on 18 august 2002, leinster champions kilkenny faced munster runners-up tipperary in an all-ireland semi-final for the first time since 1958. prior to this meeting kilkenny had only beaten tipperary once in the senior hurling championship in the previous 79 years (tipperary had won 7 of the 8 championship meetings which had taken place since the 1922 all ireland final (a match did not take place until 1923)). peter barry, andy comerford and henry shefflin were all singled out for particular praise, however, the addition of d. j. carey to the kilkenny attack was arguably the principal factor in tipperary's elimination. in real terms, what was crucial ultimately was kilkenny's stronger finish, highlighted by carey's fourth point in injury time.