Blue beats Gold after Tipp Celtic Challenge team face off in Division 1 semi-final

Celtic Challenge Michael Hogan Division 1 Semi-Final

Tipperary Blue 4-20

Tipperary Gold 3-15

By Liam Hogan

Three second-half goals in the middle third of the second half saw Tipperary Blue score an impressive win over their County counterparts in a highly entertaining semi-final played at Golden last Saturday at noon.

It was a cracking game and both teams received a deserved ovation at the end of the contest and the winner will take on Kilkenny in the final. The Cats overcame East Cork in the other semi-final.

Both sets of forwards were on fire as the hurling was played at a fast pace in the opening quarter. Tipp Blue took a 0-3 to 0-2 lead when Ballingarry’s Tommy McGrath had the ball in the net to give Tipp Gold a 1-2 to 0-3 lead after five minutes.

The lead lasted just eight minutes before Jack Marnell had the Blues in front 1-6 to 1-4. Marnell was a constant worthwhile target man for Tipp Blue with the JK Brackens man emerging with the game's top score of 2-6.

Marnell scored a super point from out in the wing to increase his side’s lead to three after 21 minutes. But the game was end to end and Tipp Gold, led by full forward Darragh Dunne (Carrick Swan) and Larry Collins (Sean Treacys) on the left wing were back level by the 23rd minute when Oisin Power (Ballyporeen) had the ball in the net 1-9 to 2-6.

Two minutes later, Tipp Gold were through on goal but Blue’s keeper Cillian Franks (Shannon Rovers) saved and with both sides swapping points the sides were level for the third time in eight minutes at 1-11 to 2-8 as the players took a well-earned rest in their dressing rooms.

Blue’s midfielder Cian Broderick cut a repeated path with two early points but Tipp Gold were back level by the 35th minute 1-13 to 2-10.

Then came the decisive moments as a goal by Jack Marnell set off the first of three second-half goals in fifteen minutes with James Butler (Sean Treacys) raising two more green flags in the 40th and 50th minute mark.

The Blues' lead might have been much greater but for several fine saves produced by Tipp Gold netminder Darragh Hayes of Toomevara.

Tipp Blue's fourth goal gave the side a commanding 4-16 to 2-12 lead but Tipperary Gold never gave up and were rewarded with a second Oisin Power goal in the 55th minute but the game was over as a contest by then.

Referee: Tom Loughnane (Gortnahoe Glengoole)