Tipperary impress but sharp Kerry subs ensure they progress to the Munster Under 20 football final

Tipperary Under 20 footballers made the journey to Austin Stack Park as underdogs but they made little of the tag by taking to their task with commendable determination against a Kerry side amongst the favourites for the All-Ireland title, and in the end the home side made the changes - with substitutes contributing seven points - to ensure they pushed on to win by five points in the end. 

To progress to the Munster final Tipperary needed to win by nine points and from the off they played with an attacking flair that appeared to take their hosts by surprise. An early Shane Ryan point set the tone as Niall Fitzgerald's side took the game to Kerry.

The green and gold crew responded with the next three points before goalkeeper Robbie McGrath struck a 45 into the strong breeze and over the bar leaving the score Kerry 0-3 Tipperary 0-2 after 14 minutes of action. Tipperary were well in the game. In defence Eoin O’Connell and Charlie King impressed with darting runs.

Tipp were attacking and going for goals with Joseph Lawrence bursting through the middle and going for a goal rather than being content with a certain point. Shane Ryan did the same thing. Kerry keeper Michael Tansley had to be sharp to bring off two superb saves to knock the ball out for 45s and deny Tipperary. 

Orrin Jones struck a fine score into the wind before Robbie McGrath struck his second 45 of the half on 25 minutes leaving the score Kerry 0-5 Tipperary 0-4 which was how it remained until half time. 

Many of the Tipperary supporters, some of whom had travelled to Tralee on the supporters bus, felt a surprise was on the cards as Tipperary would be playing with a strong wind in the second half however Kerry boss Tomas O Se rang the changes to ensure his side kept the upper hand. 

Dual star Luke Crowley, who played superbly for the Kerry hurlers the previous weekend, was introduced as was Cormac Dillon. Both were incredibly sharp and accurate forwards and on the restart the duo stretched Kerry's lead to three points before Michael Freaney kicked a good score with the aid of the wind for Tipp. 

Playing with the wind changed Tipperary's approach and they opted for long range kicks rather than continuing to work the ball in like they had done in the first half. 

By contrast Kerry worked the ball inwards towards their super subs and by the 44th minute Kerry were 1-10 to 0-5 clear after Luke Crowley, son of All-Ireland winner Johnny, played a delightful lobbed pass into full forward Tomas Kennedy who struck the opening goal of the game. 

Tipperary rallied with substitute Daithi Hogan pointing after the ball was worked into the inside forward line. Kerry struck twice before Orrin Jones pointed a free with six minutes left but by then the clock was against Tipperary. 

Jones struck again quickly a minute later but Cormac Dillon was playing great football at the other end as Kerry went 1-14 to 0-8 clear on 57 minutes. 

Quick points from Cian Smith and Orrin Jones kept Tipperary supporters clapping and then late on Daithi Hogan gathered out near the corner flag, turned and worked his way towards goal before sending the ball into the Kerry net. 

That brought it back to five at the end of a game that entertained the fine crowd with long kick passes and quick breaks from defence. Kerry march on in Munster while Tipperary travelled home after a positive campaign overall where they played six matches and can hold their heads up high. 

Afterwards Tipperary manager Niall Fitzgerald said he was disappointed by the result but very proud of the effort: "My initial thought is one of disappointment. We left a lot of chances behind us in both halves and when you do that against Kerry you get punished and Kerry punished us because they are a good team.

"Look, I suppose it is tinged with pride too because the lads battled and fought. I mean Jack O'Neill came off with a broken nose and went back onto the field. A real warrior and that group is full of them so while I'm disappointed today, I am kinda excited for the future because I think these lads have a bright future."

SCORERS – Kerry: Tomas Kennedy 1-2; Ian O’Sullivan (3 frees), Cormac Dillon (1 free) 0-4 each; Luke Crowley 0-2; Odhran Ferris, Eddie Healy, Daniel Kirby 0-1.

Tipperary: Orrin Jones 0-4 (2 frees); Daithi Hogan 1-1; Robbie McGrath 0-2 45s; Micheal Freaney, Shane Ryan (free), Cian Smith 0-1 each.

TEAMS – Kerry: Michael Tansley; Gearoid Evans, Ryan Diggin, Maidhci Lynch; Charlie Keating, Cian Lynch, Darragh O’Connor; Rob Stack, Cathal Brosnan; Fionn Murphy, Odhran Ferris, Daniel Kirby; Ian O’Sullivan, Tomas Kennedy, Paddy Lane.

Subs: Luke Crowley for Murphy (HT); Cormac Dillon for Lane (HT); Eddie Healy for Brosnan (38); Aidan Crowley for Kirby (42); Adam Segal for Keating (50).

Tipperary: Robbie McGrath (Galtee Rovers); Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan), Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney), Darragh Spillane (Fethard); Darragh O’Brien (Aherlow), Sean O’Meara (Grangemockler/Ballyneale), Charlie King (Ballina, Capt); Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials), Eoin Doocey (Arravale Rovers); Thomas Charles (Clonmel Commercials), Joseph Lawrence (Rockwell Rovers), Micheal Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash); Orrin Jones (Arravale Rovers), Tommy O’Connor (Kilsheelan/Kilcash), Shane Ryan (Ardfinnan).

Subs: Killian Butler (Moyle Rovers) for O’Neill (blood 1-10mins); Killian Butler for O’Meara (11 injured); Daithi Hogan (St Patrick’s) for Ryan (HT); Paddy O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers) for Higgins (45); Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials) for O’Connor (50); Niall O’Connor (Clonmel Og) for O’Brien (52).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare)