By Michael Moynihan, Páirc Uí Rinn
Cork 1-14 Tipperary 1-11
A sharper Cork side, spearheaded by the impressive Damien Gore and Mark Buckley up front, had a touch too much class for Tipperary in this Munster MFC quarter-final in Páirc Uí Rinn.
Between them Gore and Buckley supplied 0-13 of Cork’s total, and their ability to get scores ultimately separated the two teams.
The home side defended the Blackrock end goal in the first half and got off to a fine start – after an early Damien Gore point, Colm O’Callaghan soloed through for a well-taken goal. Two more Gore points and Cork were 1-3 to 0-1 up on only eight minutes.
Cork might have had another goal on eleven minutes, when O’Callaghan broke through again, but Jack Dolan in the Tipp goal saved well.
The men in red looked smaller physically than their opponents, but a smart, hard-working half-forward line and good linking play by their midfield gave them the upper hand early on.
On fifteen minutes Tipp had their second point, a Michael Barlow free, and midfielder Conor Cashman burst through with another from the kick-out. That settled the visitors and Cashman then landed a free from long-range to make it 0-4 to 1-4 on sixteen minutes. The Premier County’s powerful midfielders came into the game, and their inside forwards began to show for the ball, putting pressure on their markers.
The game slackened after that score, with neither side finding their range for quite a while until Daire Egan ended the drought, for Tipperary, in the 25th minute; Kevin O’Donovan replied for Cork two minutes later.
Tipperary wing-back Colin English ranged upfield late in the half to cut the deficit to two, but Cork won another free in front of goal as the game edged into added time, and Damien Gore hit his fourth of the half to make it 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.
On the resumption Mark Buckley hit two fine points for Cork to push them five ahead before Gore added a better point and a free – four minutes into the second half and Cork were seven up, 1-10 to 0-6.
Sub. Shane Ryan opened Tipp’s second half account with a free, then they goaled – John Lyons made good ground down the wing, then passed across for midfielder Conor Cashman to punch home: 1-7 to 1-10 on 38 minutes.
Tipp then hit two more, Lyons from play and Hyland (free) to cut Cork’s lead to the minimum, but Gore pointed another free for the Leesiders, who then rattled the crossbar with a speculative Buckley effort.
Tipp full-back Paudie Feehan stormed upfield for a point, which meant the visitors were again just one behind going into the last ten minutes; Cashman duly levelled matters from a 45, only for Gore to hit yet another free and edge Cork ahead.
Cork turned Tipp over just afterwards and Buckley hit another good score to put two between them. Cork could have made it safe when O’Donovan had a goal chance, but Feehan somehow stopped the ball on the line and raised the siege.
Buckley, inevitably, hit a fine point in injury time to stretch Cork’s lead to three, and Tipperary never looked like working the goal that would send the game to extra time.
Teams and Scorers
Scorers for Cork: D. Gore (0-6 frees) 0-8; M. Buckley 0-5; C. O’Callaghan 1-0; K. O’Donovan 0-1.
Scorers for Tipperary: C. Cashman (0-2 frees, 0-1 45) 1-4; S. Ryan (free), P. Feehan, C. English, B. Hyland (free), D. Egan, J. Lyons, M. Barlow (free) 0-1 each.
CORK: M. White (Clonakilty), D. Scannell (Ahan Gaels), A. McCarthy (St. Finbarr’s), L. O’Donovan (vice-captain)(Clonakilty), T. Corkery (Cill na Martra), N. Walsh (c)(Douglas), J. McCarthy (Carrigaline), J. Ryan (Sliabh Rua), C. Foley (Western Gaels/Kilmichael), B. O’Gorman (Macroom), C. O’Callaghan (Eire Og), C. Maguire (Castlehaven), D. Gore (Kilmacabea), K. O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers), M. Buckley (Sam Maguires).
Subs: S. Minihane (Ilen Rovers) for J. McCarthy (inj.), 24; G. O’Donoghue (Ballincollig) for Ryan, 43; S. Ryan (Ballinascarthy) for Foley, 47; S. O’Sullivan (Mitchelstown) for O’Gorman, 49; S. O’Driscoll (Glanmire) for Maguire, 56.
TIPPERARY: J. Dolan (Fethard), J. Harney (Moyle Rovers), P. Feehan (Killenaule), J. Flannery (Galtee Rovers), C. English (Fr. Sheehy’s), D. Brennan (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), S. Nolan (Drom & Inch), C. Cashman (Cahir), B. Hyland (Fr. Sheehy’s), R. Lambe (Clonmel Commercials), C. Bolland (Clonmel Commercials), D. Egan (Galtee Rovers), J. Lyons (Grangemockler-Ballyneale), M. Barlow (Ardfinnnan), A. English (Ballyporeen).
Subs: S. Ryan (Galtee Rovers) for Barlow, 35; S. Quinlan (JK Brackens) for A. English, 50; C. Murphy (Thurles Sarsfields) for D. Egan, 55; C. Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials) for Hyland, 60.
Referee: B. Kelly (Clare).
*We had the embarrassing officiating spectacle wherein umpires couldn’t tell if a ball went over the bar, something which now happens with such regularity that it is almost expected as part of the proceedings.
