Deserved win for Tipperary in Munster U20 HC semi-final
Tipperary 2-20 Cork 1-21 This Munster Under 20 HC semi-final at Thurles on Wednesday evening last week was keenly contested. Two goals at vital stages in the first half gave the home side a cushion they held all through.
Cork were first to score when Jack Cahalane placed Sean Walsh for a 2nd minute point. Kyle Shelly levelled from a Tipperary free and the home side missed a goal chance in the 4th minute, before Peter McGarry cut through from the 40 and goaled. Kyle Shelly followed with a free. Luke Horgan pointed for Cork with Jack Cahalane having a good point from a tight angle. In the 9th minute impressive Ed Connolly placed Jack Leamy who pointed - 1-3 to 0-3.
Colin Walsh was put through with a goal chance but his effort went over. Paddy Creedon restored the goal lead in the 11th minute. Brian O’Sullivan landed a fine point for Cork with Jack Cahalane working well for Brian O’Sullivan who sent over. Good play by Paddy Creedon led to a point by Jack Leamy from near the sideline.
Cork again came back within the minimum when Daniel Hogan pointed, to leave it 1-5 to 0-7. In the 14th minute Ben Cunningham levelled from a ‘65. A sideline cut by Jack Leamy was gathered by Ed Connolly who sent over. In the 17th minute impressive John Campion soloed through and goaled, opening up a four point lead - 2-6 to 0-8. Sean Walsh replied with a Cork point. John Campion then made it 2-7 to 0-9.
The momentum continued with the home side. Kyle Shelly pointed a free and Connolly with a very good point, opened up a two goal lead. Eddie Ryan pointed for Tipperary and late points by Kyle Shelly and Jack Leamy had the Premier side 2-12 to 0-9 clear at half-time.
IMPROVEMENT BY CORK
Both sides exchanged early points on the resumption and by the 38th minute Tipperary led 2-13 to 0-14. Paddy Creedon restored the two goal lead in the 43rd minute.
Cork improved a lot, however they still found it hard to break down the Tipperary backline. By the 53rd minute the lead was down to four points (2-16 to 0-18) when Darragh Flynn pointed a free. Diarmuid Healy came on for Cork and did very well, scoring three points.
Cork got the lead down to a goal, however, the home side had three points by Peter McGarry, Paddy Creedon and Jack Leamy as they moved 2-19 to 0-20 clear. Leamy then pointed from near the sideline 2-20 to 0-20. In injury time Diarmuid Healy had his 3rd point. Cork had a goal by Colin Walsh just before the final whistle, but Tipperary held out for a close win.
The winners were best served by John Campion, Peter McGarry, Ed Connolly, Kyle Shelly and Jack Leamy. While for Cork, Brian O’Sullivan, Sean Walsh, Ben O’Connor, Ben Cunningham and Diarmuid Healy did well.
Tipperary now meet Limerick in the Munster final in Limerick.
Scorers for Tipperary: Jack Leamy 0-5 (0-1f), Kyle Shelly 0-5f., John Campion 1-2, Paddy Creedon 0-4, Peter McGarry 1-0, Ed Connolly 0-2, Eddie Ryan 0-1, Michael Corcoran 0-1.
Cork: Brian O’Sullivan 0-4, Colin Walsh 1-1, Ben Cunningham 0-4 (0-3f. 0-1 ‘65), Diarmuid Healy 0-3, Sean Walsh 0-3, Daniel Hogan 0-2, Jack Cahalane 0-1, Luke Horgan 0-1, Ethan Twomey 0-1, Darragh Flynn 0-1f.
Tipperary: Paidi Williams (Kilruane McDonagh’s), Conor Cadell (J K Bracken’s), Conor O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacks), Luke Shanahan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Cathal Quinn (Cashel King Cormack’s), James Armstrong (Thurles Sarsfields), Conor McKelvey (Silvermines), Darragh Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), John Campion (Drom-and-Inch), Ed Connolly (Loughmore-Castleiney), Peter McGarry (St Mary’s Clonmel), Eddie Ryan (Borrisoleigh), Kyle Shelly (Moycarkey-Borris), Jack Leamy (Golden-Kilfeakle), Paddy Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields). Subs: Michael Corcoran (Silvermines) for Conor McKelvey, Colm Fogarty (Lorrha-Dorrha) for Eddie Ryan, Sean Kenneally (Monegal) for Kyle Shelly, Josh Keller (Nenagh Eire Og) for Peter McGarry, Tony Cahill (Drom and Inch) for Ed Connolly (inj).
Cork: Brion Saunderson (Midleton), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), Ciarmhic Smyth (Midleton), Ben O’Connor (St. Finbarr’s), Ethan Twomey (do), Luke Horgan (Glen Rovers), Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk), Cathal McCarthy (Sarsfields), Brian Keating (Ballincollig), Sean Walsh (Carrigtwohill), Ben Cunningham (St. Finbarr’s), Colin Walsh (Kanturk), Daniel Hogan (Sarsfields), Jack Cahalane (capt - St. Finbarr’s). Subs: Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin) for Colin Walsh (inj), Mark Howell (Douglas) for Luke Horgan, Colin Walsh for Brian Keating, Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold) for Ben Cunningham, Darragh O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for Daire O’Leary.
Referee: Niall Malone (Clare).