Cork well in control against Tipperary
Cork 3-30 Tipperary 1-24 This round robin concluding game in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship at Thurles never lived up to expectations on Sunday. Tipperary had the breeze in the first half.
Tipp got the perfect start with Mark Keogh placing Jake Morris for a 1st minute goal. Noel McGrath followed with a pointed free. Jason Forde and Noel McGrath (free) had the home side 1-3 to 0-0 ahead after just 5 minutes. Cork then had a Patrick Horgan pointed free. Conor Lehane with two rapid points closed the gap to a goal 1-3 to 0-3. Conor Stakelum pointed for Tipperary. A foul on Mark Keogh led to a penalty. Noel McGrath’s well taken shot struck the post and was cleared. From the clearance Alan Connolly gained possession and goaled for Cork.
This was a huge turning point in the game. Cork got on top. Conor Lehane and Robbie O’Flynn added points before Darragh Fitzgibbon soloed through and goaled as Cork were ahead 2-5 to 1-4. Noel McGrath kept the home side in touch with a point. In the 17th minute Patrick Horgan pointed a ‘ 65 with Shane Kingston following with a point. Noel McGrath pointed a free after Mark Keogh was fouled. Points by Conor Lehane and Robbie O’Flynn made it 2-9 to 1-6. Seamus Harnedy worked well for Lehane who pointed. Fitzgibbon placed Patrick Horgan for a point with Shane Kingston finding the target as Cork were double scores ahead 2-12 to 1-6.
Michael Breen pointed for Tipperary. Darragh Fitzgibbon worked well for Conor Lehane who struck his 6th point. Cork again moved double scores clear 2-14 to 1-7. In the dying moments Dillon Quirke with a point cut the lead 2-14 to 1-9.
The expected Tipperary revival did not materialize in the second half.
Tipperary introduced Alan Flynn and Patrick ‘ Bonnar’ Maher. It made little difference as Cork continued to do well. Both sides exchanged points with Tipperary coming within 2-17 to 1-12 when Jake Morris pointed. Conor Lehane hit his 7th point with Jason Forde having his 4th as Cork still led 2-18 to 1-13. Noel McGrath pointed a free in the 46th minute. Points by Mark Coleman and Seamus Harnedy made it 2-20 to 1-14. Noel McGrath added another free Lehane and Harnedy replied with rapid points as Cork moved 2-22 to 1-15 clear.
Jason Forde pointed for Tipperary but long range points by Mark Coleman and Shane Kingston opened up a huge lead 2-24 to 1-16. Jason Forde and Mark Coleman swopped a point. Noel McGrath pointed another free.
Tipperary lost Alan Flynn to a red card. Jack O’Connor followed with two points before Tommy O’Connell and Darragh Fitzgibbon worked well for Tim O’Mahony who goaled in the 63rd minute 3-27 to 1-18. Both sides made late substitutions. Noel McGrath (free) and Tim O’Mahony exchanged a point. In the end there was no denying Cork their deserved win. It was a poor day for Tipperary who were never really in contention after their opening five minutes. Cork now qualify as the 3rd team from the Munster group.
Scorers for Cork: Conor Lehane 0-8 (0-1f), Patrick Horgan 0-5 (0-3f. 0-1 ‘65’), Shane Kingston 0-4, Tim O’Mahony 1-1, Alan Connolly 1-10, Mark Coleman 0-3 (0-1f), Robbie O’Flynn 0-3, Seamus Harnedy 0-3, Darragh Fitzgibbon 1-0, Jack O’Connor 0-2.
Tipperary: Noel McGrath 0-13 (0-12f), Jason Forde 0-5,J ake Morris 1-2, Ronan Maher 0-1f, Conor Stakelum 0-1, Dillon Quirke 0-1, Patrick Maher 0-1.
Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), Sean O’Donoghue ( Inniscarra), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), Damian Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), Mark Coleman (Blarney), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s), Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own), Conor Lehane (Midleton), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), Alan Connolly (Blackrock). Subs: Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum) for Patrick Horgan, Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Luke Meade, Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Robbie O’Flynn, Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills) for Robert Downey, Shane Barrett (Blarney) for Conor Lehane.
Tipperary - Barry Hogan ( Kiladangan), Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill), Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields), Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonagh’s), Dillon Quirke (Clonoulty-Rossmore), Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s), Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Eire Óg), Conor Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), Dan McCormack (Borrisoleigh), Michael Breen (Ballina), Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Ger Browne (Cashel King Cormack’s), Jason Forde (Silvermines), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Óg). Subs: Alan Flynn (Kiladangan) for Barry Heffernan, Patrick Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha) for Ger Browne, James Quigley (Kiladangan) for Cathal Barrett (inj), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetouhy) for Michael Breen.
Referee Sean Stack (Dublin).