Cool Kelly there to bury Toome

Mullinahone ... 1-15 Toomevara ... 1-14 In a sensational finish to the Tipperary senior hurling semi-final at Thurles yesterday, county star Paul Kelly pointed a 65 in the last minute to give Mullinahone a shock win over holders Toomevara.

Kelly's point crowned a great personal performance as it was he who inspired the underdogs to come from behind and wreck Toomevara's bid for a record- equalling five titles in a row.

Toomevara looked likely winners for much of the way but a persistent Mullinahone never let them settle. A Tommy Dunne goal from a 20-metre free in the 25th minute put Toomevara ahead, 1-5 to 0-3, but Mullinahone never lost their composure and on the stroke of half-time Pat Croke netted for them off a Kelly free to leave it all square at the break, 1-6 each.

With the fresh breeze to aid them in the second half, Mullinahone were poised for victory but it was still Toome who set the pace. Twice they opened a three-point lead but each time Mullinahone got back on terms.

With the sides level at 1-14 each and four minutes to go, extra time seemed likely but Kelly, who had a stormer for Mullinahone, showed his class when coolly slotting over a 65 in the last minute to put his side ahead.

Michael Bevans had a late chance from an acute angle for Toome but he sent it wide and the champions went crashing out of the title race.

It was a great win for Mullinahone who have never won the championship.

Apart from Kelly they had strong displays from Paul Curran, Pat Croke, Eoin Kelly, Ky Vaughan and Dermott Hackett Toomevara were left to rue missed chances from frees and play and a goal by Eoin Brislane in the 13th minute when he was awarded a free after breaking through. Terry Dunne, Benny Dunne, John O'Brien, Philip Shanahan and Eoin Brislane were their best players.

Scorers: Mullinahone - P Croke 1-8; E Kelly, P Kelly 0-3 each; B O'Meara 0-1; Toomevara - T Dunne 1-4; K Dunne 0-4; J O'Brien 0-3; E Brislane 0-2; W Ryan O-1.