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Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Joe Canning: Kilkenny must get big calls right to be successful again
Kilkenny win so many matches every year that everyone has a clear idea of how they do it. It's never a mystery when they win. They're probably the most predictable team in the country. Last Sunday, all of that went out the window. It wasn't just that they lost, but how they lost: conceding four goals; not scoring a goal; not being able to manage the game against 14 men; surrendering a lead going down the stretch. None of that tallies with the way Kilkenny normally do their business. Goals were the theme of the weekend. Over the two semi-finals, 13 goals were scored. Even Dublin managed two and threatened a couple of others. Kilkenny didn't look remotely like scoring a goal until John Donnelly's shot in stoppage time was blocked on the line by Robert Doyle. The last time Kilkenny failed to score a goal in Croke Park was the 2022 Leinster final, a low scoring game that they won. Before that, you must go back another three years. READ MORE TJ Reid has always been a goal threat throughout his career but that didn't materialise on Sunday. The most effective way for Kilkenny to get the ball into his hand now is to drop it on his head, but there wasn't enough high ball going into him. His free taking was terrific on a tricky day, and he picked off his points from play, but Kilkenny needed to do more to get him into the game. Tipperary's Bryan O'Mara and Ronan Maher compete for a high ball with Kilkenny's TJ Reid and Adrian Mullen. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho They also needed a lot more from Eoin Cody and especially Adrian Mullen. He came up with two points just before he was taken off, but that substitution had been on their minds for a good while before they eventually got Stephen Donnelly on to the field. Cody and Mullen need to lead this Kilkenny attack. Not scoring a goal is a much bigger issue when you concede four. Over the years, Kilkenny have been ruthless in defence of their own goal. That wasn't the case on Sunday. Darragh McCarthy and Jason Forde got through much too easily and Oísin O'Donoghue should never have been allowed get his shot away. All three were brilliant finishes but they weren't well defended. In those situations, you would expect someone to give away a foul. You might say that's cynical but every team thinks like that. The black card penalty is obviously a deterrent but if the move gets that close to goal somebody hasn't done their job farther out. The John McGrath goal that gave Tipp a lifeline in the first 15 minutes was different. I thought it was actually well defended but the ball just broke to McGrath and his finish was top class. He used the wall of players in front of him as a shield and Eoin Murphy didn't have a clear sight of McGrath as he was striking the ball. That was pure class. This Kilkenny team are at a crossroads now. The same bunch of core players have been around for the last few years without winning an All-Ireland. In that time, they've won six Leinster titles in a row, but I don't know how much value Kilkenny people would place on that. I'd say it's a bit like Kerry with the Munster football championship; it only matters when they don't win it. In Kilkenny, just like Kerry, the year is only a success if you win the All-Ireland. Of the four teams left last weekend, Kilkenny had by far the most experience of playing big games in Croke Park, and yet they came up short again. Apart from Richie Reid, who was a sub goalie in 2015, Eoin Murphy and TJ Reid were the only players in the Kilkenny set-up last weekend who had All-Ireland medals. The worrying thing for them is that when you looked through the subs it was hard to see players who could change the game. In the last couple of years, Richie Hogan, Walter Walsh, Cillian Buckley and Conor Fogarty have all retired and with them a wealth of experience left the dressingroom. They all did a stint as impact subs before they finished up. Kilkenny had a good under-20 team this year but were well beaten by an exceptional Tipperary team in the final. It is extremely unusual that three players from that team have made a breakthrough with the Tipp seniors this season – McCarthy and Sam O'Farrell starting, O'Donoghue coming on – because it is a huge jump to make. Tipperary's Darragh McCarthy celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Kilkenny last weekend. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho None of the Kilkenny under-20s were able to make that leap, but Kilkenny will have to try to bring some of them through next year. If Derek Lyng stays on as manager he will have some big calls to make. If Kilkenny come back with the same team, it's hard to see them winning the All-Ireland next year. Liam Cahill made a lot of changes since last year. He took a chance on some young players, and his faith has been rewarded. Darragh McCarthy hasn't been scoring much from play in recent games, but he worked very hard last Sunday and held up the ball. His discipline is obviously something that needs to be cleaned up. You'd often hear fellas saying if you're going to get a yellow card or a red card, make sure it's a good one. Neither of his bookings last Sunday were good. The first one was worse than the second, but they were both needless. For a young player, especially a forward, two red cards in the same year is not good. He needs to learn fast. There's going to be a massive buzz around both counties for the next 10 days. I'm sure Tipp and Cork will have A versus B games this weekend and in my experience the B team often wins those matches because those players have nothing to lose. Some of them are only trying to break into the match day 26. At this stage Cork and Tipp don't have any secrets from each other. Coming up with something new on Sunday week could swing it.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Liam Cahill's crucial switch and how Tipperary undid Kilkenny to hit four goals
Tipperary deserved this victory for their fight, spirit and attitude, but Kilkenny will feel aggrieved about the scoreboard error. It's a big mistake to make and someone should have corrected it. Normally the stats people would be on that too. My honest opinion is the game is won on the field and knowing Kilkenny as I do, they are the type of team that I don't think will contest it. I can see their annoyance that if they'd known the proper scoreline at the time, they would probably have shot a few points and they could have got back into the game, rather than going for a goal. That shouldn't have happened in an All-Ireland semi-final. If I was Kilkenny I might also be a small bit aggrieved at a few soft enough frees, particularly in the second half But credit to Tipperary, their work rate and fitness has been incredible all year and you could see more evidence of it here. Kilkenny will be kicking themselves. They won't be happy with certain things They dominated the first 15 minutes, but they had a number of wides that should have been over the bar. John Donnelly was effective going back deep, while Cian Kenny and Billy Ryan were going well, and it looked good. But goals changed everything and Kilkenny seemed porous at the back. Huw Lawlor was decent but he was pulled out of the middle a number of times and that exposed them. If there was a transfer market in hurling one of the first defenders I would go after is Mikey Butler, but he wasn't his usual self here and was at fault for a couple of the goals. Tipp could ever have had another goal or two, but when Paddy Deegan went back there after half-time they looked more solid. Deegan only made one mistake and it led to Tipp's fourth goal when he threw up the ball. Kilkenny allowed Tipp that short puck out and it led to the second goal with Bryan O'Mara delivering the ball inside. When you get a short puck out like that away, you are able to avoid the opposition half back line. Tipp were getting it short and their goalie, Rhys Shelly was driving it over the half back line, or they were getting it short to midfield and getting a score. Kilkenny let that happen for the whole game and you can't do that. Tipp's off the ball running was incredible though. They ran at goal, and when Jake Morris goes at you, you are in big trouble. I thought one of the best things Liam Cahill did all day was putting Jason Forde on the frees. His very first free was a tough one, out on the sideline and it went straight over the bar. He was impeccable on the frees after that. Darragh McCarthy missed two that he shouldn't have missed. He is a really good player, but one thing I've noticed is he's making a few flicks and chops that he doesn't need to make. The one bit of advice you'd give him is battle hard and work hard, but get that out of your game. He's done it a few times now and he doesn't need to do it but he will be back to play in the biggest game of the year. Kilkenny's puck outs in general were a disappointment. They won very few long ones, which is very unlike Kilkenny. Maybe they should have brought TJ Reid out to the half forward line for them. They started the second half pretty well with Eoin Cody and Mossy Keoghan doing damage. But when Tipp had the man sent off I was shocked at how many long balls Kilkenny hit. They seemed to be pumping ball inside for no reason. They've adapted their game over the last few years and were running more ball. I was surprised they didn't work the ball more, especially for the last 15 minutes with an extra man. In general you have to say, fair play to Liam Cahill. He has turned around a situation where Tipp were not competitive. His head was on the block in Tipperary. He has responded and got the team to play really well for him and that's some turnaround and achievement. The introduction of Noel McGrath and Oisin O'Donoghue was important. I rate O'Donoghue. He's a big strong lad and he can finish. Again, that Tipp bench made the difference. . Cork will be favourites for the All-Ireland. No doubt about that, but Tipperary have shown all year that they will fight hard and it will be no different in the final.
The Journal
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The Journal
14-man Tipperary defeat Kilkenny in dramatic All-Ireland semi-final clash
The 42 Reports from Croke Park Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 0-30 TRAILING ON THE scoreboard by a point and then hit by the dismissal of forward Darragh McCarthy, Tipperary's prospects seemed on the slide in today's All-Ireland semi-final. Yet they hung in contention and stunned Kilkenny to advance as substitute Oisin O'Donoghue crashing home a terrific 69th minute goal. That pushed Tipperary ahead and they defended heroically in injury-time, Robert Doyle blocking a John Donnelly shot on the line late on, as they set up a final meeting with Cork on 20 July. More to follow… Kilkenny's Cian Kenny and Conor Stakelum of Tipperary. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-5 (0-4f), Darragh McCarthy 1-2 (0-2f), John McGrath 1-2, Jake Morris 0-4, Oisín O'Donoghue 1-0, Eoghan Connolly 0-3, Conor Stakelum 0-3, Noel McGrath 0-1, Sam O'Farrell 0-1. Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-11 (0-8f, 0-1 '65), Martin Keoghan 0-6, Jordan Molloy 0-4, Cian Kenny 0-2, Adrian Mullen 0-2, Eoin Cody 0-2, Billy Ryan 0-2, John Donnelly 0-1. Tipperary 1. Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) 4. Michael Breen (Ballina), 6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, captain), 3. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs) 7. Bryan O'Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill), 5. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 2. Robert Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore), 8. Willie Connors (Kiladangan), 24. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) Advertisement 10. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg), 11. Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), 12. Sam O'Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg) 15. Jason Forde (Silvermines), 14. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), 13. Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara) Subs 26. Alan Tynan (Roscrea) for Ormond (temp) (29) Ormond for Tynan (31) 21. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) for John McGrath (50) 26. Alan Tynan for O'Farrell (53) 25. Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Connors (57) 22. Oisín O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for Stakelum (63) 18. Seán Kenneally (Moneygall) for Ormond (70) Kilkenny 1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore) 2. Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels), 4. Shane Murphy (Glenmore), 3. Huw Lawlor (O'Loughlin Gaels) 5. Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), 6. Richie Reid ( Shamrocks Ballyhale), 7. Paddy Deegan (O'Loughlin Gaels) 8. Cian Kenny (James Stephens) 9. Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels) 11. Adrian Mullan (Shamrocks Ballyhale). 12. Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), 15. Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks) 10. John Donnelly (Thomastown), 14. TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 13. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan) Subs 18. David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Shane Murphy (half-time) 23. Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown) for Mullen (66) 20. Killian Doyle (Emeralds) for Kenny (70) Referee: James Owens (Wexford) Written by Fintan O'Toole and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won't find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women's sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here .
RTÉ News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Derek Lyng rues Cats' failure to dig claws in when on top of Tipperary
An unwanted record for Kilkenny. Sunday's semi-final exit means their wait for Liam MacCarthy will extend to 11 years, the longest since hurling's roll-of-honour leaders first claimed the All-Ireland title in 1904. Derek Lyng, a six-time winner under Brian Cody as a player, led the Cats to the final in his first year after inheriting the throne in 2023, but saw his team depart at the last-four stage for the second year in a row after a 4-20 (not 4-21) to 0-30 defeat to Tipperary at Croke Park today. The six-in-a-row Leinster champions had recovered from a half-time deficit of 3-11 to 0-16 to lead against 14 men after Darragh McCarthy was sent off but let it slip as their old rivals fought back to win with a stunning goal from Oisín O'Donoghue. "It's a tough one to take," Lyng told RTÉ Sport, speaking before it emerged Kilkenny had lost by two points rather than the three displayed on the scoreboard. "It will be a tough one to take for Kilkenny supporters, and the players as well. They're a devastated group in there. "When you concede three [goals] before half-time, you're always going to be under pressure. I thought we started the game very well. We were managing the game pretty well to that point, and maybe a sense of panic when the first goal went in, I'm not sure. "But credit to our players, I thought they responded really well, particularly in the second half. It looked like we got control of the game again. "But conceding the fourth goal, you're going to have to do an awful lot to win a semi-final when you concede four. I would have been disappointed with the goal. I think we had the ball, we lost the ball, had it again maybe. "Sometimes when you go down a man, the effort just ups and you chase everything down. We weren't urgent enough then to use the spare man better." Kilkenny's points total was a record in a semi-final that didn't go to extra-time but they rarely threatened the net, apart from a late John Donnelly effort that Robert Doyle cleared off the line. Full-time: Kilkenny 0-30 Tipperary 4-20 - It's Tipperary who will take on Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final after late drama where Robert Doyle makes a last-ditch save on the line to deny John Donnelly. — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 6, 2025 Whether extra-time would have been mistakenly played or a one-point win to the Cats confirmed is a scenario the GAA will be relieved didn't occur. "Disappointed with that [the lack of goals]," Lyng admitted. "It was a game I felt we were going to need maybe a goal or two as well. That's credit to Tipperary as well and how they defended. "Overall, 30 points is not bad shooting at all. If I was asked before the game, if we hit 30 points, we would have said we wouldn't have been too far off it. Unfortunately, it's just a few too many let in the other side. "I felt in the second half we kind of let Tipperary back into the game a few times with a few frees. We're not criticising anybody, we got our own frees as well. "And maybe our touch just deserted us at crucial times and gave a little bit of momentum back to Tipperary. It's at those times, you really need to have that killer instinct and just get a score or two to justify when you're dominating their puck outs and that. "Ultimately, it wasn't good enough at the end. At the same time, our players kept going, kept fighting. John [Donnelly] had a shot at the end, with a bit of luck it could have went in. But that's the game." Kilkenny manager Derek Lyng admits that he's disappointed with some of the scores and frees his side conceded in their All-Ireland SHC defeat to Tipperary. #SundayGame #RTEGAA — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 6, 2025 Lyng remains confident that there is an All-Ireland in this team in the near future. "They're a great group of players and it's just fine margins. I thought, to a man, they fought really diligently in the second half. " I'm very proud of the effort our players put in all year. "There's players coming in that dressing room as well who didn't play today and lads that came on and there's a big future ahead for a lot of them as well. "Unfortunately, sport is tough at the highest level and you just have to take that on the chin. We have to learn from it and those lads have to get back."
The 42
06-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
14-man Tipperary defeat Kilkenny in dramatic All-Ireland semi-final clash
Tipperary 4-21 Kilkenny 0-30 TRAILING ON THE scoreboard by a point and then hit by the dismissal of forward Darragh McCarthy, Tipperary's prospects seemed on the slide in today's All-Ireland semi-final. Yet they hung in contention and stunned Kilkenny to advance as substitute Oisin O'Donoghue crashing home a terrific 69th minute goal. That pushed Tipperary ahead and they defended heroically in injury-time, Robert Doyle blocking a John Donnelly shot on the line late on, as they set up a final meeting with Cork on 20 July. More to follow… Kilkenny's Cian Kenny and Conor Stakelum of Tipperary. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-5 (0-4f), Darragh McCarthy 1-2 (0-2f), John McGrath 1-2, Jake Morris 0-4, Oisín O'Donoghue 1-0, Eoghan Connolly 0-3, Conor Stakelum 0-3, Noel McGrath 0-1, Sam O'Farrell 0-1. Scorers for Kilkenny: TJ Reid 0-11 (0-8f, 0-1 '65), Martin Keoghan 0-6, Jordan Molloy 0-4, Cian Kenny 0-2, Adrian Mullen 0-2, Eoin Cody 0-2, Billy Ryan 0-2, John Donnelly 0-1. Advertisement Tipperary 1. Rhys Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris) 4. Michael Breen (Ballina), 6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields, captain), 3. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs) 7. Bryan O'Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill), 5. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs), 2. Robert Doyle (Clonoulty-Rossmore), 8. Willie Connors (Kiladangan), 24. Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) 10. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg), 11. Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), 12. Sam O'Farrell (Nenagh Éire Óg) 15. Jason Forde (Silvermines), 14. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), 13. Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara) Subs 26. Alan Tynan (Roscrea) for Ormond (temp) (29) Ormond for Tynan (31) 21. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney) for John McGrath (50) 26. Alan Tynan for O'Farrell (53) 25. Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields) for Connors (57) 22. Oisín O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs) for Stakelum (63) 18. Seán Kenneally (Moneygall) for Ormond (70) Kilkenny 1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore) 2. Mikey Butler (O'Loughlin Gaels), 4. Shane Murphy (Glenmore), 3. Huw Lawlor (O'Loughlin Gaels) 5. Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), 6. Richie Reid ( Shamrocks Ballyhale), 7. Paddy Deegan (O'Loughlin Gaels) 8. Cian Kenny (James Stephens) 9. Jordan Molloy (O'Loughlin Gaels) 11. Adrian Mullan (Shamrocks Ballyhale). 12. Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan), 15. Eoin Cody (Ballyhale Shamrocks) 10. John Donnelly (Thomastown), 14. TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 13. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan) Subs 18. David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge) for Shane Murphy (half-time) 23. Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown) for Mullen (66) 20. Killian Doyle (Emeralds) for Kenny (70) Referee: James Owens (Wexford)
