Tipperary minors won the All Ireland Hurling title on Saturday by beating Kilkenny on a scoreline of Tipperary 2- 17 to Kilkenny’s 3 – 12 after extra time.
The inspirational win in extra time was secured when Billy O’Brien, Nenagh Eire Og, scored a goal two minutes from the end of the second period of extra time. Tipperary had two players sent off in the first half – one in the 7th minute and one in the 25thth minute. The players dismissed were Cillian Minogue and Darragh O’Hora. At that stage of the game Kilkenny were up by 3 points. Tipp did have a piece of good luck in the first half when the Kilkenny goalie fumbled the ball and it bounced off the post into the net for a Tipp goal from Eoghan Doughan’s 65
The teams were level at half time 1 – 5 to 1- 5 and level at the end of regular full time when the score was Tipp 1-12 to 2 -9 Kilkenny.
The Man of the Match award went to Tiernan Ryan from Holycross-Ballycahill while his club mate Cathal O’Reilly accepted the Irish Press Cup as Captain. The win puts Tipperary at the head of the roll of honour with 22 All Ireland Minor titles.
David Ryan and Adam Ryan from Arravale Rovers and Darragh O’Hora from Sologhead were the only three players from West Tipp involved in a squad with 19 Tipperary clubs represented. Diarmaid Carr from Golden Kilfeacle GAA club is the strength and conditioning coach for the team.
Tipperary team management were unhappy with the officiating by referee Thomas Gleeson and his team of officials from Dublin. Tipperary manager James Woodlock was yellow carded for remonstrating when the Tipperary player was sent off.
The victorious team were given a rousing homecoming in line with tradition on the steps of the Cathedral in Thurles late on Saturday night. The game was played in Kilkenny as the Noresiders won the toss when both teams agreed to toss for home venue. Tipperary County GAA Board is to accept donations to the team training fund, available online, until July 3rd.
