'I'll definitely be sending Ray a Christmas card' - Tipperary boss after Kilkenny goal disallowed
Listen to the full interview on the Kilkenny People Sport Podcast
Six points was the winning margin at the final whistle, just as it had been when Tipperary beat Kilkenny by 0-17 to 1-8 back in March in the league. But there wasn’t a soul in Croke Park who felt that there was anything more than a whisker between the sides in yesterday’s Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior quarter-final.
It finished 1-22 to 0-19 after 80 thrilling minutes of action, plus injury time, and with the game decided by the two moments where the ball hit the net – Clodagh McIntyre’s stunning strike just before half-time in extra-time, and Caoimhe Keher Murtagh’s one-handed sweep that wasn’t allowed, as it came just after referee Ray Kelly blew his whistle for a foul on the Kilkenny sub, and a penalty.
Laura Leenane saved Aoife Prendergast’s penalty, and Tipp never looked back.
"I'll definitely be sending Ray a Christmas card for that one!" quipped Tipperary manager Denis Kelly afterwards, praising Leenane for her immense contribution since taking over the number one jersey this year.
"Look, they fall for you at times. I thought we were possibly goosed if that went in," he added.