For the second time in a week, Kilkenny faced Tipperary, this time in the form of a fundraiser for the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
Derek Lyng’s side was hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s league defeat to the same opposition when they took to the FBD Semple Stadium pitch in Thurles. It was quite evident from the off that The Cats were up for the game by charging ahead with four unanswered points in the opening exchanges. The first goal would come from Gearóid Dunne, with twelve minutes gone. However, with 16 minutes gone, Gearóid Dunne once again had it in the back of the net, creating a ten-point gap between the two rivals
Martin Keoghan made it three after 20 minutes, with the roles well and truly reversed from the previous weeks league game. In fairness to Liam Cahill’s side, it was much changed from the victory in UPMC Nowlan Park. Sensing changes incoming before the ref blew for halftime, Tip sparked into action with four unanswered points, to leave the score at half time, Kilkenny 3-12 Tipperary 0-14.
Well done to Mikey Kirwan of @GlenmoreGAA who won the Long Puck at the @dqfoundation22 Senior Hurling Challenge in @TipperaryGAA Semple Stadium. Congrats to all contestants, including Paddy Lyng of @Rower_Inistioge pic.twitter.com/11oEfwmOou
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) February 19, 2023
The Premier County rang in the changes at halftime and continued to mount their comeback with another three points in a row. It was nip and tuck for the next ten minutes before that man again, Gearóid Dunne, bagged his hat trick. After that, the score never dropped less than a three-score game, with the goals providing ample breathing room for The Cats. Kilkenny played very well at times, with Tipperary having their moments but ultimately the game ended Kilkenny 4-20 Tipperary 0-25.
It was a good workout, with sterner tests to come for both sides, however, that was not what this challenge game was really about. Summing it up for us Johnathon Cullen, Tipperary GAA PRO told KCLR “the aim of the foundation is to make screening for Sudden Adult Death Syndrome available to young boys and girls from the age of thirteen onwards and adults as well across the country.”
