Tipperary 6-21 Kerry 0-11TIPPERARY HAD few problems disposing of the challenge of Kerry in the first round of the Munster MHC at Thurles last night.

Daniel Collins pointed for Kerry in the early seconds to give the visitors a short-lived lead but Tipp soon dominated and they eased into a 3-10 to 0-5 interval lead.

Kevin Slattery opened Tipp’s account with a goal and once they got their second goal through Mark McCarthy, it smoothed the home side’s passage.

McCarthy secured their third goal in the 25th minute and Tipperary could have had a couple more but for some fine saves from Kerry goalkeeper Jason Wallice. Kerry’s Michael O’Leary hit a fine point to start the second half scoring for the gutsy visitors.

But John McGrath blasted home a penalty for Tipp after Jack Shelly was felled and McCarthy completed his hat-trick to make it 5-13 to 0-6 by the 38th minute.

TIPPERARY: P Maher; L Mullally, M Breen, J Peters; R Maher, T Hamill, T Kirwan; B Maher (1-1), S Nally; D Fitzelle (0-1), J Shelly (0-3, 0-1 free), S Cahill (0-4, 0-1 sideline), M McCarthy (3-1), J McGrath (1-6, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), K Slattery (1-4, 0-2 frees). Subs: S O'Brien for J Shelly, T Gallagher for M McCarthy, J Loughnane (0-1) for T Hamill, J Lonergan for B Maher, S Ryan for J McGrath.

KERRY: J Wallice; F Horgan, K Skinner, K Carmody; T McElligott, D Fitzell, T Casey; D Collins (0-2), B O'Leary (0-2); M O'Leary (0-3), T Casey, K Fitzgerald; P McGrath, R Heffernan (0-4, 0-3 frees), C Hussey.

Subs: K Hanafin for F Horgan, S Leahy for T Casey.

Referee: J O'Mahony (Limerick).