Free scoring Tipp in minor final

August 13, 2006
Tipperary conceded three goals but still managed to qualify for the All-Ireland final of the ESB MHC after an enthralling clash with Kilkenny. Tipperary 0-19 Kilkenny 3-9 The beaten Munster finalists put in a tremendous display to better the Leinster winners and in corner forward Patrick Bourke they had a forward of the highest standard. Despite the talented Richie Hogan being menacing in the Kilkenny attack, Tipp led by 0-4 to 0-3 at the end of the first quarter and could have been further ahead but for some poor shooting. Bourke and Thomas McGrath then fired over two good points for the Premier boys but just as thought they thought they could build up a lead, Kilkenny levelled the tie with a Michael Murphy goal. Tipp responded with a hat trick of points but a late John Mulhall point left Kilkenny trailing by just 1-4 to 0-9 at the break. Kilkenny levelled the game on the restart before Tipp once again hit a hat trick of points to move three points clear. Then, just as in the first half, Kilkenny pounced for a goal through Mulhall to tie the match at 2-6 to 0-12. Tipp responded before Hogan put the Leinster champions ahead with two points and a third goal for the Noresiders from Shane Brennan put the black and amber four points ahead. Three crucial points from Tipp narrowed the deficit before Hogan once again put Kilkenny two points clear. Tipp levelled and then hit the last score of an exciting tie through Seamus Callinan to earn their final spot. Tipperary - J Ryan; M Cahill, P Maher, B Maher; E Hogan, T Stapleton, J O'Keeffe; J McLoughney 0-3, G Ryan 0-2; S Hennessy 0-1, T McGrath 0-3, N Bergin 0-1; P Bourke 0-6, T Dunne 0-1, T Dalton. Subs: N McGrath for B Maher, M Gleeson for Hennessy, S Callinan 0-2 for Bergin, S Bourke for Dalton. Kilkenny - C McGrath; P Nolan, K Mooney, J Fitzpatrick; P Murphy, D Langton, PJ Rowe; M Kelly, M Bergin; M Murphy 1-0, J Mulhall 1-2, M Walsh; C Fennelly 0-1, R Hogan 0-6, J Farrell Subs: S Brennan 1-0 for Kelly, N Waldron for Murphy, K Grehan for M Walsh. Referee - G Hoey (Clare)

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