Kilkenny and Tipp end league with high-scoring draw in Thurles

Kilkenny produced a much improved display as they battled to a hard fought draw against All-Ireland champions Tipperary in the final round of the Allianz League this evening.

On the back of a heavy loss to Galway the last day out, Derek Lyng's men were in need of a response and they certainly gave that as TJ Reid, Mossy Keoghan and Liam Moore all found the net.

Despite it being only his first appearance of the season, TJ stood out throughout with his 1-8 tally a real highlight for Kilkenny supporters in attendance.

It was a game that was typical end of league fare as both sides engaged in an end to end battle and from the start it was clear Kilkenny were up for the challenge with Liam Moore grabbing a goal within 20 seconds of the throw-in.

Read Next- Kilkenny's Mossy Keoghan opens up about life in the squad and at home with All-Star dad

The Noresiders maintained that momentum right through the opening half and even led by six at one stage but a Jake Morris helped the hosts turn the tide and in turn they led 1-14 to 1-13 at the break.

Like the first period, the net was rattling within seconds of the resumption but this time it was for the Premier County as Darragh McCarthy scored past Aidan Tallis in the Kilkenny goal.

Keeping a lead was proving difficult for either side and when TJ lobbed in an exquisite goal in addition to Mossy Keoghan also grabbing a major, Kilkenny looked primed to seal a crucial win away to one of their biggest rivals.

Tipp finished with their tails up however with Jason Forde, Sean Kenneally and Jake Morris all scoring in succession and a Jordan Molloy stoppage time equaliser was required as the Cats claimed a share of the spoils at the end of a hugely entertaining affair.

Team and Scorers

Kilkenny: TJ Reid (1-8, 3fs and 1 '65); Liam Moore, Mossy Keoghan (1-2 each); Cian Kenny (0-3, 2fs); John Donnelly, Ed McDermott (0-2 each); Jordan Molloy, Richie Reid, Killian Doyle, Eoin Cody, Luke Hogan (0-1 each)

Tipperary: Jake Morris (1-5); Jason Forde (0-7, 3fs); Eoghan Connolly (0-5, 2 65's and 1f); Darragh McCarthy (1-1); Sam O'Farrell, Sean Kenneally (0-2 each); Alan Tynan, Conor Martin, Oisin O'Donoghue, Michael Breen (0-1 each)

Kilkenny; Aidan Tallis; Ivan Bolger, Rory Garrett, Paddy Deegan; Jordan Molloy, Darragh Corcoran, Richie Reid; Cian Kenny, Killian Doyle; Martin Keoghan, John Donnelly, Tom Phelan; Liam Moore, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody.

Subs: Luke Hogan for Phelan, 20 mins; David Blanchfield for Bolger, 30 mins; Ed McDermott for Hogan, h-t; Cathal Beirne for Doyle, 59 mins; Rory Glynn for Cody, 73 mins.

Tipperary: Rhys Shelley; Robert Doyle, Brian McGrath, Michael Breen; Eoghan Connolly, Ronan Maher, Oisin O'Donoghue; Conor Martin, Darragh Stakelum; Jake Morris, Alan Tynan, Sam O'Farrell; Darragh McCarthy, Gearoid O'Connor, Jason Forde.

Subs: Sean Kenneally for O'Connor, h-t; Johnny Ryan for B.McGrath, h-t; Noel McGrath for Stakelum, 54 mins; Andrew Ormond for Martin, 57 mins; Peter McGarry for Forde, 69 mins.

Referee; James Owens (Wexford)