McGrath Cup win for Kingdom

Tipperary 1-5 Kerry 1-12

Kerry lifted the McGrath Cup for the third time in four years as they won their first piece of silverware under new manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice.

In bitterly cold conditions at Sean Treacy Park, the Kingdom had a strong wind at their backs in the first half and took full advantage to build a 1-7 to 0-2 lead by the break.

Paul Geaney set up Darran O’Sullivan for the visitors’ 16th-minute goal, the former All-Ireland winning captain drilling a low shot to the corner of the Tipperary net.

O’Sullivan also scored two points in the opening half with Kerry’s other points coming from Spa’s Michael O’Donoghue, Michael Geaney, Tomás Ó Sé and midfield duo Anthony Maher and Brian Sheehan.

A couple of pointed frees from full forward Barry Grogan were all Tipp could muster before half-time, as they struggled to make an impact off limited ball.

Kerry, facing into the elements, kept control of the scoreboard early in the second half with scores from Paul Geaney, Patrick Curtin and O’Sullivan.

A goal in the 56th minute from Grogan lifted Tipp briefly, with his ‘45’ going in off a defender’s fingertips via the crossbar.

In wet and windy conditions, Grogan took his tally to 1-4 but Peter Creedon’s side were unable to bridge the gap as Kerry ran out convincing winners.