Tipperary end Cork U20's winning streak

Tipperary 3-20 Cork 0-18

Cork's winning run in the Under 20 hurling championship over the last two years came to an end in Thurles on Friday evening, when a hat-trick of goals from Senan Butler inside the opening 40 minutes saw the Premier County run out comprehensive victors in the oneills. com Munster Under 20 HC. The result means that Tipperary progress to meet Clare, while Cork will wait on other results in the last round of games to determine whether they will finish second or third in the group.

The opening stages on Friday evening saw both teams start brightly. They were level for the third time at 0-3 apiece by the seventh minute – the pick of these scores coming from a well taken sideline cut by Tipperary's Oisin O'Donoghue. As the half went on, it was clear to see Tipperary were certainly up for the fight against a mis-firing Cork side. Conor Martin with a long range point gave the Premier County a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Paddy McCormack, Oisin O'Donoghue and Darragh McCarthy landed points as they moved 0-9 to 0-5 clear by the 14th minute – the Cork points coming from James Dwyer and William Buckley.

Two minutes later, Senan Butler struck for the first of his three goals. Darragh McCarthy's effort for a point came back off the post with an alert Butler on hand to finish the rebound to the net. Cork tried hard to get back into the tie, but some poor shooting in front of the posts proved to be their downfall throughout the opening half. Jack Leahy and James Dwyer had a point each, but it was Tipperary that finished the half in a flurry. Adam Daly split the posts from long range before Darragh McCarthy set up Senan Butler for a cracking goal on the stroke of the half-time whistle, that helped the winners hold a fully deserved 2-10 to 0-7 lead at the interval.

At the break, Cork introduced substitutes Adam O'Sullivan and Timmy Wilk in an attempt to get back into the tie. On the changeover, Tipperary were again quick into the action with Oisin O'Donoghue scoring a great point from out near the sideline, while accurate free taker Darragh McCarthy with a free extended their lead to 2-12 to 0-7.

A much improved Cork side enjoyed their best spell of the game in the opening stages of this half with Diarmuid Healy reeling off two fine points, while Barry Walsh also had a goal scoring chance from a tight angle excellently saved off the line by the Tipperary keeper, Eoin Horgan. At the other end, Tipp had a goal chance of their own cleared off the line, with the resultant clearance leading to Cork's William Buckley scoring a great point. Jack Leahy followed with a free and suddenly the deficit was reduced to seven points, 2-12 to 0-11. It was felt at this stage Cork were right back in the game, but were dealt another blow in the 39th minute when Senan Butler finished to the net following a goalmouth scramble, as Tipperary's lead was increased to 3-12 to 0-11.

There was no way back for Cork from there on with the evenly balanced Tipperary outfit prevailing. In the last 20 minutes Jack Leahy (4), Adam O'Sullivan (2), Oisin O'Donoghue (2), Darragh McCarthy, Timmy Wilk, Cathal English, Senan Butler, Conor Martin, Eoin Horgan, Paddy McCormack and James Dwyer picked off some sublime points for their respective sides, as there was no denying Tipperary the manner of their victory.

TEAMS & SCORERS

Tipperary: Eoin Horgan (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams - 0-1f), Podge Dwyer (Killenaule), Aaron O'Halloran (Carrick Swan), Chris O'Donnell (Ballylooby/Castlegrace), Jack Collins (Ballina), Ben Currivan (Golden Kilfeacle), Mason Cawley (Nenagh Eire Og), Sam O'Farrell (do – 0-2), Adam Daly (KnockavillaDonaskeigh Kickhams – 0-1), Cathal English (Fr Sheehy's 0-1), Conor Martin (Cappawhite – 0-2), Oisin O'Donoghue (Cashel King Cormac's – 0-3), Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara – 0-6f), Paddy McCormack (Borrisleigh - 0-3; 0-1 s/l), Senan Butler (Kilsheelan

Kilcash – 3-1). Subs: Jack O'Callaghan (Portroe) for Mason Cawley, Sam Rowan (Mullinahone) for Senan Butler, Ciaran Foley (Borrisokane) for Sam O'Farrell, Eoin Craddock (HolycrossBallycahill) for Oisin O'Donoghue, Dylan Fogarty (Boherlahan-Dualla) for Cathal English.

Cork: Paudie O'Sullivan (Fr O'Neill's), Darragh O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), Denis Cashman (Bride Rovers), Kevin Lyons (Ballygarvan), James Dwyer (Ballincollig 0-3), Oran O'Regan (Erins Own), Cillian Tobin (Bride Rovers), Mikey Finn (Midleton), Ben Walsh (Killeagh), David Cremin (Midleton), William Buckley (St Finbarr's 0-3), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold 0-2), Tadhg O'Connell (Ballincollig), Barry Walsh (Killeagh 0-1), Jack Leahy (Dungourney - 0-6; 0-5f). Subs: Adam O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig 0-2) for Tadhg O'Connell, Timmy Wilk (Cobh 0-1) for Ben Walsh, James O'Brien (Fermoy) for Oran O'Regan, Peter O'Shea (Erins Own) for Cillian Tobin, Eoin O'Leary (Glen Rovers) for David Cremin.

Referee: Niall Malone (Clare).