Jeff O’Donoghue drives on Kingdom

Munster JFC semi-final

The Glenflesk man landed four points and provided the assists for Thomas Hickey and Dan O’Donoghue’s goals.

Dean McEnroe’s 34th-minute goal handed Tipperary the lead for the only time in the game, 1-5 to 1-4, but Kerrythen hit five unanswered points.

And when Dan O’Donoghue, a former All-Ireland minor medallist, steamed forward for Kerry’s second goal midway through the second half, it was game over.

At half-time, Kerry were 1-4 to 0-5 clear, with Hickey banging home a brilliant goal in the 21st minute.

Tipp goalkeeper Gearóid Slattery stopped two penalties in the win over Waterford and he was in good form again early on, denying Hickey from close range, while Ger Hally went close for the hosts at the other end.

But once Kerry upped the tempo after the break, there would only be one winner in a game that was marred by a sickening first-half collision between home player Alan O’Riordan and the Kingdom’s Tadhg Morley.

O’Riordan was stretchered off and Morley made way at half-time.

Relieved Kerry boss Stephen Wallace said: “What was worrying me was that was a damn good Tipperary side with a lot of players who had played in an All-Ireland (U21) final not so long ago.

“We did not expect to turn Tipperary over today and that’s from the bottom of my heart.”

Tipp boss Tommy Toomey reflected: “We ran out of gas, simple as that. But Kerry are a very good team.”

Scorers for Kerry:

T Hickey (1-2, 2 frees), D O’Donoghue (1-0), J O’Donoghue (0-4), A O’Donoghue (0-3), C Cox (0-2), J Walsh, L Carey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary:

K Fox (0-4, 3 frees), D McEnroe (1-0), A Matassa, D Lonergan (free, 45) (0-2 each).

KERRY:

S Murphy (Kilcummin); D O’Donoghue (Spa), J McGuire (Listowel Emmetts), G Crowley (Templenoe); G Gibson, (Waterville), B O’Sullivan (Valentia), T Morley (Templenoe); J Walsh (Knocknagoshel), L Kearney (Spa); P O’Connor (Cordal), J O’Donoghue (Glenflesk), D Daly (St Mary’s); A O’Donoghue (John Mitchels), C Cox (Listowel Emmetts), T Hickey (Castleisland Desmonds).

Subs:

E Kiely (Brosna) for Morley (half-time), M Brennan (Churchill) for Gibson (37), L Carey (Beaufort) for Daly (45), A Barry (Brosna) for Cox (49), G O’Sullivan (Listry) for J O’Donoghue (57), D Griffin (Ardfert) for O’Sullivan (59).

TIPPERARY:

G Slattery (Cashel); G Hally (Cahir), D Kearney (Clonmel Óg), D Lynch (Clonmel Commercials); K Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), L Boland (Moyle Rovers), J Feehan (Killenaule); A Matassa (Clonmel Commercials), M Dunne (Moyle Rovers); S Leahy (Arravale Rovers), A O’Riordan (JK Brackens), D Leahy (Arravale Rovers); K Fox (Éire Óg Annacarty), D Lonergan (Cahir), D McEnroe (JK Brackens).

Subs:

T Sweeney (Ballyporeen)for O’Riordan (30+6), G Cronin (Ardfinnan) for Dunne (47), N Gleeson (Portroe) for S Leahy (49), M Russell (Aherlow Gaels) for Matassa (56), D Walsh (Moyle Rovers) for D Leahy (60+1)

Referee: M Collins (Cork)