Tipperary are up and running after a wonderful 1-14 to 0-13 defeat of Kilkenny in front of 20,000 spectators at Thurles.

The sun came out today and the Tipp men produced some fine hurling to put the holders to the sword.

Liam Sheedy's team led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break thanks to a haul of 1-4 from inspirational captain Eoin Kelly. The sides were deadlocked until Kelly struck with an injury-time goal.

The game started late and Tipp took the lead with two of the first three points. Eoin Kelly (2) and Richie Hogan traded those minors, all from frees. There were no other scores in the first ten minutes.

Points were exchanged three times, leaving Tipp ahead by 0-5 to 0-4. John Tennyson had hit a nice point for Kilkenny, while Kelly registered four of the Premier County's first five scores.

John Mulhall's point for the Cats made it 0-6 apiece as the first half went into stoppage time.

Right at the end of the half, Tipp captain Kelly rattled a goal to the back of the Kilkenny net to give the hosts a three-point cushion.

After the break, Mulhall had his third point as Kilkenny battled back into contention but the home side still led by 1-10 to 0-11 coming into the fourth quarter.

Kelly's free made it 1-11 to 0-11 with 13 minutes left. The sides managed just a point each in the next twelve minutes as exchanges reached championship pace.

PJ Delaney pointed for the All-Ireland champions in the first added minute but the victors replied with an injury-time point of their own before Noel McGrath had the last say for Tipperary, who won by four points. Tweet

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