Tipp snatch cream from Cats

Tipperary 2-19 Kilkenny 2-16

A man-of-the-match display from full-forward Ger O'Grady steered Tipperary to victory over rivals Kilkenny in the Allianz NHL tie at Nowlan Park.

O' Grady bagged 1-06 of his side's total and contributed in no small way to Tipperary's first victory over the Cats since last year's All Ireland semi-final.

The sides were level at the interval at 1-09 apiece.

Kilkenny opened very well and a DJ Carey goal in the 14th minute left them 1-04 to 1-01 ahead.

However, Tipperary had four Ger O'Grady points to bring them back into the game and when Mark O'Leary goaled two minutes before the end of the half, Tipp were back in front.

By the interval, the sides were level and it was all to play for.

The decisive score of the second half came from O'Grady in the 17th minute after he caught, turned and kicked to the Kilkenny net to put Tipperary seven clear.

Substitute Charlie Carter goaled with four minutes to go for Kilkenny but Tipperary battled bravely to record the win.