Cork 2-22
Tipperary 2-19
Jackie Cahill reports from Páirc Uí Rinn
CORK HELD OFF a spirited second half fightback from Tipperary to end the Premier County’s reign as Electric Ireland Munster and All-Ireland minor hurling champions this evening.
Cork were 11 points up in the second half but the margin was back to just one in stoppage time – before late points from Brian Turnbull and Daire Connery sealed victory for the young Rebels.
Turnbull and Connery scored 0-16 between them in last Thursday evening’s epic draw in Thurles – and the pair chipped in with a combined 0-14 tonight, in front of a massive 8,142 attendance at Páirc Uií Rinn.
Victory for Cork ensures a bumper day out for the red hordes in Thurles next Sunday – as the county’s minors and seniors go head to head with Clare for provincial titles.
The weekend tie with the Banner County will also mark the first time that Cork – who have lost the last four semi-finals – will appear in a provincial decider since last winning the crown in 2008.
Craig Hanafin was another to excel for the hosts this evening in front of a partisan home crowd, sniping 1-4 from play over the hour.
Despite registering eight of their 12 wides in the first half alone, Denis Ring’s young guns were still 2-11 to 0-10 clear at the break.
After Tipp, playing with the breeze, had cruised into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead, Cork opened up with a devastating scoring run that yielded 2-5 without reply.
Hanafin netted in the fifth minute, taking a pass from Liam O’Shea before finishing well, and O’Shea himself raised a green flag six minutes later.
That run left Cork 2-6 to 0-4 in front – an eight-point lead – before Tipp stopped the rot through Jake Morris, who would finish with five points from play.
Conor Bowe also enjoyed a good first half for Tipp but Cork were nine points clear approaching half-time, before the visitors rallied to keep themselves just about in touch.
Cork could also have had another major in the 22nd minute – but O’Shea flashed an effort across the face of goal.
Tipp opened the second half with the opening score but Cork gained a firm stranglehold on proceedings and were 11 ahead – 2-17 to 0-12 – in the 42nd minute.
Back came Tipp with a gritty rally and Bourke’s goal with nine minutes left gave them hope.
Tipp lost Jerome Cahill to a second yellow card in the 60th minute but were still knocking on the Cork door late on, as sub Darragh Woods collected five of his six points from frees.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Kevin McCarthy found the net and Tipp sensed blood.
But Cork steadied and two of their leading stars – Turnbull and Connery – found the range to edge them home.
Scorers for Cork – Brian Turnbull 0-8 (4f), Craig Hanafin 1-4, Daire Connery 0-6 (0-2f, 0-1 sl), Liam O’Shea 1-0, Robert Downey 0-2, Sean O’Leary Hayes & Evan Sheehan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary – Darragh Woods 0-6 (5f), Jake Morris 0-5, Anthony McKelvey 0-4f, Cathal Bourke & Kevin McCarthy 1-0 each, Conor Bowe 0-3, Niall Hoctor 0-1.
Cork
1. Ger Collins (Ballinhassig)
4. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)
6. James Keating (Kildorrery)
2. Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe)
12. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
3. Sean O’Leary-Hayes (Midleton – captain)
19. Aaron Walsh Barry (Carrigtwohill)
7. Ger Millerick (Fr. O’Neill’s)
8. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh)
13. Evan Sheehan (Na Piarsaigh)
10. Craig Hanafin (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Diarmuid Lenihan (Ballyhooly)
11. Liam O’Shea (Lisgoold)
14. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
15. Brian Turnbull (Douglas)
Subs
23. Declan Hanlon (Blarney) for O’Shea (51)
20. Barry Murphy (Castlelyons) for Sheehan (58).
Tipperary
1. Eoin Collins (Drom-Inch)
2. Michael Purcell (Thurles Sarsfields)
3. Michael Feehan (Sean Treacys)
4. Jerome Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
6. Robbie Quirke (Cappawhite)
5. Craig Morgan (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
7. Kieran Breen (Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams)
8. Bryan O’Mara (Holycross-Ballycahill)
9. Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens – captain)
10. Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetouhy)
11. Jake Morris (Nenagh Eire Óg)
12. Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)
22. Niall Hoctor (St Mary’s, Clonmel)
14. Anthony McKelvey (Moycarkey-Borris)
15. Conor McCarthy (Nenagh Éire Óg)
Subs
19. Darragh Woods (Holycross-Ballycahill) for C McCarthy (h.t.)
18. Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs) for O’Mara (h.t.)
17. Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara) for Breen (42)
13. Cathal Bourke (Clonoulty-Rossmore) for Hoctor (43)
24. Billy Seymour (Kiladangan) for McKelvey (46).
Referee – Johnny Murphy (Limerick)
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No sour grapes but Kerry won all their league games and should be playing 1b next year. How else are tier 2 county’s to progress. Sure they would have shipped a big loss or too but it might be better than easing in to a pointless league final. Offaly should be in div 2 as a kick in the a… For failing to perform all year.
Hurling league is a joke. It’s 10 times harder to get relegated than get promoted. GAA protect the traditional counties and screw those trying to make an impact
I agree completely but it’s not offaly who should be relegated it’s aintrim, they finished bottom of div 1a with 0 points. Offaly had 3 points but lost to Antrim in stupid relegation game. Kerry were hard done by for sure.
So Offaly, who have already lost a relegation play off to Antrim and should therefore have been relegated get a second chance to stay up and Kerry who won all their games (including the div 2a FINAL) have to stay in 2a? What’s the point in having a ‘final’ if there’s no reward for winning?
How is hurling in the ‘weaker counties’ supposed to improve if they’re not given a chance? Absolute farce.
Its a joke really even Brain Whealan admitted that if fair was fair this game shouldn’t have happened and Offaly should have been relegated and Kerry promoted, However its not Offaly’s fault that this is the way the league was set-up. Hopefully Offaly can kick on from here. I’m from Offaly BTW
Offaly drew with Limerick and beat Antrim in the group so had 3 points and Antrim finished bottom with 0 points so should have been relegated.
But Antrim put out a near second team for the last day of the league against Offaly as there was nothing to play for and out their strongest team to beat them in the play off. They wouldn’t have rested players for the final league game otherwise.
There was a barrow load wrong with the way league was set up this year, first of all Antrim brought the game into disrepute by resting 14 player for the last league game against Offaly in Tullamore (Which Offaly won at a canter).
Then why was the playoff played in Ballycastle uo in the very north of Antrim even though Offaly had 3 points and Antrim finished with 0 points.
Surly the game should have been in a neutral venue.
Also if you win Division 2A as Kerry did then surly to God that team deserves to get promoted. I mean Who D Funk put this system together, my kids junior infants class would have done a better job
Offaly finished the league with 3 points Antrim with none, antrim should be gone, I fail to see the point of playoffs at all. Completely unnecessary.
Offaly deserved to remain in Div 1B – it was Antrim who failed to register a single point all year and should be in Division 2 with Kerry taking their place in 1B next year.
Offaly lost the relegation play off against Antrim so therefore they don’t deserve anything, you really are clueless just like the people who decided this second play off should have happened.
FDL is correct. Offaly new their fate was to be decided in that playoff.
There should have been no playoff finish bottom of the group you should be relegated. What’s the purpose of these playoffs?
I wonder do we get a cup!? #fishing
Opportunity missed to expand hurling counties in Ireland. But don’t worry Sky are going to bring brilliant exposure to it in the UK.