Rebels back on track with win over champs

Cork 2-24 Tipperary 1-25

CORK got their hurling league challenge up and running (at the second attempt) last Saturday night seeing off the All-Ireland champions Tipperary by two points at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In front of almost 10,000 hurling fans, the Rebels battled hard throughout and deservedly took the two points on offer ahead of a Tipp side that showed plenty to suggest that they came to win on Leeside.

Tipp lined out for this one with just six of the players that started the 2019 All-Ireland Final however there was still plenty ability on the pitch and the Premier County weren’t shy about showing it. Players of the quality of Pádraic Maher, John McGrath, Jason Forde and Mark Kehoe were making hay in the first half with 10 points between them in the opening 35.

For Cork, Patrick Horgan was busy with 1-3 in the first half (1-9 over all), the goal coming on the stroke of half time from the penalty spot after Robbie O’Flynn had been crudely taken down as he bore down for what would likely have been his second three pointer of the night.

O’Flynn’s early goal came on 10 minutes when we got a glimpse of just what a threat Alan Cadogan poses with a brilliant turn that set up the ever-willing O’Flynn who made no mistake at the near post.

Tim O’Mahony and Aidan Walsh both looked really sharp early on with the former doing well on McGrath, while Walsh was potent in his roving roll around the half forward line however Cork suffered a double blow in the space of five minutes (22 and 26) with the loss of both players to injuries.

Cork held firm to the break and were rewarded with Horgan’s penalty on the short whistle to lead by four at the turn. (2-13 to 0-15).

MAIN MAIN

You could name afew here like Pádraic Maher, AlanCadoganor Mark Kehoe but on thisoccasion the honour must gotoRobbie O’Flynn whowas Cork’s major shining lightonthenight. Never quit, workedhissocks ofandgot his reward on thescoreboard with 1-3. Hopefully this could betheErins Own man’s yearto shine.

TALKING POINT

Cork showed againthatthey are able for some of the strong man stuff when required. The Rebels have been accused ofbucklingin the past when teams try to strong arm them,but on thisnightthe men inred stood up to everything thatwasthrown atthem.

KEY MOMENT

Tipp were first out of the traps after the interval with a brace from Cian Darcy and a double block on Alan Cadogan showed they were ramping up their defence however the Cork attacker got his own back with a classy point moments later (four on the night). Cork still up by three.

Tipperary kept coming with Maher, Kehoe and Niall O’Meara raising white but a monster free from Horgan as well as two close in efforts put Cork at 2-20, up again by four.

Horgan was on fire in the second period and rattled over another couple of scores however Tipp were thrown a lifeline in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty, which was despatched by their keeper Brian Horgan.

The Tipperary goal was particularly cruel on Cork’s shot stopper Patrick Collins who pulled off a magnificent save prior to the penalty only to still see the net bulge behind him.

Four minutes of injury time and a long on field delay (10 minutes) for a serious injury to John O’Dwyer meant this one was a long way from done however a pair of solid saves from Collins and some dogged resistance from all quarters meant that cork secured their first win of the campaign leaving the All Ireland champions pointless after two nail-biting encounters.

Cork will get to rest next weekend before having to hit the road to Westmeath the following weekend where they will be keen to make it two wins on the bounce – dramatically improving their chances of making the last four this season.

CORK: Patrick Collins; Colm Spillane, Sean O’Donoghue, Robert Downey; Chris O’Leary, Tim O’Mahony, Bill Cooper; Damien Cahalane 0-1, Luke Meade 0-1; Seamus Harnedy 0-2, Robbie O’Flynn 1-3, Aidan Walsh 0-1; Alan Cadogan 0-4, Declan Dalton, Patrick Horgan 1-9 (0-8f, 1-0pen) Subs: Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2 for Walsh (21), Mark Coleman 0-1 for O’Mahony (27), Conor Lehane for Dalton (47), Shane Kingston for Meade (61)

This one ebbedandflowed throughout the fixture with Cork almost always level or in front. As or a turning point,Iam not sure there was one however Cork’s goal just before the break from Patrick Horgan’s penalty did give some breathing space as Tipp looked to be setting up for thekill.

TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan 1-0pen; Joe O’Dwyer, Ronan Maher 0-1f, Sean O’Brien; Seamus Kennedy, Paudie Maher 0-3, Alan Flynn 0-1; Paddy Cadell 0-2, Willie Connors; Mark Kehoe 0-4, John McGrath 0-4, Michael Breen; Jason Forde 0-4 (0-3f), Jake Morris 0-2, Cian Darcy 0-2 Subs: Jerome Cahill 0-1 for Cadell (27), Niall O’Meara 0-1 for Breen (34), Seamus Callanan for Darcy (48), Brian O’Meara for Kennedy (53), John O’Dwyer for Forde (65), Paul Flynn for John O’Dwyer (76)

REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford)