Tipperary no match for All-Ireland champions Kerry in one-sided semi-final

Munster Senior Football Championship Semi-Final:

KERRY 0-25 TIPPERARY 0-05

As expected Kerry footballers overpowered Tipperary in today’s Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, running out the easiest of winners by 20 points on a full-time scoreline of 0-25 to 0-5.

It was one-way traffic from start to finish with the All-Ireland champions going through the motions and having it all their own way against a Tipperary side who tried their best but were outclassed by the home side. It was a difficult day all round with little enjoyment in it for teams or spectators, on a day when there was hardly a cheer of note heard around from an attendance of 6,939, with few Tipperary followers having made the long journey south.

Ten points up at the break, Kerry went one better in the second period adding 13 more scores, Tipperary themselves also going one better in the second period with three points, none of which were to come from open play.

Within two minutes of the re-start Sean O’Shea added a brace of frees to stretch the advantage to a dozen before Jack Kennedy replied with a free for Tipp after Steven O’Brien had his run impeded.

Kerry were beginning to find more space now and the lively Tony Brosnan pointed before Jack Kennedy had his second point for Tipp from a 45.

In total dominance Kerry added the next two with a free from David Clifford and another from the hugely impressive corner back Tom O’Sullivan who was to end his game with three points from play.

Tipperary’s final score of the game came 21 minutes from the end when Stephen Quirke sent over a mark after gathering Jack Kennedy’s punt in to the towering forward.

The last 20 minutes were hard to watch Kerry adding on seven points without reply, six from play with Tony Brosnan (3), Killian Spillane, O’Sullivan, Ruairi Murphy and a late free from Sean O’Shea.

There was little to cheer about from Tipperary but they can at least take some solace from the fact that they didn’t concede any goals and that they also managed to hold David Clifford scoreless from play for which Shane O'Connell and the full-back line deserve great credit.

So it is on to the Tailteann Cup now for Tipperary as Kerry get ready for another Munster final.

FIRST HALF

The first half was completely dominated in terms of possession by the home team and by half-time the game had been well and truly decided, with the Kingdom going in ten points to the good, leading 0-12 to 0-2.

It was a constant procession towards the Tipperary goal, the challengers defending stoutly in an effort to frustrate the All-Ireland champions and keep the scoring down.

With Tipperary to all intents and purposes parking the proverbial bus with 14 men behind the ball,  it took Kerry ten minutes to register their first score, Paudie Clifford obliging but within a minute parity was restored for the only time of the day, Kevin Fahey kicking the equaliser with the outside of the boot from 30 metres out.

The next five points all went the way of the Kerry men, patiently building time and again and taking their opportunities with scores from Paul Geaney (mark), Sean O’Shea (free), Dara Moynihan, Diarmuid O’Connor and O’Shea again with a mark.

Tipperary’s only other score of the first half came after 24 minutes when Colm O’Shaugnessy pointed well.

Player of the Year David Clifford had his first point four minutes later when putting over a free and the same player was fouled soon afterwards by a Tipperary footblock resulting in a penalty for the champions. Tipperary custodian Michael O’Reilly did superbly well to dive low to his left to deny Tony Brosnan leaving Tipperary greatly relieved at the let off.

In the concluding minutes of the opening half Kerry kicked on with three further white flags raised from Sean O’Shea, Tony Brosnan and another late mark pointed by Paul Geaney.

It was only a matter of what the winning margin would be as the sides headed for the tunnel, Kerry much the happier with all six forwards on the scoreline and with eight players contributing to the scoreboard.

Tipperary:

Michael O’Reilly (Clonmel Commercials), Shane O’Connell (Golden/Kilfeacle), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Willie Evistorn (Loughmore/Castleiney), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials 0-1), Colman Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Colm O’Shaugnessy (Ardfinnan, 0-1), Mark Russell (Aherlow), Jack Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials, 0-2, 0-1F, 0-1x45)), Emmet Moloney (Drom/Inch), Teddy Doyle (Ballina), Keith Ryan (Upperchurch/Drombane), Steven O’Brien (capt., Ballina), Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers, 0-1M), Cathal Deely (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs used: Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers) for Fahey (55 minutes); Mikey O’Shea (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone) for Doyle (57); Martin Kehoe (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone) for Eviston (62); Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers) for O’Brien 62); Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) for Quirke (65)

Full Subs list: Kuba Beban (JK Brackens), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Darragh Brennan (Ballyporeen), Conor Cadell (JK Brackens), Martin Kehoe (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone), Conal Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Donough Leahy (Arravale Rovers), Tommy Maher (Loughmore/Castleiney), Liam McGrath (Loughmore/Castleiney), Sean O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials), Mikey O’Shea (CJ Kickhams, Mullinahone).

Kerry:

Shane Ryan; Graham O’Sullivan, Jason Foley (0-1), Tom O’Sullivan (0-3); Paul Murphy, Tadgh Morley, Gavan White; Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1), Jack Barry; Dara Moynihan (0-1), Sean O’Shea (0-7, 0-4f, 0-1M), Paudie Clifford (0-1); Tony Brosnan (0-5), David Clifford (0-2F), Paul Geaney (0-2M)

Subs used: Brian Ó Beaglaíoch for Murphy, Killian Spillane (0-1) for Geaney, Barry Dan O’Sullivan for Barry (all 54 minutes); Stephen O’Brien for P. Clifford (57) and Ruairi Murphy (0-1 for Moynihan, 57)

Full Subs list: Shane Murphy, Dylan Casey, Brian O'Beaglaoich, Adrian Spillane, Barry Dan O'Sullivan, Ruari Murphy, Killian Spillane, Donal O'Sullivan, Micheál Burns, Mike Breen, Stephen O'Brien. 

Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)