Tipperary 2-27
Cork 2-15
Jackie Cahill reports from Semple Stadium
MICHAEL RYAN’S TIPPERARY advanced to the Allianz Hurling League quarter-finals this afternoon as Cork slumped to a fifth Division 1A defeat from five outings.
Tipp staved off the threat of a relegation playoff with a 12-point win – and will now face Division 1B winners Clare in the last eight.
Cork were already condemned to a relegation playoff before today – and their opponents in that shootout have now been confirmed as Galway.
There was a certain inevitability to today’s result in Thurles, as 7251 spectators looked on.
Cork and Tipp surely didn’t want to face each other again in a relegation battle ahead of the Munster SHC quarter-final in June and consequently, there was a challenge match feel to much of the game.
That was reflected in the final scoreline although there were some notable contributions from key players nonetheless.
Tipp had a brilliant midfield display from rising star Michael Breen, who shot 1-4 from play, while John McGrath also continued his excellent League form with a haul of five points from play.
John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer top-scored for Tipp with 0-10, including nine frees, but he was also off-target with a number of efforts on a day when the hosts won at a canter and still registered 16 wides.
Cork’s scorer in chief was Patrick Horgan but this was another disappointing outing for Kieran Kingston’s Rebels, who must now scrap it out with Galway for top-flight status next season.
Tipp led by 0-13 to 0-10 at half-time before predictably pulling away in the second half.
There was a welcome introduction for Seamus Callanan at the break, as the 2015 Hurler of the Year nominee tasted his first League action of the campaign, and Tipp’s opening goal arrived 20 minutes from time via Niall O’Meara.
Horgan responded for Cork with a goal 13 minutes from time before Breen hammered home a brilliant effort with five minutes left.
From their very next attack, Cork brought some degree of respectability to the scoreboard as sub Paudie O’Sullivan netted but this was too easy for the home side.
It was confirmed after the game the venue Tipp’s clash against Clare will be decided by a coin toss on Monday.
Scorers for Tipperary: John O’Dwyer 0-10 (9f), Michael Breen 1-4, John McGrath 0-5, Niall O’Meara 1-1, Noel McGrath, Seamus Callanan & Dan McCormack 0-2 each, Brendan Maher 0-1.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-8 (0-6f), Paudie O’Sullivan 1-0, Conor Lehane 0-3, Paul Haughney, Brian Lawton, Bill Cooper & Luke O’Farrell 0-1 each.
Tipperary
1. Darren Gleeson (Portroe)
2. Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill)
3. James Barry (Upperchurch-Drombane)
4. Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty)
5. Barry Heffernan (Nenagh Éire Óg)
6. Ronan Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)
8. Brendan Maher (Borris-Ileigh – captain)
9. Michael Breen (Ballina)
10. John O’Dwyer (Killenaule)
11. Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)
12. Noel McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
13. Kieran Morris (Moycarkey-Borris)
14. John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney)
15. Adrian Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)
Subs:
21. Dan McCormack (Borrisoleigh) for Ryan (h.t.)
18. Seamus Callanan (Drom & Inch) for Morris (h.t.)
26. Willie Ryan (Clonakenny) for Heffernan (52)
19. Andrew Coffey (Éire Óg Nenagh) for N McGrath (59)
20. Tomás Hamill (Moyne-Templetouhy) for Barry (66).
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Killian Burke (Midleton)
3. Stephen McDonnell (Glen Rovers – captain)
4. Conor O’Sullivan (Sarsfields)
5. Cormac Murphy (Mallow)
6. Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh)
18. Shane O’Neill (Bishopstown)
8. Paul Haughney (Midleton)
9. John Cronin (Lisgoold)
10. Brian Lawton (Castlemartyr)
12. Conor Lehane (Midleton)
11. Bill Cooper (Youghal)
13. Luke O’Farrell (Midleton)
24. Alan Cadogan (Douglas)
15. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers)
Subs:
20. Daniel Kearney (Sarsfields) for J Cronin (h.t.)
22. Patrick Cronin (Bishopstown) for Lawton (55)
23. Paudie O’Sullivan (Cloyne) for Cooper (57)
17. Stephen Murphy (Blackrock) for Burke (58)
25. Stephen Moylan (Douglas) for O’Farrell (67)
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow)
United played very well in patches tonight against a stale looking Leicester team. Eriksen is pure class and brings a bit of intelligence and composure to the side. Very early days yet, but progress all the same.
Solid performance, but that was pure crap going forward. Far too passive and almost cocky in attack. Against a rubbish Leicester side who would have been put away by City / Liverpool. Praying Antony lives some bit up to the 100m coz Elanga Rashford Ronaldo nowhere near consistent enough. Highlight of the match was Dalot celebrating the block on Harvey Barnes.. cringey.. but just glad to see any bit of passion in defence these days. 3 wins on the trot we’ll take it. Big improvement needed on Sunday. PS. can see Rodgers at Villa soon!
@Johnny Mads: pretty much
@Johnny Mads: Hats off to ten hag to drop Maguire Johnny. The only way is up. As for yer Rogers quip that’s actually funny and not funny at the same time.
@Johnny Mads: very scrappy at times and alot of work to do, actually thought Ronaldo was lively when he came on, was unlucky with the bicycle kick also, 3 points and a clean sheet
@Pauly Kel: Ronaldo always a danger, just feel he holds back on his forward passed a second too long. Can’t help but feel he’s thinking 2 or 3 steps ahead on how he can give the ball to player best positioned to set him up at the end. Pure paranoia on my behalf but that’s how i always see it ! Sometimes kills the attack. But we sure will take 3 points and move on and keep building.
@Paul Gorry: When i saw him dropped before the pool game i got excited. Felt like a relief to finally move on and take a chance at least. So far paying off. As for Rodgers.. put your house on it ;)
@Johnny Mads: thought Dalot was very good again. Think it’s a bit harsh to lump ronnie in with rashford and elanga, he was on for 20 mins and looked far more threatening than both. If he shot rather than crossed to Eriksen near the end I’m convinced it would have been 2. Jenas saying rashford was on for his work rate was hilarious, did absolutely nowt besides his assist. Surely not a starter for much longer. Mctominay was fairly reckless aswell at times, dragging down maddison on the edge of the box. Surely time to give Fred and Casemiro a run!
@Johnny Mads: probably like the majority of utd fans to be fair. As for Rodgers i don’t have a house lol
@Paul Gorry: rodgers has 102 by all accounts.
@A$AP Ragnick: Dalot gaining confidence off the new system. Glad to see him earn his place ahead of AWB who i cant stand! Prob harsh on Ronnie but jury still out on him for me at moment. We could really do with him hitting form now at the right time so here’s hoping! Ya I think Fred & Casemiro will be the partnership once Casemiro settles. Big test Sunday now gunners on fire.
@Paul Gorry: lol
Leicester reward has beens like Vardy and Evans with new contracts when they should be replaced. The spine of that team needs surgery. New keeper, centre backs, holding midfielder, two strikers. Only six minutes left Brendan. Hurry up !!
Being cautiously optimistic about this upswing in form, this is a side that may give a good run for 4th but ultimately settle for 5th (please anything but 6th again). Arsenal Is the real test if we can topple them then maybe 4th is an actual possibility given that Chelsea seem to be cracking
The big test for this current Utd squad is when they come up against the top teams! Let’s see what happens on Sunday.
@john fairclough: what like Lvpl
@john fairclough: Did they not already beat Liverpool?
@HarveyLemonade: I agree. It will be as equally as big a test for arsenal. They have been impressive but have had a fairly handy first few games.
Pretty irrelevant…. however, United have recorded 3 straight Premier League wins in August/September 2021 and in December 2021.
It’s progress but Ten Haag seems far to cautious when in lead. He brings off pacey attackers for slower defensive players. Happened in last 3 games. Could have easily cost Utd points in each game. This isn’t the Dutch league where teams will accept a 1 0 loss.
@Shane Obrien: I think he’s just getting Casemiro a few minutes here and there for a possible start on Sunday.
@Shane Obrien: think its more of a natural response to united’s tendency to retreat when they get into a lead, i don’t think he is encouraging it or anything. They would have drawn/lost games like this and the Southampton one last year. Hopefully show more of a killer instinct in the upcoming games.