U21 Cats regain county pride

Tipperary 1-6 Kilkenny 3-21

Kilkenny's young hurlers gained a retribution of sorts as their U21s retained the Erin U21 All-Ireland crown this afternoon at Nowlan Park, defeating a lacklustre Tipperary 3-21 to 1-6.

The Cats, who included three seniors from last Sunday's senior All-Ireland final loss, struck with early goals through skipper James 'Cha Fitzpatrick and Willie O'Dwyer. Martin Fogarty's side held a 2-12 to 1-1 half time lead.

Conor Phelan added a third goal at the death, as Tipp forward Tony Scroope was sent to the line for a second yellow card offence.

Fitzpatrick, who was forced off before the end of the first half with a right arm injury, lifted the Cross of Cashel trophy.

Following intermediate and senior defeats, it marks the black-and-amber's first All-Ireland success of 2004.

TIPPERARY: P McCormack; A Morrissey, C O'Mahoney, D Walton; E Hanley, D Fitzgerald, H Moloney; J Caesar, W Cully; P Buckley, S Sweeney, F Devanney; E Sweeney, T Scroope, M Farrell.

KILKENNY: D Herity; S Maher, J Tennyson, M Fennelly; T Walsh, PJ Delaney, C Hoyne; S Hennessy, P Cleere; S O'Neill, W O'Dwyer, E Reid; J Fitzpatrick, C Phelan, R Power.