Allianz NHL- Sluggish first half sees Kilkenny fall to Tipperary

Kilkenny were outgunned by arch rivals Tipperary in this afternoon's Allianz Division 1B Hurling clash in UPMC Nowlan Park.

Kilkenny were well off the pace in the opening half and they were thoroughly punished with goals from Jason Forde and Jake Morris enabling the Premier County to open up a 12 point interval lead.

The Cats battled back in the second period with John Donnelly impressing off the bench and Mossy Keoghan finding the net but they still couldn't reel the winners in who had Jason Forde in stunning form as he finished with a tally of 1-15.

Tipperary lost Cathal Barrett and Paddy Cadell to injuries in the opening 10 minutes but it didn't overly effect their flow as they led 0-5 to 0-2 at the halfway mark of the first half.

Walter Walsh had an early goal chance that was saved by Barry Hogan and had that gone in, the game could have went in a different direction than it resulted with Tipp pouncing on a lot of indecision in the Kilkenny defence.

Billy Drennan and John Donnelly helped keep Kilkenny competitive but with Tipp knocking over scores at will, the game looked all but done at the change of ends.

With David Blanchfield and Conor Fogarty emerging as second half replacements and Kilkenny going a bit more direct, the home side did improve and helped by Keoghan's goal in the 58th minute it looked all to play for going down the stretch.

Keoghan's goal and a brace of frees from youngster Drennan left just four points in it but despite hitting 19 wides, Tipperary found another edge late on as Jason Forde hit three points on the bounce including a sideline cut.

Mark Kehoe then knocked over an insurance score in stoppage time to put the seal on the six point win for Tipperary.

Teams and Scorers

Tipperary- Jason Forde (1-15, 0-8f and 0-1 65), Jake Morris (1-2), Conor Bowe (0-2), Noel McGrath (0-2), Alan Tynan (0-1), John Campion (0-1) and Mark Kehoe (0-1)

Kilkenny- Billy Drennan (0-10, 0-6f and 0-1 65), Martin Keoghan (1-2), John Donnelly (0-4), Padraig Walsh (0-1), Walter Walsh (0-1), Billy Ryan (0-1), Shane Walsh (0-1) and Conor Fogarty (0-1)

Tipperary- Barry Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Michael Breen, Johnny Ryan; Enda Heffernan, Pauric Campion, Ronan Maher; Paddy Cadell, Dan McCormack; Alan Tynan, Noel McGrath, Jake Morris; Jason Forde, Seamus Callanan, Conor Bowe.

Subs- John Campion for Cadell (4), Eoghan Connolly for Barrett (11), Mark Kehoe for Callanan (53), Bryan O'Mara for P.Campion (54), Seamus Kennedy for J.Campion (60), Sean Ryan for Morris (66).

Kilkenny- Aidan Tallis; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Conor Heary; Cillian Buckley, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Corcoran; Paddy Deegan, Killian Doyle; Walter Walsh, Billy Ryan, Cian Kenny; Billy Drennan, Martin Keoghan, Shane Walsh. 

Subs- John Donnelly for Kenny (23), David Blanchfield for Heary (h-t), Conor Fogarty for Doyle (h-t), Alan Murphy for Butler (39), Gearoid Dunne for Murphy (61).

Referee- Patrick Murphy (Carlow)