McGrath secures epic win for Tipp

MUNSTER MFC SEMI-FINAL Tipperary 2-12 Kerry 3-8:LIAM McGRATH kicked a point in the sixth minute of injury-time to give Tipperary a sensational win over hot-favourites Kerry in a pulsating Munster MFC semi-final at Semple Stadium last evening.

Tipperary came from 10 points behind at half-time to go ahead with a minute to play. Kerry recovered to equalise deep into injury- time but then McGrath sent Tipp fans in the 1,036 attendance into ecstasy with the final point.

Wind-aided Kerry blitzed Tipperary with three goals in an eight minute spell in the first quarter. A mistake by Tipp goalie Gearóid Slattery presented Kerry’s Pádraig Boyle with their first goal in the seventh minute. Two minutes later, Jamie Moriarty fired home a second and Ciarán Keating had a third as Kerry went 11 points clear.

At half-time Kerry led 3-6 to 0-5 and looked home and dry. It took Tipperary 11 minutes of the second half to start their extraordinary rally but Michael Quinlivan’s goal brought Tipperary to life. Five unanswered points followed as Tipp cut the lead to two points with eight minutes to go.

Sub Seán McCarthy had Kerry’s first score of the half in the 56th minute but a minute later Colman Kennedy grabbed a levelling goal for Tipperary. Michael Quinlivan put Tipp ahead in the 59th minute but Kerry’s Ciarán Keating equalised before McGrath struck again.

TIPPERARY: G Slattery; N O'Sullivan, C O'Sullivan, S Kennedy; A McGuire, D Fitzell, B Maher; S O'Brien (0-1), D Butler; I Fahey(0-4), G Henry (0-1), D Lonergan; L McGrath (0-2), M Quinlivan (1-1), TJ Ryan (0-1). Subs: P Quirke(0-1) for Butler; C Kennedy (1-1) for Lonergan; C O Riordan for McGuire; J Lonergan for Henry.

KERRY: S Murphy; P Ó Sé, T Morley, C Fitzgerald; M O'Connor, R Murphy, K Murphy; G O'Leary, S Keane; I McCarthy, P Boyle(1-0), J O'Donoghue (0-2); J Moriarty(1-1), C Keating (1-2), K McCarthy (0-2); Subs: N Sheehy for O'Donoghue; S McCarthy (0-1) for I McCarthy.

Referee: J Bermingham, Cork