1. Tipperary atone for 2012 in Croke Park
It’s two years since Tipperary were humbled at the semi-final stage by Kilkenny but they exorcised those August 2012 demons today. On their return to Croke Park for the first time since that defeat, Tipperary turned on the style and produced a brilliant and commanding display.
They should have been further ahead by half-time and a scoring burst after the interval settled this contest. They extracted sparkling offensive showings from Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer while their defence were collectively brilliant. It was a superb team display as they showed their character when the stakes were considerably high.
2. Cork fall flat after Munster glory
Cork opened this year’s Munster campaign shakily against Waterford but responded that day to dig out a draw and used it as a springboard to sparkle in the province. Wins over Waterford, Tipperary and Limerick secured silverware and ensured that they were in an upbeat mood entering today’s match.
But Cork fell terribly flat, never scaling the heights they had reached in Munster and looking like a team badly affected by their five-week layoff from action. Aidan Walsh, Seamus Harnedy, Alan Cadogan and captain Patrick Cronin were all withdrawn before the finish. That those key players were substituted spoke volumes for the difficulties Cork endured.
3. Seamus Callanan and John O’Dwyer wreak havoc
They were Tipperary’s top two scorers entering today’s game and neither Seamus Callanan or John O’Dwyer disappointed. Callanan finished with 2-4 and his two goals were strikes of brilliance and substance at various stages in the game. He’s been the team’s figurehead all year and he didn’t disappoint today.
O’Dwyer’s free-scoring wizardry has been a key asset in helping Tipperary pick up the pieces since their Munster loss to Limerick. He weighed in with another six points today to bring his return to 2-20 for this summer’s campaign. The Killenaule club man was superb and Tipperary are reaping a rich dividend from his emergence on the senior stage.
4. The back door route rehabilitates Tipperary once more
Tipperary’s season looked in serious jeopardy in early June when they were hit with a two point defeat against Limerick. When they trailed Galway with 20 minutes left in their qualifier the following month, the anxiety deepened for Tipperary given their previous losing streak in championship ties.
However they summoned a revival that night to fashion a victory over Galway. Since then Tipperary’s season has taken off as they collected wins over Offaly and Dublin. They had serious momentum behind them before today and channelled it accordingly. Just like 2010, the back door has rehabilitated Tipperary once more and they’ll hope to close out the season in a similar fashion.
5. Spotlight falls on JBM’s future with Cork
Defeat today brings an end to Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s current term as Cork hurling boss and it will be interesting to see if he is still at the helm in 2015. He revealed after today’s game that he would need to discuss his future with the county board before making a decision.
Barry-Murphy has produced three prolonged campaigns with Cork, as they bowed out at the semi-final stage in 2012 and 2014 while it was after a final replay that they lost last year. The Liam MacCarthy Cup has eluded them but Barry-Murphy has made substantial progress. Whether he will come back for another assault next year remains to be seen.
First time they’ve trained in The Park? Is that right? €70M+ invested in it and the senior team get a run out 2days before the Championship?
WTF.
@MK76: Ed sheeran has probably played more times there than the senior team!
“Caidre Choraì” are going to step in and do the job the county board is failing at, developing young players, supporting the mentors of underage teams in clubs…
10 years behind the curve. Better late than never. 1st time the senior team get a run out today???? Seriously???? What a joke.
A proper centre of excellence placed centrally in the county that’s easy and fast to get to is imperative to have in this day and age. Cork has the largest amount of clubs in the country and the idea that this has not been addressed yet is mind boggling. A one pitch all weather outside the stadium is totally inadequate and would be for even the smallest of Counties. Sponsorship through the want to see Cork succeed not just corporate sponsorship aimed profiteering is badly needed. If i gave a 5 euro note now and everyone else in Cork did that’s nearly 3 million right there (impracticable i know) but a gage as to the potential.
Got a great feeling about this championship structure for hurling.. nearly wish there was home and away games an no back door though like NBA or NFL
Never to late to do the right thing. Well done to all concerned. Count me in.
From a Kerry fans perspective you need a decent Cork team testing you in Munster, some serious battles in the 2000s. Note I said Decent not good.
Cork is a great GAA county. The only county to do the double in hurling and football. Corcaigh abú. Gaelic football is the greatest field game in the World too.
Tomás Mulcahy is right after Dublin they’re next in line in terms of potential & resources. They should be competing for All Ireland’s most years in both codes at all levels. They’ve got the playing numbers, a lot of clubs and a fantastic new stadium. Time to deliver on their promise.
@Ciarán Kelly: I think a lot of cork supporters would feel they have more potential ha
They must be a bit slow on the uptake down there if they are only thinking about that now!