TIPPERARY held off a spirited second half rally by Kilkenny to clinch their place in the final of the Waterford Crystal Five Counties hurling league at Thurles yesterday.
The home county dominated the early exchanges and were seven points clear after 20 minutes. Peter Barry had Kilkenny's first point in the 23rd minute and they did better subsequently but at the interval Tipperary were ahead 0-8 to 0-3.
With almost a second string on duty, Kilkenny threatened very little but the introduction of D J Carey at the interval improved matters and after five minutes Stephen Grehan had a Kilkenny goal that left only two points between the sides.
From this on the tempo of the game picked up considerably building to an exciting finish. Tipperary responded to Grehan's goal with three points in three minutes, but Kilkenny did likewise between the 12th and 16th minutes.
The last quarter was hard fought and it took a fine save from Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins to deny Peter Barry a winning goal for Kilkenny two minutes from the end.
