13-man Tipp come through epic battle with Kilkenny to claim All-Ireland MHC title

June 29, 2024

Tipperary's Tiernan Ryan celebrates at the final whistle ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Tipperary overcame two first-half red cards to defeat Kilkenny by 2-17 to 3-12 after extra time in a sensational All-Ireland minor hurling championship final at UPMC Nowlan Park.

In the end, it was Billy O’Brien’s goal in the second-half of extra time which swung the decider for a defiant Tipp side as they collected their county’s record 22nd All-Ireland MHC crown at the Kilkenny venue.

James Woodlock’s side had been 0-2 to 0-1 up when they had ace attacker Cillian Minogue sent off on a red card in the eighth minute and, after conceding a Bill McDermott goal some five minutes later, they would see midfielder Darragh O’Hora dismissed after a high challenge on Jack Dollard.

A Eoghan Doughan ‘65’ that ended up in the Kilkenny net softened that blow minutes later, as the sides went in all square on 1-5 apiece at half-time, but Tipp would have a mountainous task after the change of ends.

Robbie Doherty’s goal put the Cats ahead after a shaky restart but they wouldn’t pull away as Jake Mullen’s point with 10 minutes to go would be cancelled out by Jake Donelan Houlihan to force extra time for Tipp.

The sides would puck over two points apiece to stay honours even at the end of first-half extra time and, after falling three behind, Kilkenny got it level again with a Anthony Clifford goal and moved ahead through Cian Byrne’s point but, ultimately, it was O’Brien’s strike with four minutes left which settled the issue for Tipp.


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