Kilkenny's championship dreams end at the hands of the old enemy Tipperary

Kilkenny's dreams of an All-Ireland title ended in the cruellist of manners, as not for the first time against Kilkenny, a 14 man Tipperary prevailed after a tight affair in Croke Park.

Sunday's semi-final was the first championship meeting between the pair since Tipperary's 2019 All-Ireland title success over their near neighbours, and their first clash in the last four since 2012.

Goals were ultimately the Cats' downfall and were hit by three in the first half alone. John McGrath, Darragh McCarthy and Jason Forde netting. 

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Those sucker blows couldn't have been foreseen after the first 15 minutes, as Kilkenny cruised to a 0-9 to 1-2 lead with four different scorers on target.

However, a strong closing period to the half had Tipp 3-11 to 0-16 in front.

REACTION: Derek Lyng, Liam Cahill, Tommy Shefflin and more - Kilkenny People Sport Podcast

The second half was nip and tuck on the scoreboard at least, with both sides cancelling each other out. But, the Noresiders' dream of returning to an All-Ireland Final seemed to be well and truly on when they headed the scoreboard by the 51st minute (0-24 to 3-14). The first time they had done so since the 23rd minute.

Excitement grew even further following the dismissal of Darragh McCarthy on the 58th minute, but if anything that drove on The Premier County as a further goal from substitute Oisin O'Donoghue meant Lyng's men could never scrape the game back, consigning them to their second semi-final defeat in a row.

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Full Match Report in this week's Kilkenny People 

Kilkenny - TJ Reid (0-11); Mossy Keoghan (0-6); Jordan Molloy (0-4); Billy Ryan, Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody, Cian Kenny (0-2 each); John Donnelly (0-1)

Tipperary - Jason Forde (1-5); John McGrath (1-2), Darragh McCarthy (1-2) each; Jake Morris (0-4), Conor Stakelum, Eoghan Connolly (0-3) each; Sean O'Farrell (0-1)

Referee - James Owens (Wexford)

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