Tipperary go straight into All-Ireland semi-final with long awaited win over Kilkenny

Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Championship - Round 5

Tipperary 1-15

Kilkenny 0-15

For much of the encounter between Tipp and Kilkenny, Denis Kelly’s charges seemed set for a resounding win. The home team shot the first six points, half of them coming from Eimear McGrath. Karin Blair goaled just before the interval and when Grace O’Brien slotted her third point of the half quickly after, it was 1-10 to 0-3 at half-time. 

Kilkenny resumed with six of the next seven points however, Aoife Prendergast supplied four of them and the deadly Dicksboro sharpshooter concluded with nine points.

Tipp showed plenty of grit into the elements in the closing ten minutes and points from O’Brien, McGrath and Mary Burke ensured they kept their noses in front to secure a hard-earned three-point victory and book a direct passage into an All-Ireland semi-final. 

With the advantage of a stiff breeze, Tipp played some top-class camogie in the opening 30 minutes with Rosin Howard, Eimear McGrath, Grace O’Brien, and Casey Hennessy all looking really sharp in front of goals. 

It was 15 minutes before Kilkenny had their opening score thanks to a Steffi Fitzgerald point. But Tipp continued to dominate with Julieanne Bourke and Caoimhe Maher brilliant in defence, while up front the forwards kept the scoreboard ticking over. However, they were guilty of missing some goal chances before Karin Blair finished to the net in the 28th minute after her run from midfield meant she was on hand to finish some good build-up play. 

It was a renewed Kilkenny side that emerged in the second half. Aoife Prendergast pointed a free while Kelly Ann Doyle pointed from play to begin the comeback. Eimear McGrath who scored crucial frees throughout the hour scored a free but this failed to kick start Tipperary as Kilkenny were on top throughout. 

Aoife Prendergast led the Kilkenny charge in the second half with some fantastic points from both play and frees. Another Prendergast free in the 57th minute made it 1-12 to 13 points. Credit to Denis Kelly’s side they really dug deep in the closing stages with Roisin Howard and Karen Kennedy winning some key possession. 

Mary Burke also made a huge impact off the bench winning a free which her clubmate McGrath scored as well as pointing out her own well-taken score from play. This was enough for Tipperary to hold off a very good Kilkenny side and finally, after 12 years defeat the Cats in the championship. 

Tipperary: Nicole Walsh; Julieanne Bourke, Mairead Eviston, Eimear Loughman; Caoimhe McCarthy, Caoimhe Maher, Clodagh Quirke; Karin Blair (1-0), Casey Hennessy (0-1), Roisin Howard (0-1); Karen Kennedy, Clodagh McIntyre (0-1), Eimear Heffernan; Eimear McGrath (0-7), Grace O’Brien (0-4).

Subs used: Cait Devane; Aoife McGrath; Mary Burke (0-1).

Referee: Gavin Donegan (Dublin)