Kilkenny heartbreak as 13-man Tipperary claim All-Ireland Minor glory

It was a sobering night in UPMC Nowlan Park for Kilkenny hurling supporters after Tipperary came away with All-Ireland Minor glory despite playing the majority of the game with only 13 players.

Cillian Minogue and Darragh O'Hora were both given straight red cards in the opening half by Dublin official Thomas Gleeson which irked the sizeable Tipperary contingent among the 12,721 in attendance.

That sense of unjust only seem to inspire Tipperary as even though Bill McDermott netted a fine 13th minute goal past Daire English, the Cats could never quite fend off their near neighbours.

A fortunate Eoghan Doughal goal that saw Kilkenny goalkeeper Jake O'Doherty drop the ball to the net ensured Tipperary went into the dressing rooms on level terms at 1-5 each and they only seemed to grow in confidence from that point on.

A second Kilkenny goal from marauding midfielder Robbie Doherty did give the home side the edge inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half but they still couldn't fire for home even if Conor Holohan, McDermott and Eoin Brennan led the Kilkenny charge.

A Jake Donelan Houlihan point with five minutes remaining was the last score in normal time and it helped Tipperary move the tie into overtime even if a chaotic final few minutes where both teams missed chances ensued.

Kilkenny's troubles didn't improve in extra-time initially with only Conor Holohan and Patrick Lacey pointing in the first half but they looked to have snatched the win when Dicksboro's Anthony Clifford pounced for his side's third goal in the second half.

It wasn't to be though as a cracking individual effort from Billy O'Brien as well as further points from subs Killian Cantwell and Austin Duff saw Tipperary claim All-Ireland minor honours for the second time in three years.

Teams and Scorers

Tipperary: Eoghan Doughan (1-3, 1-1f); Euan Murray 0-4, Jake Donnellan Houlihan (0-4, 0-3f); Billy O’Brien 1-1, Cillian Minogue, Adam Ryan, Stefan Tobin, Killian Cantwell, Austin Duff 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: Bill McDermott 1-2; Conor Holohan 0-3; Robbie Doherty, Anthony Clifford 1-0 each; Jake Mullen (0-3, 0-2f); Kevin Buggy, Eoin Brennan, Patrick Lacey, Cian Byrne 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Daire English; Shane Ryan, Cathal O’Reilly, Patrick Ryan; Jake Donnellan Houlihan, Owen O’Dwyer, David Ryan; Darragh O’Hora, Tiernan Ryan; Eoghan Doughan, Adam Ryan, Billy O’Brien; Stefan Tobin, Euan Murray, Cillian Minogue.

Subs used: Austin Duff for Doughan (47); Aaron Cagney for Tobin (58); Killian Cantwell for Cagney (6, ET); Stefan Tobin for Murray (18, ET).

Kilkenny: Jake O’Doherty (Mooncoin); Oisin Henderson (Dicksboro), Larry Phelan (James Stephens), Bobby Brennan (Erins Own); David Barcoe (Clara), Jack Dollard (Glenmore), Mikey Rohan (Carrickshock); Robbie Doherty (Mooncoin), Kevin Buggy (Erins Own); Jake Mullen (Ballyhale Shamrocks), Bill McDermott (James Stephens), Jason Cody (Glenmore); Ollie O’Donovan (John Lockes), Conor Holohan (O’Loughlin Gaels), Eoin Brennan (Erins Own).

Subs used: Cian Byrne (O’Louglin Gaels) for Cody (43); Louis Raggett (Dicksboro) for B Brennan (49); Patrick Lacey (Dicksboro) for O’Donovan (57); Anthony Clifford (Dicksboro) for E Brennan (9, ET); Eoghan Cahill (Graigue Ballycallan) for Rohan (15, ET); Ollie O’Donovan for Holohan (18, ET).

Referee: Thomas Gleeson (Dublin)