Under-21 Hurling All-Ireland Final/ Kilkenny 2-14 Tipperary 2-14: Wow! It's hard to recall a hurling match ending with such thunderous excitement in the air - and that's a neutral view. For the Tipperary and Kilkenny supporters in Croke Park yesterday the nerves must still be in shreds and the heads still shaking in disbelief.
For almost 10 minutes Tipperary were poised to collect their first All-Ireland under-21 title since 1995. Kilkenny, three points down, were chasing a goal. Bang! Saved. Bang! Blocked. Bang! Deflected. Then, with seconds left to play, there was one last bang. Goal!
It was such a frenzied score that few in Croke Park knew who exactly hit it. We should have known. The credit goes to Richie Hogan, the 18-year-old cousin of a certain DJ Carey and already billed as the next big name in Kilkenny hurling.
Well, believe the hype.
So that was it. The two teams must go at each other again next Saturday evening, most likely in Thurles. The venue has to be confirmed but Kilkenny were so relieved at the end of it that they've provisionally offered to play it in Thurles.
"We're just so happy to be still in it that we'll play it out there on the M50 if they want us to," said manager Adrian Finan - relief written all over his face.
Tipperary, naturally, left Croke Park somewhat disappointed, having come within seconds of securing the title. In their hearts though they'll sense Kilkenny deserved the replay.
The pace and intensity of the game were fierce, soaring after Niall Teehan burst through for Tipperary's second goal, on 54 minutes - which put them in front 2-14 to 1-14.
Incredibly though, Tipp wouldn't get another shot at goal and the game closed with Kilkenny attacking repeatedly. Hogan and Richie Power had powerful shots, in quick succession, miraculously saved by Gerry Kennedy.
Power later had a 25-metre effort stopped by Kennedy. Seán Horan also made a crucial block, and deep into the three minutes of added time it seemed Tipperary would hold on.
But with the watch reading exactly 63 minutes, Kilkenny captain Michael Fennelly fired the ball toward the Tipperary goal. Hogan and TJ Reid swiped at it, and this time Kennedy had no chance. It all happened so quickly either player could have taken credit, but Reid's honesty ultimately prevailed.
"Yeah, the two of us swiped at it," he said, "but Richie got the connection . . . I'll take it though if you want to give it to me."
James "Cha" Fitzpatrick was among those unsure who had got it. With John Tennyson, Power and four other panel members, he was looking to add the under-21 title to last Sunday's senior success. As time ebbed he thought the double would prove elusive.as
"Sure . . . it didn't look good," he said. "Their goalkeeper was absolutely fantastic, and it was so crowded back there that it was very hard to get the ball past so many bodies.
"I think we left it a bit late to get into the game. But then a lot of this team won a senior All-Ireland just last Sunday, and that does take a lot out of you. We were back training on the Tuesday, and again on the Wednesday. So you'd be fairly wrecked alright. So maybe another week will help us recharge the batteries a little more."
Tipperary weren't expected to last the pace, but they soon found themselves setting it. Against the backdrop of being rank outsiders they forced the very best out of Kilkenny, and a repeat performance in six days' time could well see them finish the job.
Fitzpatrick's free-taking gave Kilkenny first advantage, yet it was obvious Tipperary had dangerous men up front once they got possession - and none more dangerous than Darragh Egan. His free on 20 minutes levelled the scores at 0-5 apiece, and even when Kilkenny moved two points ahead, a trend had developed: Tipperary just weren't going to let them run away with it. James Woodlock and Stephen Willis hustled for everything at midfield, as did David Young and Paddy Stapleton behind them.
Egan levelled things up again on 29 minutes, before a fifth free from Fitzpatrick gave Kilkenny a 0-9 to 0-8 lead heading for the isotonic drinks.
Six minutes into the second half Tipperary moved ahead for the first time, when Egan's 20-metre free found the net, and they worked hard to maintain that lead over the next 10 minutes.
Kilkenny's response came on 49 minutes when Power finished his goal from 25 metres.
That levelled it at 1-13 apiece.
Hogan scored from play, quickly cancelled out by Egan.
And as the game built to its frenzied climax hardly anyone noticed when Kilkenny substitute Maurice Nolan was red-carded.
If only all hurling matches could finish like this.
KILKENNY: L Tierney; K Joyce, J Tennyson, S Cummins; P Hartley, J Dalton, D Fogarty; J Fitzpatrick (0-6, all frees), M Fennelly; TJ Reid (0-2), A Murphy (0-3), P Hogan (0-1); A Healy, R Power (1-1), D McCormack. Subs: R Hogan (1-1) for Healy (40 mins), M Nolan for P Hogan (56 mins), B Beckett for Murphy (58 mins).
TIPPERARY: G Kennedy; P Stapleton, A Byrne, C O'Brien; D Young (0-1), J B McCarthy, S Horan; J Woodlock (0-2), S Lillis (0-3, two frees); R O'Dwyer (0-1), N Teehan (1-1), D Sheppard (0-1); D Ruth, D Egan (1-5, three frees), R McLoughney. Subs: D O'Hanlon for McLoughney, D Hickey for Ruth (both half-time), K Quinlan for McCarthy (50 mins).
Referee: M Haverty (Galway).
