Player ratings: how Tipperary and Kilkenny fared in their All-Ireland semi-final thriller
FLAT OUT: Jake Morris of Tipperary is tackled by Paddy Deegan of Kilkenny. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
His strategy of going short to go long with the return pass was central to Tipp’s initial comeback while he was solidity personified in all defensive tasks; it might be overshadowed by more spectacular plays that were part of Tipp’s last power surge but he initiated it by taking a shot off the crossbar that would have put Kilkenny three up.
When Shelly wasn’t there to be the last man standing, Doyle was, his goalline save from John Donnelly at the death ensuring that if his name wasn’t that well known in Tipp before today, it will be now and for decades more, especially along the Kilkenny border. After a ropy opening quarter, continuously came out with the ball thereafter.
Moved from his customary no 6 spot to man-mark TJ Reid and for the most part, it worked; TJ was held to just a point from play and Tipp were held goalless.
Titanic. First, scored a couple of long-range points, then bettered them with a third point from half-time after playing a series of give-and-gos up the pitch. Also attended to his defensive duties, subduing Eoin Cody.
Like most of the Tipp halfback line, was under the cosh early but weathered it, breaking out with his share of ball.
Switching him onto John Donnelly was one of the pillars of Tipp’s comeback. And even when Kilkenny got on top again early in the third quarter, he helped stem the tide, sweeping up a pile of ball.
Was shipping water early on and while he coughed up some ball late on, more than compensated with his manic intensity and being a constant outlet for Shelly.
Put in a serious shift in the engine room, especially in the second quarter while delivering some fine ball into the Tipp inside line, but was fading when he was called ashore on 57 minutes.
One of the men that kept Tipp in the game when there was a danger they would never get into it. Scored both of their first two points, won a dirty ball to set up a boomer from Connolly and had managed a third point from play before halftime.
Had a quiet start but showed his resilience and adaptability when moving to the inside line where he caused mayhem to finish with 0-4 from play. Also showed his leadership; the first point Tipp got after going down to 14 men, he Eoin-Kelly-like gave the lion’s roar to the Tipp crowd and teammates.
Got into the game once he was switched to the wing. The one Tipp starting forward who failed to score but still contributed with some hard running, like when winning a key late free for Jason Ford to convert late on.
Was largely peripheral though did score a lovely point out on the wing minutes before he was called ashore.
A rollercoaster. Shot the first wide of the game. Then scored a goal and brilliantly set up another. Missed two give-me frees either side of nailing a really testing one. And then was put off. Call that second yellow card harsh but you’d still have thought after Páirc Uí Chaoimh he wouldn’t allow a ref to even entertain the thought of showing him the line again. Could have cost Tipp the game but he could be the winning of the All Ireland the next day.
Hard to think of a greater and more unexpected renaissance since Kieran Donaghy’s in 2014. Where would Tipp have been only that the one score they got of the game’s opening eight scores was his rocket to the net?
The rest of the inside line might have caught fire before he did but it was Forde who burned brightest when the need was greatest. Clare and Portlaoise is now erased from the memory bank after how brilliantly he did upon resuming all free-taking responsibilities while his go-ahead point from play out on the touchline was comparable to the Joe Canning one that foiled him in 2017. Not to mention his brilliant first-half finish. Class. 8
ALAN TYNAN (8) made two of the finest hustle plays of the game, first with a key blockdown in his first-half blood-sub cameo, and then with a key interception that led to that wonder goal from OISIN O’DONOGHUE (8). Noel McGrath (7) also put the shoulder to the wheel, winning a key late that triggered a defiant celebration in the mode of his namesake Ken’s in 2004.
Will be disappointed that he didn’t stop McCarthy’s goal, though he did compensate somewhat for it with a fine save from Jake Morris shortly thereafter.
Has starred in previous All Ireland semi-finals as Tony Kelly knows well but was part of a fullback line overwhelmed here from the second quarter on. Second best to Forde.
After he pulled down another high ball early on, he looked on course for another stellar performance but thereafter he even succumbed to the Kilkenny malaise and Tipp onslaught. Was uncomfortable having to deal with lower ball and McGrath coming out the field.
Struggled with the movement of the Tipp inside line and was duly replaced at halftime.
Recovered brilliantly to block Andrew Ormond early on after initially allowing him run through on goal, indicative of the work he’d continue to do. Came out with a pile of ball, but will now question why he shielded that ball in the lead up to O’Donoghue’s match-winning goal.
Ultimately didn’t offer the kind of protection that was needed from a No. 6 on the day, while will also regret a tough shot that he took on out on the wing and a couple of attempted passes in the closing minutes.
Was dominant in the opening quarter, winning several puckouts and laying on the pass for a couple of Billy Ryan points. Kilkenny though robbed Peter when paying this Paul to go back into the fullback line where he was off thereon in, including with that ‘tackle’ on Ormond that could and should have earned a red.
Helped make this one of the most intense and intriguing midfield battles Croker has known since the likes of Shane McGrath were going hip to hip with Rice and Fennelly. Got his foot and hurl to assist a couple of key scores before coming up with a couple of fine points himself.
Finished with four points from play, reflective of the relentless energy he brought to this battle.
A big part of Kilkenny’s early dominance with his movement and vision, but was quietened once Bryan O’Mara tagged him.
One of a couple of big-name forwards Kilkenny needed more from. Even allowing for his layoff, few could have envisaged him being outscored by Eoghan Connolly.
Started off on fire but gave away a couple of unnecessary frees in and out of possession in the third quarter marred the massive effort he put in.
Hard to know if he was shaking his head over his performance or his substitution when finally called ashore; it’s hard not to think it was him Stephen Donnelly was set to come on for only for him to finally get a score and get into the game after 45 minutes. Could argue he had got to the pace when he was finally subbed off but the reality is Kilkenny needed more from him and sooner than they got here.
Fought as hard as ever against the dying of the light, conjuring that late goal chance for John Donnelly, but for all the frees he won and converted here, he was well marshalled by Ronan Maher. We could be wrong, but after a seventh straight year losing either an All Ireland semi-final or final this was likely his last tilt at that seventh Celtic Cross.
If Kilkenny had prevailed here would have been in man of the match territory. Had three points from play after just 20 minutes, six by the 70th. 8.5
Clearly Derek Lyng didn’t trust it, opting to use just three subs, and all but one of them (David Blanchfield, 6) after the 65th minute.
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