Yesterday's Allianz National Hurling League was better than a crowd of around 8,000 had a right to expect. A wet day had left surface water on the pitch at Nowlan Park and conditions were accordingly difficult.
For most of the match, the hurling was competitive and exciting. A second-half lull gave way to a rousing conclusion in which either side might have won, although in the end neither will feel cheated by the draw.
Both teams were experimental and both Nicky English and Brian Cody will be largely pleased with the performances of their newcomers. DJ Carey withdrew with injury before the match and was replaced by his Gowran colleague, Charlie Carter. By the end of the match, Tipperary had introduced John Leahy for his first appearance of the season.
In the conditions, Kilkenny's direct game worked better than Tipperary's more elaborate approach. Although the visitors looked sharper and more impressive in attack, it was the All-Ireland champions who created the more clearcut chances.
Points from Mark O'Leary and the initially prominent Paul Kelly, playing at wing back, gave Tipp an early lead but in the fourth minute Kilkenny hit the front, a position they largely maintained for three quarters of an hour.
An attack looked to have run out of menace when John Barron hand-passed to John Power, who was surrounded by defenders but the Kilkenny centre forward had the strength to create space for a hand pass inside to Henry Shefflin, who converted the straight-forward goal opportunity to earn Kilkenny a 1-1 to 0-2 lead.
Shefflin, playing at full forward, was to prove a handful for Philip Maher and could have had three goals by half-time. In the 10th minute, a dropping ball from Stephen Grehan sent the Ballyhale man in on goal but he drove the ball right and wide. Then 20 minutes later, Shefflin was again one-on-one but his effort drew a great save from Brendan Cummins.
At the other end, Tipperary combined well in a series of attacks but didn't always make the best of the positions created or the chances that came their way. O'Leary hit two fine points but landed as many wides.
Liam Cahill was being well engaged by Dermot Grogan but broke away for two wonderful points, one the result of nimble footwork after a good ball in from Kelly, the other coming after breathtaking sleight of hand in the left corner.
Both centrefields were experimental but Kilkenny were welcoming back Canice Brennan and he played a solid and influential game, making room for the accomplished striking of partner Aidan Cummins. Tipperary's less experienced pairing of Micheal Ryan and Noel Morris competed enthusiastically but sometimes held up the ball too much.
Eamonn Corcoran was also prominent and did much good work, mopping up in defence and striking decent clearances. He marked Stephen Grehan very well and lent a good deal to the attack going forward. One of the younger names, Lar Corbett, was also in great form, coming into the match for three well-hit points.
Scores were freely swapped up to the interval, by which stage Kilkenny led by a point, 1-6 to 0-8.
Tipperary had their best phase in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 0-6 to 02. The main source of scores was Eugene O'Neill's free-taking but Corbett and Eddie Enright chipped in as well and O'Neill pulled out a good score from play despite toppling over in the process.
Tipperary looked to be in the driving seat now, leading 0-14 to 1-8. They had discovered an urgency that had appeared slightly lacking in the first half.
Assured at the back, where Brendan Cummins was his usual composed self under aerial bombardment, Tipperary were also moving well in attack. Enright might have pushed them into a four-point lead in the 55th minute but his wide triggered a response from Kilkenny.
Substitute Jimmy Coogan and Carter trimmed the deficit to the minimum within a minute. Corbett, producing a marvellous steal from David Kennedy's high ball, swapped points with Aidan Cummins to leave a point between the teams. Shefflin equalised five minutes from time.
Although both sides looked to have settled for the draw, a sudden burst of energy in injurytime nearly brought a winner, with Tipperary substitute John Carroll coming closest.
KILKENNY: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, D Grogan; P Larkin, E Kennedy, P Barry; A Cummins (0-3, 1f, '65), C Brennan (0-1); A Geoghegan (0-1), J Power (0-1), S Grehan; J Barron, H Shefflin (1-4, 4f), C Carter (0-1). Subs: J Coogan (0-1) for Barron (42 mins); JP Corcoran for Grehan (45 mins); S Dowling for Kennedy (54 mins); T Drennan for Carter (65 mins); P Mullally for Brennan (67 mins).
TIPPERARY: B Cummins; T Costello, P Maher, P Ormonde; E Corcoran, D Kennedy, P Kelly (0-1); M Ryan, N Morris; M O'Leary (0-2), E Enright (0-1), T Dunne (0-1); L Cahill (0-2), E O'Neill (0-5, 4f), L Corbett (0-3). Subs: E Kelly for Dunne (58 mins); J Carroll for Ryan (61 mins); J Leahy for O'Leary (66 mins); C Gleeson for Morris (70 mins).
Referee: G Harrington (Cork).
