Tipp defeat All-Ireland champions

A new era in Tipperary football began this afternoon in Clonmel, as the Premier county's first competitive fixture since last May ended in a 1-10 to 0-08 McGrath Cup defeat of All-Ireland champions Kerry.

Returning boss Seamus McCarthy watched from the sidelines as Declan Browne inspired his side through to a semi-final with either Cork IT or UCC next Sunday, hitting 1-01 inside the first 150 seconds.

Browne beat out Kingdom goalkeeper Kieran Cremin after an initial inside feed to the two-time All-Star, and tagged on a left-footed point as Tipp opened briskly.

Kerry, just back from a squad holiday in Mexico, started with just one All-Ireland medallist - Marc O Se - and it was he who scored one of their two breakaway points in the first half. Tipp led 1-06 to 0-02 at the break, with Eamon Hanrahan and John Shanahan buffering their lead.

Kerry substitute Eoin Brosnan, their leading scorer from play in last season's Championship run (3-17), inspired a mini-revival despite missing a first half injury-time goal chance, which was parried superbly by Brian Enright.

Kerins O'Rahilly's marksman Declan Quill bagged three early points after the break, the second of which was a well-drilled line ball into the wind. Aidan O'Mahony cancelled out a Browne free for a 1-07 to 0-06 deficit but even though Damien O'Brien's goal was ruled out for a square ball, Tipp pulled through with Browne fittingly scoring the final point.

Kerry lost Brendan Guiney to the sin-bin on 54 minutes for a high challenge on Tipp centre half-back Niall Fitzgerald. The sides will meet again on May 29 in the provincial Championship.

There was Kerry success in Kill, as Tralee IT came from behind to beat Waterford 2-08 to 0-09 and book a last four date with either Cork or holders Limerick, who met tomorrow night.

The Deise led 0-07 to 0-01 after 25 minutes, but Enda Coughlan's snapshot goal before the break and a second from Patsy O'Connell saw Vincent O'Connor's side pull of a shock win.

Tipperary 1-10 Kerry 0-08, Clonmel

Waterford 0-09 Tralee IT 2-08, Kill, Waterford