Final woe for Kilkenny as Tipperary win All-Ireland Under-20 title

A three goal second half saw Tipperary deservedly take the O'Neill's.com All-ireland Under 20 title as they overcame Kilkenny in front of a big crowd at UPMC Nowlan Park.

A pair of efforts from full forward Paddy McCormack as well a further goal from the excellent Conor Martin proved to be the undoing for the home side and there could be no complaints with the Premier County the better side throughout.

Marty Murphy did find the net in stoppage time for the Cats but outside of himself and Michael Brennan who contributed 11 points in total, all of the big displays were in a blue and gold jersey.

Fresh from losing out in last year's final at the same venue, Brendan Cummins's oufit were out to make amends and after a scrappy opening where nerves looked to play a part, they were the ones who took control as they 0-8 to 0-4 approaching the end of the first half with Darragh McCarthy, Paddy McCormack, Cathal English and Conor Martin all pointing for the winners.

Murphy and Brennan were Kilkenny's sole scorers at that stage but they did rally with the wind at their backs as Brennan continued to knock over the frees and Jeff Neary also flighted over a nice score from play as just two points seperated the teams at the break,  (0-10 to 0-8).

Despite early second half scores from Murphy and Brennan, Kilkenny were soon rocked when Paddy McCormack got the opening goal of the game in 39th minute and Kilkenny were left chasing from that juncture with McCormack and Conor Martin both getting further goals to dent the Cats challenge even further.

Kilkenny kept things honest with Greg Kelly and Ed McDermott getting points before Marty Murphy grabbed a late goal to make things respectable on the scoreboard.

In the end it was Tipp's day as the majority of the 14,455 attendance celebrated a 12th All-Ireland crown at this grade that sees them join Kilkenny in joint second place on the overall roll of honour.

Teams and Scorers

Tipperary: Paddy McCormack (2-1); Conor Martin (1-4); Darragh McCarthy (0-5, 5fs); Oisin O'Donoghue (0-3); Cathal English, Adam Daly, Sam O'Farrell (0-2 each)

Kilkenny: Michael Brennan (0-11, 8fs); Marty Murphy (1-2); Ed McDermott, Jeff Neary, Greg Kelly (0-1 each)

Tipperary: Eoin Horgan; Cathal O'Reilly, Aaron O'Halloran, Podge O'Dwyer; Adam Ryan, Jim Ryan, Sam O'Farrell; Joe Egan, Adam Daly; Cathal English, Conor Martin, David Costigan; Darragh McCarthy, Paddy McCormack, Oisin O'Donoghue.

Subs: Cormac Fitzpatrick for Costigan, 51 mins; Mason Cawley for Egan, 54 mins; Jamie Ormond for Martin, 57 mins; Senan Butler for McCormack, 59 mins; Paddy Phelan for Daly, 60 mins.

Kilkenny: Stephen Manogue (James Stephens); Ivan Bolger (Graignamanagh), Rory Garrett (Fenians), Darragh Vereker (Glenmore); Timmy Kelly (Bennettsbridge), Eoghan Lyng (Rower Inistioge), Cathal Hickey (St Lachtain's); Tom McPhillips (Dicksboro), Jeff Neary (Graigue Ballycallan); Ed Lauhoff (James Stephens), Aaron McEvoy (Graigue Ballycallan), Michael Brennan (Erin's Own); Ed McDermott (James Stephens), Marty Murphy (Tullogher Rosbercon), Rory Glynn (Clara).

Subs: Anthony Ireland Wall (Danesfort) for McEvoy, 40 mins; Jack Dollard (Glenmore) for McPhillips, 50 mins; Greg Kelly (O'Loughlin Gaels) for Hickey, 52 mins; Sean Hunt for McDermott, 54 mins; James Hughes for Glynn, 59 mins.

Referee: Shane Hynes (Galway)