Cork are into their first Munster SFC final since 2021 after defeating Tipperary 4-18 to 1-12 in front of 1,755 spectators at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles.
The Premier County gave it their all and their reward was an early 1-01 to no score lead, but it wasn't to be as John Cleary’s side went on to take control of the proceedings in the second half.
The Rebels only led 1-05 to 1-04 at the break, and substitutions proved to be the difference as Colm O’Callaghan and Conor Corbett got goals and Brian Hurley kicked 0-03.
Chris Óg Jones finished with 2-02 and Steven Sherlock registered 0-07, with attention now focusing on a meeting with Kerry in two weeks’ time at Fitzgerald Stadium.
Tipperary started strong with Sean O’Connor hitting 1-01 inside 15 minutes, while Cork tallied five wides in the same period.
Then came a Sherlock point from play and it was followed by Óg Jones and Luke Fahy putting the ball over the bar. Mark Cronin built on this momentum with a kick pass to Óg Jones that was turned in for their first goal in the 21st minute.
Micheál Freaney responded with a two-pointer for Tipperary from play, making it 1-03 apiece. Sherlock hit back with a free, and O’Connor levelled things once again with a white flag. The St Finbarr’s forward had the final say in the half and Cork went into the break leading 1-05 to 1-04.
Eoin Craddock ensured parity within minutes of the restart, the third time that both sides were level.
Hurley, who replaced Sean McDonnell at half-time, kicked Cork back in front almost straight away, and Tipperary retaliated with a Cian Smith free in the 42nd minute.
The Castlehaven club stalwart put Cork two up with his next strike of a ball, and the orange flag was followed by Ruairi Deane getting in to score.
Suddenly it was 1-10 to 1-07 and Fahy’s second score of the game in the 52nd minute increased the gap.
The Rebels were finally in control, and a Sherlock two-pointer gave them even more breathing room at 1-14 to 1-07.
Fahy got another to keep things ticking over and a goal from O’Callaghan in the 56th minute at the near post pushed Cork further in front at 2-15 to 1-08.
Óg Jones and Corbett rubberstamped the win with close-range finishes past Shane Garland at the Killinan End.
Tipperary: Shane Garland; Jack O'Neill, Eoin O'Connell, Mark Corcoran; Kieran Costello, James Morris, Charlie King; Joe Higgins, Paudie Feehan; Eoin Craddock (0-1), Micheál Freaney (0-02, 1tp), Emmet Moloney; Cian Smith (0-01, 1f), Sean O'Connor (1-06, 1 2tp, 1f), Daithi Hogan (0-1).
Subs: Killian Butler (0-01) for Craddock (51); Paddy Creedon for Smith (51), Paddy O’Keeffe for Moloney (55), Mark Russell for Feehan (55), Micheál Lowry for Morris (61).
Cork: Micheál Aodh Martin; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony, Seán Meehan; Brian O’Driscoll (0-01), Tommy Walsh, Luke Fahy (0-03), Sean Walsh, Ian Maguire; Paul Walsh, Seán McDonnell, Conor Cahalane; Mark Cronin (0-01), Chris Óg Jones (2-02), Steven Sherlock (0-07, 1 2tp, 3f).
Subs: Brian Hurley (0-03, 1tp) for McDonnell (HT); Ruairi Deane (0-01) for Cahalane (HT), Colm O’Callaghan (1-00) for Walsh (47), Conor Corbett (1-00) for Cahalane (55), Sean Brady for Meehan (60).
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).
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