By Eoghan Cormican, Austin Stack Park

Kerry 0-11 Tipperary 1-7

Kerry have eliminated the reigning Munster champions to secure the county’s first victory at U21 level since 2012, despite playing most of the contest without their full complement of players.

Having entered the contest without seven of their leading players, Kerry were dealt another blow when reduced to 14-men on 22 minutes as midfielder Matthew O’Sullivan was sent to the line after his yellow and black card offences forced referee Kevin Murphy to reach for the back pocket.

In the ensuing play Tipperary midfielder Liam Casey, set-up by Kevin Fahey, slotted the ball beyond ‘keeper Eoghan O’Brien to move the visitors in front, 1-1 to 0-3.

However Tipperary continued to operate with seven in defence despite now enjoying numerical advantage and a pair of Jack Savage frees tied the game at the break, 1-3 to 0-6.

Kerry stepped it up a fair few gears after the interval but couldn't pull away from the visitors.

After a long scoreless period Savage, following a foul on Andrew Barry after 49 minutes, nudged the home outfit in front, but immediately Tipperary replied through Ross Mulcahy.

White flags from Barry O’Sullivan, Michéal Burns and Savage’s sixth free of the night in a three minute spell shoved Kerry into a decisive three-point advantage, and despite Jack Kennedy and a Josh Keane free reducing the gap to the minimum, Kerry deservedly held on.

Scorers for Kerry: J Savage (0-7, 0-6 frees); M Burns (0-2); T Brosnan, B O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Tipperary: L Casey (1-1); J Keane (0-2 frees), J Kennedy (0-2 each); S Quirke, R Mulcahy (0-1 each).

Kerry: E O’Brien (Churchill); Brian Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), C Ó Lúing (An Ghaeltacht), B Sugrue (Renard); T O’Sullivan (Dingle) A Barry (Na Gael), G White (Dr Crokes); M O’Sullivan (St Michael’s Foilmore), G Horan (Austin Stacks); B Barrett (Ardfert), M Burns (Dr Crokes), Brian Ó Seanacháin (Ballydonoghue); T Brosnan (Dr Crokes), E Ó Conchúir (An Ghaeltacht), J Savage (Kerins O’Rahilly’s).

Subs: B O’Sullivan (Dingle) for Horan (HT), C Spillane (Templenoe) for Ó Conchúir (HT), D Roche (Glenflesk) for Brosnan (40 mins), D Foran (St Senan’s for Barrett (42), D O’Donoghue (Spa) for Sugrue (59).

Tipperary: J McDonald (Clonmel Commercials); C O'Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan), J Feehan (Killenaule), D Owens (Moyle Rovers); R Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers), K Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), S O'Connell (Golden-Kilfeacle); P Shanahan (Upperchurch-Drombane), L Casey (Cahir); E Moloney (Drom & Inch), T Nolan (Drom & Inch), J Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle); P Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), S Quirke (Moyle Rovers), J Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials).

Subs: L Boland (Moyle Rovers) for Shanahan (54 mins), B Martin (Kilsheelan-Kilcash) for Nolan (57).

Referee: K Murphy (Cork).