Kerry get Munster campaign back on track with narrow win over Tipp

Kerry had to survive a spirited Tipperary revival in the second half

Kerry's Jadyn Lucey scored the vital goal against Tipperary. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

TG4 Munster SFC: Kerry 1-6 Tipperary 0-7 

Champions Kerry kept their hopes alive of retaining their provincial title with a narrow two points win over Tipperary in the TG4 Munster SFC Round 2 clash at Clonmel Sportsfield.

Kerry needed the win following their first round defeat to Waterford but were more relieved than jubilant after surviving a spirited Tipperary revival in the second half when the home side outscored the visitors by 0-6 to 0-2.

A dominant first half display laid the foundation for the Kingdom victory, after which they led by 1-4 to 0-1. Team captain Siofra O’Shea opened their account from a free in the second minute after they had dominated possession from the throw-in.

Emma Morrissey set up Sarah English for a Tipperary equaliser four minutes later but that was Tipp’s only score of the half as Kerry went on to dominate play, with Emma Costello dominant at centre-half back, Anna Galvin and Mary O’Connell on top at midfield, and O’Shea, Niamh Carmody, Jadyn Lucey and Caoimhe Evans causing huge problems for the home defence.

Points from Lucey, another O’Shea free and Mary O’Connell pushed Kerry into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead before Lucey struck for the game’s decisive score four minutes from the break, winning possession and then making room to shoot low to the net past Lauren Fitzpatrick.

Tipperary had struggled for scores in the first half but they were a rejuvenated side in the second, with Morrissey, Lauren Cunningham, Sarah English, Heather Spillane and the Martin sisters, Nora and Niamh, leading the charge.

Three points on the bounce in the third quarter had the home support in fine voice. Morrissey from a free for a technical breach started the run, with the outstanding Cunningham adding the second, and a huge point from Kirsty Crotty Ryan bringing it back to a one score game, 1-4 to 0-4, by the 47th minute.

Kerry had to wait eighteen minutes for their first score of the half, with a point from O’Shea helping to stem the Tipperary onslaught. But Tipperary, finally reproducing the form that saw them shock Cork in the first round a week earlier, hit back with another two points from Nora Martin and Emma Morrissey to bring it back to 1-5 to 0-6 with five minutes to go.

As the game entered added on time, Kerry extended the lead with an Aisling O’Connell point, just their second of the half, and even though Tipp responded with a Niamh Martin point after strong pressure, time ran out for the home side.

Scorers for Kerry: J Lucey 1-1, S O’Shea 0-3 (0-2 f), M O’Connell, A O’Connell 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E Morrissey 0-2 (0-1 f), Nora Martin, Niamh Martin, S English, L Cunningham, K Crotty Ryan 0-1 each.

KERRY: C Butler; R Rahilly, D Kearney, E Lynch, A O’Connell; E Costello, A Dillane; A Galvin, M O’Connell; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchúir, C Evans; R Dwyer, S O’Shea, J Lucey. 

Subs: L McMahon for Dwyer (36), M E Bolger for C Butler (inj, 44), K Enright for Carmody (55), M O’Connor for Evans (60).

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; T Hoare, M Curley, E Cronin; K Cashman, Nora Martin, S English; L Morrissey, Niamh Martin; C English, L Cunningham, H Spillane; K Crotty Ryan, A Carey, E Morrissey. 

Subs: A McGuigan for Crotty Ryan (51), A Ryan for Cashman (55).

Referee: Justin Murphy (Cork)