Tipperary 0-10 Kerry 0-16
"A good workout," was how Kerry boss Eamonn Fitzmaurice described this McGrath Cup victory against home team Tipperary after seeing his men rack up 16 points in challenging conditions.
What was technically a meaningless game as both counties were out of overall contention in the competition was nevertheless played at a high tempo throughout the 70 minutes, with Tipp never letting their more decorated counterparts get too far in front.
A 12-minute period in the first half, when Kerry put over five points on the bounce, was what effectively charted the course of this match and the second half saw Fitzmaurice empty the bench to give as many as possible some game time before the arrival of the national league.
Barry John Keane and Johnny Buckley looked sharp up front throughout, while Tommy Walsh shaded the centrefield stakes, with Fionn Fitzgerald and Padraig O'Connor showing some class in defence.
Tipperary: C Kenrick, C O'Shaughnessy, J Feehan, C McDonald, J O'Callaghan, R Kiely (0-1), S Leahy, A Maloney (0-1f), N O'Donovan, B Fox (0-1), M Dunne, J Keane, P Acheson (0-1), L Casey (0-3), B Hewitt (0-2 0-1f). Subs: D Bargerie for C McDonald (42m), D Butler (0-1) for A Maloney (54m), D Leahy for R Kiely (58m), S Quirke for L Casey (64m).
Kerry: B Kealy, B Ó Beaglaoich, M Griffin, F Fitzgerald, P Murphy (0-1), K Young, P O'Connor, D Moran (0-2 0-1f 0-1 45), T Walsh, P O'Connor (0-2), J Buckley, J O'Sullivan (0-1), BJ Keane (0-5 0-4f), A Fitzgerald (0-3), S O'Brien. Subs: B Kelly for B Kealy (HT), J Lyne for D Moran (45m), W Guthrie for P O'Connor (51m), T O'Sullivan for J Buckley (53m), C Cox (0-2 0-1f) for BJ Keane (53m), P O'Sullivan for P Murphy (55m).
Referee: Kevin Murphy (Cork).
Limerick 0-7 Waterford 2-7
There was precious little other than pride to play for at Rathkeale but Waterford were more than happy to earn victory in a low scoring affair.
Goals in each half by Donal Breathnach and Paul Whyte gave Waterford victory in a game in which Limerick's Sean McSweeney was black carded after 42 minutes.
Two pointed frees by Sean McSweeney had Limerick in front and Danny Neville had the first score from play after fourteen minutes.
Donal Breathnach had Waterford’s first score from play but by then Limerick were on to their fourth point, again scored by Neville.
Some superb build-up play in which six players were involved ended with Breathnach getting a Waterford goal to leave it all square at halftime, Limerick 0-4 Waterford 1-1.
Waterford though were by far the stronger side in the second half which they won 1-6 to 0-3 with the second goal being scored by White coming after 50 minutes.
Limerick: D O'Sullivan; S O'Dea, G Noonan, C Moran; S Cahill, I Corbett 0-1, P Hannan; B Fanning, D Treacy; D Neville 0-2, J Lee, C Sheehan; S McSweeney 0-2 (1f), I Ryan, J Naughton (f),
Subs: J Kelly for Lee, S Kelly 0-1 for Ryan (47), T Giles for McSweeney (BC) 42.
Waterford: S Enright; T O'hUallachain, T O'Gorman, M O'Gorman; R O'Ceallaigh, J McGrath, S Prendergast; C Prunty 0-1, T Prendergast 0-1; D Breatnach 1-2 (0-1f), M O'Halloran, D Allen; S Corcoran, JJ Hutchinson, P Whyte 1-3.
Subs: P Hurney for Corcoran.
Referee: D Grogan, Tipperary.
*The Final of the McGrath Cup - Munster Senior Football League between Cork and Clare will be played in the Mallow GAA Complex on next Friday, 22nd January 2016 at 7.30 pm.
