Tipperary took another major step forward under Liam Cahill with a 2-25 to 1-19 victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, extending their unbeaten run in this fixture to four games. The win puts Tipp on course for their first National League final since 2018, but the game itself will be remembered for a chaotic second half in which four players were sent off in an eight-minute spell.
Here are five key takeaways from the match – and one area of concern Cahill will want to address as Tipp push for silverware.
1. Sam O’Farrell is Becoming a Midfield Powerhouse.
Named Player of the Match, Sam O’Farrell’s performance in Nowlan Park was another statement display in what is shaping up to be a breakout season for the Nenagh Éire Óg man. Making only his second senior start, he dictated the tempo in midfield, won multiple turnovers, and chipped in with three points from play.
O’Farrell’s influence extended beyond scoring—he was heavily involved in Tipp’s possession-based approach, regularly linking defense to attack. His 90% pass completion rate and seven successful tackles highlight his growing importance. With Noel McGrath and Seamus Kennedy still building towards full match fitness, O’Farrell’s work rate, decision-making, and ability to take scores from deep make him a vital cog in Cahill’s evolving team.
2. Darragh McCarthy is Tipp’s New Free-Taking Star.
The Toomevara teenager finished with 0-12 (11 frees), converting at a 92% accuracy rate.
McCarthy was Tipp’s top scorer for the second game in a row, following his 0-10 tally against Cork. In open play, his movement and quick thinking were also evident—he assisted Oisín O’Donoghue’s first-half goal with a perfectly timed pass.
3. Craig Morgan is Back – And Better Than Ever.
After a long spell out with injury, Craig Morgan is looking every bit the player Tipp fans hoped he’d become. He was immense in midfield, covering 10.4 kilometers over the course of the game—the highest of any Tipp player.
He is also the only Tipperary Player to have scored in every Round of the Years National Hurling League.
His 25th-minute goal was pure class, burning past Tommy Walsh before rifling a finish past Eoin Murphy from a tight angle. Morgan wasn’t done there—minutes later, he set up Tipp’s second goal, threading a pinpoint pass to Darragh McCarthy, who laid it off for O’Donoghue to finish.
Defensively, Morgan also stood out. He won four turnovers, made two successful blocks, and completed 15 passes in an all-action display. With his pace, aggression, and ability to contribute in attack, he is becoming a key weapon in Cahill’s tactical setup.
4. The Discipline Battle – Tipp Kept Their Cool(ish) While Kilkenny Lost Theirs.
One of the biggest talking points from this game was the four red cards in eight minutes, a sequence of events that saw both teams reduced in numbers.
- Alan Tynan (Tipperary) – A straight red card for a high challenge on Cian Kenny, drawing comparisons to Richie Hogan’s famous red in the 2019 All-Ireland final.
- David Blanchfield (Kilkenny) – Sent off for an off-the-ball strike on Andrew Ormond immediately after Tynan’s dismissal.
- Mikey Carey (Kilkenny) – Another straight red for pushing out at Darragh McCarthy, though contact appeared minimal.
- Jordan Molloy (Kilkenny) – Shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Bryan O’Mara.
Tipp committed 14 fouls in the match, compared to Kilkenny’s 19, and crucially, they held their discipline after Tynan’s dismissal. While the decisions against Tynan,Carey and Molloy will deservedly have sparked debate, Kilkenny completely lost their shape and focus once they were down to 12 men.
5. Tipp’s Winning Run Over Kilkenny is No Fluke.
Sunday’s victory marked the fourth consecutive time Tipp have beaten Kilkenny in the League or Championship. The last time Kilkenny won this fixture was February 2019—a stat that underlines just how much the balance of power has shifted.
In this match, Tipp had 10 different scorers compared to Kilkenny’s four, showing their superior spread of scoring threats.
Perhaps most significantly, Tipp were ruthless when it mattered. They scored 2-6 from play in the first half while Kilkenny managed just 1-3. Even with the numerical advantage in the second half, Tipp were in control for long stretches, showing they are further along in their development than their old rivals.
1 Area of Concern for Liam Cahill: Tipp’s Game Management in the Second Half.
Despite playing against 12 men for almost 25 minutes, Tipp only outscored Kilkenny 0-8 to 0-4 in that period. They struggled to make the extra numbers count, with sloppy turnovers and rushed shot selection preventing them from completely pulling away.
Tipp hit seven wides in the second half alone, compared to just two before the break. Their shooting efficiency dropped from 72% in the first half to 58% in the second, with several players snatching at chances rather than working the ball into better positions.
It brought back memories of last year’s Minor All-Ireland final, when a Tipp team playing with fewer men held on to beat Kilkenny. But this time, the Premier were the ones struggling to kill off the game.
Final Thoughts
This was another statement win for Tipperary, who now look primed for a National League final appearance.
With Sam O’Farrell, Darragh McCarthy, and Craig Morgan shining, the Premier are developing new leaders across the pitch.
While the second-half chaos will dominate discussions, Cahill will take great encouragement from how his side controlled large parts of the game. If they can iron out their game management issues, this Tipp team could be in a position to banish all memories of 2024.