Tipperary 4-14 Cork IT 0-15
Saturday, 19 January 2008 22:57Tipperary booked a place in the Waterford Crystal Cup decider next week after a hard-earned victory for Liam Sheedy's charges over Cork IT at Templemore.
Goals from Lar Corbett (2), Pa Bourke and an Eoin Kelly penalty strike were the deciding scores in what was a competitive game played in wet and windy conditions.
The hosts led by 1-11 to 0-10 at the interval, thanks to a Corbett
goal but Tipperary really took control on the restart to see out an
11-point win. Excellent displays from Kelly, who finished with 1-9,
Corbett and Bourke ensured the home side prevailed.
This game was also notable with goalkeepers from the same club on opposing sides - Gerry Kennedy was between the posts for Tipperary while his Killenaule club-mate Matthew O'Donnell was the students' net minder.
Sheedy's side showed one change from the team announced midweek with Declan Fanning replaced by Eamon Buckley as Paul Curran moved to full-back. Tipperary took the early initiative and early pointed frees from Kelly ensured a 0-02 to 0-00 lead after just three minutes.
A 14th-minute goal from Corbett and good work from Kelly, Bourke and Pat Kerwick handed Tipp a 1-7 to 0-2 advantage but Cork IT responded well. Good free-taking from Ryan Clifford and good work also by Cork's Cathal Naughton helped the students cut the gap to two points with 15 minutes left in the opening half.
Both sides were now playing some excellent hurling, and with defences remaining reasonably tight, Cork could only add two further points before the interval while Kelly kept Tipperary in front from frees and finished the opening half with eight points to his credit.
Early goals on the restart from Corbett and Bourke reaffirmed
Tipperary's dominance and a Kelly penalty strike sealed the issue for the hosts. Tipperary will face either Waterford or Limerick IT in the decider - they meet in the second semi-final tomorrow at Dungarvan (2pm).
