Kilkenny and Tipp take top league billing

A big crowd is expected in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon as traditional rivals Kilkenny and Tipperary meet in the Allianz National Hurling League.

The two teams got off to winning starts against Antrim and Laois last weekend but this local derby will give us a better indication as to where both stand at this early stage in the season.

Kilkenny were given a stiff test in Belfast last Saturday where an opening half Billy Drennan goal helped Derek Lyng’s men claim a six point success while in contrast Tipperary were never threatened in a bit of a non-event against Laois as goals from Jake Morris and Seamus Kennedy, as well as 11 points from Gearoid O’Connor, saw them run out 2-32 to 0-18 winners over Willie Maher’s Midlanders.

Both Lyng and new Tipperary boss Liam Cahill experimented with personnel last week and it’s expected to be more of the same on Sunday.

The sides met in this corresponding fixture in 2022 with Tipperary coming out on top in a rather dour affair in Semple Stadium.
That was the first meeting between the sides since the Premier County’s All-Ireland final victory in 2019 and Kilkenny’s last victory against Tipp arrived in the league earlier that spring.

For those who can’t make the game, it will be available to watch live on TG4 where there is a 1.30pm throw-in.

It will be the first of two clashes in as many weeks between the sides as they will meet again on Sunday week at Semple Stadium in a challenge match that will be in aid of the Dillion Quirke Foundation.

Ticket Information

Tickets prices for the game are as follows:

Adult – €18

Student/OAP – €15

U-16 – €5 (a €5 charge applies for all-ticket fixtures (eg Croke Park) or reserved fixtures (venues with tighter capacity or where a venue is expected to be sold out)

Advance ticket sales only are available at www.KilkennyGAA.ie or at selected Centra and SuperValu stores.