Tipp did everything they could and still wasn’t quite enough.
Considering the intensity of the rivalry, Kilkenny and Tipperary games are rarely not worth tuning in for, but we were treated to a scintillating clash at Nowlan Park on Sunday.
The Cats, typically armed with that mental toughness, edged a thrilling League game by the narrowest of margins, 2-22 to 2-21.
Tipp were made to rue a number of wides early on as Richie Leahy snatched a last-minute point. Considering that at one point Tipp trailed 2-13 to 0-12 following two goals in the space of three minutes from Walter Walsh and Luke Scanlon, Michael Ryan’s men deserve plenty of credit for battling back and taking the game right to the death.
Michael Breen was central to Tipp’s second-half resurgence. The Ballina attacker scored two goals in five minutes to set up a nail-biting last quarter as Tipp threw the kitchen sink at Brian Cody’s men.
Michael Breen with his second goal, what a cracker! pic.twitter.com/aor1jdNkyk
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 25, 2018
With Breen on fire and the momentum very much in Tipp’s favour, it looked as though The Premier County could clinch a huge victory against their arch-nemesis. But it wasn’t to be.
Just as Breen had levelled in injury time, Leahy stole the spotlight, being found by TJ Reid – who also had an excellent game – before drilling the winner over the bar.
It was a bitter pill for Tipp and Breen to swallow. It leaves them needing a win against Cork in Thurles next weekend to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-final alive.
Tipperary were missing several key men on Sunday but being edged out in such a manner just hammers home their recent woes against Kilkenny. Since beating the Cats in the 2010 All-Ireland final, Tipp have won just three times in the proceeding 16 encounters, League wins in 2013 and 2015 and, of course, the All-Ireland in 2016.
But it’s testament to the winning mentality that has become synonymous with Kilkenny under Cody, a mentality that shone through at the crucial time in another electrifying affair.
For Breen, it was hard for the 23-year-old to conceal his anguish at full-time. Head hung, he was exhausted and understandably crestfallen. But when the raw disappointment passes, Breen’s confidence will surely be boosted. Considering his contributions, it’s amazing he wasn’t named Man of the Match.
His manager will hope he can produce this kind of form throughout the next few months.
As I keep saying, Michael Breen should be tried full back for Tipp. Unreal there underage, has power and pace. This game is another reminder of why it should be trialled.
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) February 25, 2018
Considering Tipp were down so many first choice players it was a great effort as Padraic Maher and Noel McGrath weren't used at all.
Michael Breen's confidence will be boosted from that.— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) February 25, 2018
