Kerry open season with win over Tipperary in Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraiser

UP AND RUNNING: Niall Fitzgerald took his first game as Tipp senior manager following Philly Ryan’s tragic passing. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Champions Under Lights challenge: Tipperary 1-15 Kerry 2-15

Goals from Thomas O’Donnell and Darragh O’Connor (Beaufort) fired Kerry to a season-opening victory over Tipperary in a Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraiser at Fethard Town Park.

Both teams started a handful of last year’s under-20s (Kerry six and Tipp five) as Niall Fitzgerald took his first game as Tipp senior manager following Philly Ryan’s tragic passing.

The Clonmel Commercials stalwart was remembered with a half-time presentation to his family from Fethard Town Park, where a tree has been planted in Ryan’s honour.

On the field, former Monaghan under-age goalkeeper Shane Garland, who featured at wing-forward for Kilsheelan-Kilcash in this year’s county final, began between the sticks.

As well as a scatter of U20s, Jack O’Connor stationed Rathmore’s Dan Murphy at full-back, David Roche of Milltown-Castlemaine at wing-back, and Liam Smith of Glenbeigh-Glencar at midfield.

Backed by the breeze, the Kingdom put on a display of fine left-footed point-taking in the first half, including efforts from Donagh O’Sullivan, Paddy Lane, Tomás Kennedy, and Tadhg Morley.

They created a couple of early goal chances, too, but Ruairí Murphy’s shot smacked the crossbar before flying over. Then, Donal O’Sullivan’s final pass was picked off by Jack Harney.

Seán O’Connor got through on goal for Tipp, only to pull his shot wide. They got back within one point before the Kingdom hit the net from a flowing passing move, walked into the net by Castlegregory forward O’Donnell.

O’Donnell and Donal O’Sullivan added the final points of the half for a 1-8 to 0-6 lead, and Darragh O’Connor (Beaufort) extended the advantage to six on the resumption.

Darragh Brennan was a half-time sub for Tipp, and he caught fire with three points in four minutes.

Seán Broderick diverted over a Niall Heffernan goal chance, Seán O’Connor booted the game’s only two-pointer, before Brennan started and finished a move for Tipp’s goal to move 1-12 to 1-11 ahead. The Ballyporeen forward pulled up before the finish and limped off.

Kerry came chasing a goal with Garland denying two of Kerry’s three Darragh O’Connors (from Beaufort and Kerins O’Rahillys). The Beaufort O’Connor returned for the 63rd-minute goal, and a Seán O'Connell brace sealed the victory.

Scorers for Tipperary: D Brennan (1-3); S O’Connor (0-5, 1tp, 1 free); C Smith (0-4, 2 frees); L Boland, N Heffernan, M Barlow (0-1 each).

Scorers for Kerry: T O’Donnell, D O’Connor (Beaufort) (1-1 each); D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys) (0-3, 2 frees); C Trant, Donagh O’Sullivan (1 free), S O’Connell (0-2 each); T Morley, R Murphy, P Lane, T Kennedy (0-1 each).

TIPPERARY: S Garland; J Harney, E O’Connell, J O’Neill; C King, P Feehan (capt), L Boland; J Higgins, K Costello; K Butler, N Heffernan, B Comerford; C Smith, S O’Connor, P O’Keeffe.

Subs: M McFadden for O’Connell (h-t), D Brennan for Comerford (h-t), M Barlow for O’Keeffe (55), D McVicker for Feehan (64), J Nevin for Harney (64), P Bradshaw for Brennan (70, inj), O’Keeffe for Boland (70).

KERRY (first half): M Tansley; E Healy, D Murphy, L Evans; A Heinrich, T Morley (capt), D Roche; L Smith, C Trant; Donagh O’Sullivan, R Murphy, T O’Donnell; P Lane, Donal O’Sullivan, T Kennedy.

Sub: J Nagle for Roche (33, inj).

KERRY (second half): S Broderick; J Nagle, K O’Sullivan, D O’Connor (Kenmare Shamrocks); A Heinrich, E Healy, S O’Connell; E Boyle, C Trant; Donal O’Sullivan, R Murphy, G Hassett; D O’Connor (Beaufort), D O’Connor (Kerins O’Rahillys), C O’Grady.

Subs: D Murphy for Healy (48), T O’Donnell for Donagh O’Sullivan (57).

Referee: W Fitzharris (Tipperary).