Kerry 1-6
Tipperary 1-6

by Dan Kearney

It finished honours even in Austin Stack Park as Aishling Moloney inspired Tipperary to a share of the spoils in the TG4 Munster SFC.

Kerry played against a strong breeze in the opening half, but it was Tipperary who took more of their chances despite having less of the possession. After a cagey start to proceedings, Kerry struck first on six minutes when Niamh Carmody’s free found Siofra O’Shea, who under pressure laid off to Rachel Dwyer for the opening point.

Tipperary responded in the eighth as ] Moloney was fouled and converted the free. A goal chance for Kerry on ten minutes ended in a point after Julia Curtin’s effort was parried out for a 45. Tipp took the lead a minute later when Moloney finished low to the net past the onrushing Katie Hannan after a quick counter.

Leah Boyle narrowed the gap to two with a point on 13 minutes. Tipp however edged further ahead with scores from Moloney and Kennedy, but Kerry stayed in touch through two O’Shea frees in the final minutes of the half. At halftime, Tipperary led narrowly 1-3 to 0-4.

With the breeze to their backs Kerry had an ideal start to the second half. After yet another closely fought start, an audacious 40 yard attempt at a point from Niamh Carmody dropped into the back of the net past Lauren Fitzpatrick.

Moloney levelled the tie just six minutes later with a free, as Tipp started to get right back into the tie. Kerry almost waved their second green flag before the end of the third quarter. Carmody again involved and her goal-bound shot was denied by a superb block by Emma Cronin.

Rachel Dwyer restored Kerry’s lead soon after, but again it was the imperious Moloney that responded again, this time with a brilliant effort from a tight angle to make it 1-5 to 1-5 by quarters end.

In the 47th minute Tipp had another chance at goal, Moloney's long-range free dipped dangerously but was expertly tipped onto the crossbar by Kerry keeper Katie Hannan. Kerry pushed ahead once more when O’Shea pointed her first from play in the 49th minute, giving them a narrow 1-6 to 1-5 lead. But again Moloney had the answer, another free splitting the posts in the closing stages, as the sides played out a hard earned draw.

Scorers - Kerry: N Carmody 1-0, S O’Shea 0-3 (2f), R Dwyer 0-2, L Boyle 0-1.

Tipperary: A Moloney 1-5 (4f), C Kennedy 0-1.

Kerry: K Hannan; K O’Connor, E Lynch, C Lynch (capt); C McCarthy, E Costello, A Dillane; A O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, J Lucey, L Boyle; S O’Shea, R Dwyer, J Curtin. Subs: C Evans for J Curtin, R Rahilly for K O’Connor (both half-time), E O’Connor for C McCarthy (44), F O’Donoghue for C Lynch (55), M Higgins for R Dwyer (57).

Tipperary: L Fitzpatrick (capt); N Martin, L Morrissey, E Cronin; S English, M Curley, K Cashman; N Towey, C Kennedy; H Spillane, A Ryan, I Carr; A Moloney, E Cremins, A Fennessy. Subs: A McGuigan for E Cremins (h/t), C English for H Spillane (37), B Condon for K Cashman (44), A R Kennedy for A Ryan, H Brennan for N Towey (both 55).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Cork).

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