Kerry vs Tipperary

Match Report

Munster Minor Championship Round 1

Kerry 1-07 (10) Tipperary 2-03 (9)

Venue: Brosna Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork)

Kerry Manager Jeremiah O’Sullivan got he’s tenure of minor manager off to the perfect start with a hard faught win against Tipperary in Brosna on Sunday. In last year’s fixture Tipperary came out with a one-point win in Fethard. In testing conditions both sides weren’t able to showcase their full array of talents. The early stages of the match didn’t help either side to settle. Rain made it difficult for both to handle the ball and get a footing in the game. The premier county adapted better in the early exchanges. Grace Hogan with a brace, one from a free as they opened up a two-point lead. Sadhbh O’Sullivan got Kerry off the mark with a point in the fifth minute. Weather conditions improved but both sides were guilty of some poor handling due to the mixed nature of the weather. Kerry settled some more and were rewarded with a goal eighteen minutes into the game. Fossa’s Tara O’Sullivan raising the first green flag of the afternoon. Tipperary soon responded with a goal themselves. Aoibhinn Casey who was a late change to the Tipperary side saw what looked like a shot for a point fly into the corner of the net. It gave Tipperary the lead but Kerry finished the half the strongest scoring three unanswered points to go in at the break two points in front. Ashlyn Falvey and a brace from Naoise O’Donoghue saw the sides go in at the break Kerry 1-04 Tipperary 1-02.

The second half saw both sides reduced to 14 each. Kerry’s Ashlyn Flavey was the first to receive a yellow card at the start of the second half. Tipperary captain Grace Hogan received a yellow seven minutes into the half. Kerry made three substitutions at halftime to help build on a strong finish in the first half. Kerry opened up a three point lead five minutes into the half with a point from play by Sadhbh O’Sullivan. The next score didn’t come till the thirty eight minute. Tipperary’s Chloe O’Neill with a goal to draw the sides level. Credit to Kerry they responded with a point from Kelsey Cummins to retake the lead. Sadhbh O’Sullivan added a free as Kerry opened up a two point lead. Tipperary threw everything at Kerry sensing the possibility of getting something  out of the game. Clare Fitzgerald with a point for Tipperary saw the deficit reduced to the bare minimum. With four minutes remaining Tipperary threw everything at them but Kerry held firm for the victory.

Kerry Scorers: T O’Sullivan (1-00), S O’Sullivan (0-03), K Cummins (0-01), A Falvey (0-01f), N O’Donoghue (0-02)

Tipperary Scorers: C O’Neill (1-00), C Fitzgerald (0-01), G Hogan (0-02 1f)

Kerry Team: C O’Mahony, R Daly, A Brosnan, J Lee O’Connor, S Flynn, S Ní Shlattara, F Lynch, M Teahan (C), L Griffin, T O’Sullivan, S O’Sullivan, K Cummins, A Falvey, E Evans, N O’Donoghue

Subs: A Doyle for S Flynn h/t, E Dillane for S Ní Shlattara h/t, B Curtin for E Evans h/t, S Heasman for R Daly 39mins, C O’Sullivan for A Falvey 44mins,  I Wynton for C O’Sullivan 52mins

Tipperary Team: C Myles, A Challen S Lonergan, R O’Brien, A Gleeson, S Ferris, T Doyle, A Browne, E Cody, C O’Neill, A Casey, C Keane, C Fitzgerald, G Hogan, A Smith

Subs: S Hannafin for R O’Brien, C Norris for C Keane, A Cahill for E Cody