynan for Sam O’Farrell (53 minutes), Darragh Stakelum for Willie Connors (57 minutes), Oisín O’Donoghue (1-0) for Conor Stakelum (63 minutes), Sean Kenneally for Andrew Ormond (71 minutes). 

Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy, Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Shane Murphy, Mikey Carey, Richie Reid, Paddy Deegan, Cian Kenny (0-2), Jordan Molloy (0-4), Adrian Mullen (0-2), John Donnelly (captain 0-1)), Billy Ryan (0-2), Martin Keoghan (0-6), TJ Reid (0-11, 8 frees, 1'65), Eoin Cody (0-2)

Subs: David Blanchfield for Shane Murphy (half-time), Stephen Donnelly for Adrian Mullen (66 minutes), Killian Doyle for Cian Kenny (70 minutes).

Referee: James Owens (Wexford).