The main talking points as Tipp end Kilkenny's All-Ireland Under-20 dream

MAIN MAN

Sam O’Farrell (Tipperary)

There were many stars on the Tipperary team but they were led brilliantly from the back by their captain Sam O’Farrell who even got two points from play and he gets extra marks for a great after match speech that included remembering Dylan Quirke. From a Kilkenny perspective, Ivan Bolger, Darragh Vereker, Michael Brennan and Marty Murphy were best but they needed a few more in peak form.

TURNING POINT

Many will argue that the game got away from the home side when they had the backing of a strong breeze in the opening half yet they were still very much in the contest until Paddy McCormack got the first of his two goals in the 39th minute and it was an uphill task from there.

TALKING POINT

Tipperary were the better team on the field but arguably more disappointingly, they were definitley on top off the field aswell with a huge visting crowd outnumbering Kilkenny supporters on Noreside. While the size of both counties has to be taken into account it was still noticeable the difference in decibel levels for the two teams which jars a litte given the fantastic public support in the build up to Saturday’s final.

Lowlight

Saturday’s defeat was the second All-Ireland Final loss to their arch rivals in Nowlan Park in less than a year and it shows that the Premier County have the upper hand at underage level currently.

WHAT NOW?

The season is now at an end for the Kilkenny Under 20’s with attention switching to the minor squad who resume their All-Ireland campaign in two weeks time.

Attendance

14,455