Evening all and welcome along to the Gaelic Grounds for the 2019 Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U20 hurling championship final. It’s Tipperary against Cork, a repeat of the Munster final last month which went the way of the Premier by a point thanks to a last-minute goal by Jake Morris.

There’s a massive crowd here in the Gaelic Grounds. A forecast of a crowd of over 20,000 for this one. Both teams out on the pitch warming up. It’s been quite a week for Tipperary hurling, huge reception for All-Ireland winning senior boss Liam Sheedy when he arrived earlier.

Here are the starting teams, one late change to the Cork attack with Simon Kennefick starting instead of Padraig Power.

Tipperary

1. Aaron Browne (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)

2. Conor McCarthy (Nenagh Éire Óg)
3. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs)
4. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs)(captain)

5. Niall Heffernan (Golden-Kilfeacle)
6. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)
7. Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill)

8. Ciarán Connolly (Loughmore-Castleiney)
9. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

10. Gearóid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy)
11. Jake Morris (Nenagh Éire Óg)
12. Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers)

13. Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens)
14. Billy Seymour (Kiladanagn)
15. Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy)

Cork

1. Ger Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarrife)
3. James Keating (Kildorrery)(captain)
4. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)

5. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills)
6. Sean O’Leary Hayes (Midleton)
7. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)

8. Ryan Walsh (Kanturk)
9. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)

10. Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers)
11. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
12. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh)

13. Brian Turnbull (Douglas)
14. Shane O’Regan (Watergrasshill)
22. Simon Kennefick (Glen Rovers)

This is what the teams are competing for this evening.

The James Nowlan Cup. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Just under 10 minutes until we get underway in Limerick. Which way do you see this one going?

Fintan O’Toole is at the Gaelic Grounds for us this evening, where the teams have embarked on the pre-match parade and we’re nearly set for the off.

Game on! We’re underway in Limerick. 

1 mins — GOAL! Cork 0-0 Tipperary 1-0

Oh my word, what a start from Tipp! There are just 19 seconds on the clock and Billy Seymour is wheeling away in celebration after Conor Bowe had burst through the Cork defence.

2 mins — Cork 0-1 Tipperary 1-0

Cork find an instant response as Brian Turnbull gets the Rebels on the board, but that was some marker for the defending champions to lay down inside the opening minute. 

3 mins — Cork 0-3 Tipperary 1-0

Despite that early setback, Cork have conjured a big riposte as Conor O’Callaghan nips in to steal possession and fire over a long-range score, before Daire Connery follows suit. We’re level. 

5 mins — Cork 0-3 Tipperary 1-1

Breathless stuff already at the Gaelic Grounds, as Billy Seymour adds a point to his early goal. 

6 mins — GOAL! Cork 0-3 Tipperary 2-1 

They’re motoring at one end, but the Cork defence is all over the place at the other end. Jake Morris tears through and lays it off for Andrew Ormond to hammer it home for Tipp’s second goal. 

6 mins — Cork 0-4 Tipperary 3-1 

Two goals in as many minutes! The Tipp forward line are on fire inside the opening exchanges and it’s that man Seymour again. Cork at sixes and sevens at the back. 

8 mins — GOAL! Cork 0-4 Tipperary 4-1

Oh my word, this is sensational from Tipp as they pull further clear. Jerome Cahill powers through on goal and makes no mistake, burying it past the helpless Ger Collins in the Cork goal. That’s FOUR goals inside the opening eight minutes. 

10 mins — Cork 0-5 Tipperary 4-3

An utterly bonkers start to this game. Tommy O’Connell points for Cork but Denis Ring’s side are leaking scores at the other end, as Jake Morris extends Tipp’s lead with successive points. 

Here’s Billy Seymour’s goal after just 19 seconds.

14 mins — Cork 0-6 Tipperary 4-5

Not going to lie, we’re struggling to keep up here. Turnbull converts a free for Cork but straight away, Conor Bowe finds acres of space and strikes it between the posts.

15 mins — Cork 0-6 Tipperary 4-6

Ger Collins pulls off a brilliant stop to deny Conor Bowe scoring Tipp’s fifth goal. It’s all too easy for Liam Cahill’s forward line at the moment, who have been in clinical form inside the opening 15 minutes. Jake Morris pops over the resulting 65.

Brian Turnbull and Craig Morgan clash for possession. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

18 mins — Cork 0-6 Tipperary 4-7

Tipp’s lead is out to 13 as Andrew Ormond gets in on the act.

20 mins — Cork 0-7 Tipperary 4-7

Cork have their first real sight of goal through Turnbull but he is unable to keep his effort on target after a powerful catch and burst forward. Play is pulled back for a free and the Douglas man pops it over.

Jerome Cahill scored Tipp’s fourth goal.

25 mins — Cork 0-8 Tipperary 4-8

A couple of points apiece but Cork need goals to start making inroads into Tipperary’s 12-point lead.

The Tipp fans have had plenty to shout about in this first half. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

28 mins — Cork 0-10 Tipperary 4-9

Sweet, sweet strike from Daire Connery as he converts a free from inside his own half, before Jerome Cahill does the same at the other end. We’ll have a minute of additional time.

Half-time: Cork 0-10 Tipperary 4-9

An absorbing and breathless 30 minutes of hurling, and a magical display from Tipperary’s forward line as Liam Cahill’s young guns seized control of this final.

What did you make of that first half? Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Catch up on the first-half highlights here:

We’re back underway at the Gaelic Grounds. Can Cork conjure an almighty second-half comeback or will Tipp pull further clear in this second period?

31 mins — Cork 0-10 Tipperary 4-9

Denis Ring has made a change at the break, with Evan Sheehan replacing Simon Kennefick as both sides start the second half with a wide. 

32 mins — Cork 0-10 Tipperary 4-11

Cork simply cannot afford to miss any more scoring chances but Tommy O’Connell is off-target with a free, before Seymour shows the way with two more points for his tally. The Tipp forward now has 2-4 today.

Cork’s Tommy O’Connell with Bryan O’Mara of Tipperary. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

37 mins — Cork 0-11 Tipperary 4-11

Cork are on the board in this second half through Turnbull’s free.

Tipp, meanwhile, have made a change as Seán Hayes is introduced for Gearóid O’Connor.

40 mins — Cork 0-12 Tipperary 4-12

That’s better from Cork as they reel off back-to-back points through Roche and Turnbull.

Denis Ring is making another change, meanwhile, with captain James Keating making way for Jamie Copps. 

41 mins — Cork 0-13 Tipperary 4-13

Brilliant from Jake Morris there as he shows strength to win the puckout and manufacture the space for himself, before launching it between the posts for a fine individual score.

44 mins — Cork 0-13 Tipperary 4-14

Another Tipp free, another Morris point. They lead by 13.

46 mins — GOAL! Cork 1-13 Tipperary 4-14

Is this the start of the comeback? Superb from Tommy O’Connell as he gets away from his man before rocketing it into the top corner to reduce the deficit to 10. Cork’s best moment by a mile.

48 mins — Cork 1-14 Tipperary 4-14

Cork are trying to rally themselves here as Turnbull converts the free he won. Nine in it.

An interested spectator in the stands. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

Here’s that Tommy O’Connell goal. Sublime finish.

51 mins — Cork 1-15 Tipperary 4-14

After a bit of pushing and shoving on that far side, we’re back underway and Turnbull points. There is eight between the sides with eight minutes left on the clock. 

53 mins — Cork 1-16 Tipperary 4-14

Big chance for Cork as Evan Sheehan breaks through and only has Aaron Browne to beat, but he’s unable to get it past the Tipp ‘keeper. O’Connell points from the resulting 65.

55 mins — Cork 1-16 Tipperary 4-15

Frustration for Cork as they create their second clear-cut chance in the space of as many minutes but Sean Twomey is off-target. At the other end, Morris settles Tipp with a point.

Cork's Shane O'Regan in action. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

57 mins — Cork 1-16 Tipperary 4-16

That should be that as Billy Seymour extends Tipp’s lead with a superb point from out wide on the right.

60 mins — Red! Cork 1-16 Tipperary 4-16

Cork’s race is run as Tommy O’Connell picks up his second yellow and is given his marching orders.

60 mins — Cork 1-17 Tipperary 4-16

Into five minutes of added time, and Shane O’Regan points for Cork. 

62 mins — GOAL! Cork 1-18 Tipperary 5-16

And that is very much that. Tipp finish as they started as Cathal Bourke is sent through and he makes no mistake. 

63 mins — Cork 1-18 Tipperary 5-17

Tipperary’s Billy Seymour is named man of the match. A superb individual performance from the Kiladangan sharpshooter.

Full-time! Cork 1-18 Tipperary 5-17

And that’s full-time. Tipperary are the 2019 Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U20 hurling championship winners after a superb display here this evening. 

What a week it has been for Tipperary hurling.

We’ll have a full report and reaction from the Gaelic Grounds throughout the evening here on The42, but until next time, goodbye!