Tipperary 3-12 Cork 0-23
In a Munster Final that was as intense and as hard fought as everyone predicted beforehand, Cork retained their Munster title in front of a full house in Thurles today. It was not a classic, but Cork will not mind, as they out-hurled the men from the Premier County in the second half, and looked the team to beat in the Championship this year.
The first half started tamely, with both teams probing for a weakness in the opposition. Points were exchanged, with Eugene O Neill to the fore for Tipp, and the ever-dangerous Joe Deane leading the way for the rebels. As the game began to catch fire Cork moved two points clear 0-10 to 0-8, before O'Neill struck for Tipp's first goal, seven minutes before the break. It was a goal Tipp needed, having seen Tommy Dunne’s penalty shot brilliantly stopped on the line, following a foul on Paul Shelley as he bore down on goal.
The sides went in level at half time 1-8 to 0-11, but Cork showed their intent 25 seconds into the second half with a Ben O'Connor point. In a rip roaring half, the sides were level five times, before Cork started to get the upper hand, and they led by three points 0-16 to 1-11, when Tommy Dunne soloed through to goal and level the tie once more.
Tipperary can also reflect on a second penalty miss in the second half, when a subdued John Leahy saw his shot stopped by Brian Corcoran, following a foul on Eugene O'Neill. Cork kept picking off points, and the introduction of Pat Ryan, unlucky to be dropped in the first place, galvanised the Rebels, and they were five points clear when Dunne scored his second goal in the 68th minute, to give Tipp hope. Paul Kelly then reduced the margin to the minimum, but Seanie McGrath had the final say, pointing with the last puck of the game.
So Cork progress to the All-Ireland semi final, and Tipp will have to wonder what they will have to do to better the Leesiders if they meet in September. Cork out-hurled Tipp when it mattered most, but they could not put them away. Tipp will rue the two missed penalties, but all involved admitted that the better team won on the day.
