Kilkenny needed a late goal and point to seal the kitten’s first win in this year’s Electric Ireland Minor ‘A’ Championship
Tipperary traveled to Thomastown on Sunday last in the first round of the Minor A championship. The competition is run on a round-robin series with teams playing five games before the top four teams will play in this year’s All-Ireland semi-finals.
The Leinster champions were slow to start and Tipperary took advantage and by the 11th minute had a 1-2 to 0-1 lead thanks to a Lucy Purcell goal. Kilkenny had come into the game more as the first half continued and by the interval, there was just one point between the teams 1-2 to 0-5.
Four minutes into the second half the kittens had taken the lead. the teams had traded points back and forth up to the 26th minute of the game when Tipp struck for their second goal of the game thanks to Kate Ferncombe, Tipp now led 2-7 to 0-9. Kilkenny who last won the title in 2021 and were defeated by Galway in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final were staring down the barrel of defeat.
As the clock approached the 60th-minute mark, Tipperary still held a lead 2-7 to 0-10 and time was running out. With referee Hogg playing additional time Kilkenny, sub Laura Doherty from down south in Glenmore struck the sliotar to the net to leave the team’s level and it looked like a share of the spoils. Ave Brett from St Brigids had other ideas and converted a shot that sailed over the crossbar to leave Tipperary hearts broken and relieve for Kilkenny. Final Score Kilkenny 1-11, Tipperary 2-7
Tipperary will be kicking themselves as they had many chances to put Kilkenny away but they failed to do it and Kilkenny coming off the back of a Leinster Final win last week against Dublin was showing signs of fatigue in the game. Nonetheless, Mick Wall will be delighted to get three points on the board as they now face Galway away next Sunday in round 2.
