Player ratings: How Cork and Tipperary rated in the Munster SHC clash in Thurles
Jason Forde of Tipperary is tackled by Robert Downey of Cork during the Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Round 1 match between Tipperary and Cork at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles, Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Great variety in his puck-out deliveries, from hitting midfielders inside the 65 to finding space on the wings further up. 7.
Tagging Jason Forde from throw-in, he was rock solid in that role, limiting him to one assist for a converted free. 7.
Deployed to shut down John McGrath, who was withdrawn early in the second half. Tipp did goal through sub Alan Tynan in injury time but Cork were tighter defensively than in the league final, with Joyce a factor. 7.
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Started as a man-marker closer to goal. Had too much experience for Tipp U20 Stefan Tobin and very dominant when moved centre-back. 9.
Broke even with Ă“isĂn O’Donoghue, who clipped a couple of sweet scores but grew into the game, denying Tipp a platform on long puck-outs. 7.
Started in the six slot as he was picking up Andrew Ormonde, who struggled to get on the ball. Switched to corner-back when Darragh McCarthy came on, minimising his impact. 8.
Had his hands full with Jake Morris initially but very positive when coming out with the sliotar. Hurled the world of ball in the second half mopping up any breaks. 7.
In the thick of the action and had a strong second half, linking for a lovely score with midfield partner Tommy O’Connell. Off target with a few frees but a powerful presence. 7.
Operating very deep, he was the link man for the defence when running possession out. Added an extra body to rucks and breaks around the middle. 7.
Incredible first quarter when he got off six shots and had 0-4 from play. Craig Morgan got to grips with him from there but the Cork captain set the tone. 7.
Very strong opening 35 minutes with three assists and two points. Finished the game with 0-4 and his ability to get into space on the flanks caused Tipp constant issues. 8.
Big ask making his debut on the wing and while he was caught in possession a few times, clipped two scores coming up to the break. Carried that into the second half, adding another 0-2. 8.
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Very dangerous from the off with three points in the first half. Arrowed over two brilliant second-half points as well and a late free as the grace note of a spectacular debut. 9.
Minimal possession with Cork prioritising the running game until the second half, when there was more long ball in. Hit two from play and only missed one free. Came close to goaling. 7.
Starved of quality ball. Held to a point play but was involved in four other scores. Came off for Alan Walsh late on. 6.
Gave Cork a lift with a 15-minute run after a spell injured. 6.
Grabbed the sliotar from the air to rifle over a crucial point late on. 6.
Hugh O’Connor, Séamus Harnedy, Pádraig Power: Not on long enough to rate.
The All-Star goalkeeper didn’t have a save to make. He was alive to mop up a breaking ball before Brian Hayes in the first half. Reasonable puck-out numbers but couldn’t unpick Cork’s second-half supremacy. 6.
Couldn’t pin down William Buckley despite a strong opening to the second half, where he stormed out of defence three times in quick succession. Was then pinged for catching the sliotar three times on his next burst. 6.
Squaring up against Alan Connolly, who notched two points from play and floated a goal chance wide, this was a quiet outing from Doyle. 6.
Tangled with Brian Hayes, conceding one point to the Hurler of the Year nominee, but couldn’t prevent a handful of assists. Alan Walsh picked off a late point over Maher on his introduction. 6.
A tough outing as Darragh Fitzgibbon took him for four early points before switching across onto Barry Walsh, who did similar across the remainder. Called for a thrown pass in the second half. 5.
Scored two long-range frees out of three attempts and mopped up some loose ball under the pump from the roving Shane Barrett. 6.
Swapped across onto the rampant Darragh Fitzgibbon and battled manfully to hold the Cork captain scoreless thereafter. Coughed up a couple of pointed frees. 7.
Making his first appearance since February's red card against Limerick, Connors showed some early promise with a point and assist in an effective opening half. Replaced by Sam O’Farrell in the 58th minute. 7.
Linked with Connors for a first-half point. Committed the foul for which Liam Cahill’s dissent was penalised with a 21. Third man off after 46 minutes. 6.
Had five shots at the posts in the first half, scoring two. Morris was fouled for two frees, one of which was converted, and laid on two points. Blotted out in the second half. 6.
Regained his place at centre-forward and battled on for the full 70 minutes without much joy, apart from winning two pointed frees. 6.
Named at number 5, but playing in the half-forwards, O’Donoghue was Tipp’s best performer. From a couple of turnovers, he assisted 0-3 and was fouled for three pointed frees, while himself scoring two from play. 8.
In a size mismatch against Robert Downey, the teenage debutant was ushered away from the ball a couple of times. Fouled for a pointed free and hooked at half-time. 5.
In his second start of 2026, the Hurler of the Year was well contained by Ciarán Joyce, scoring just one point before being called ashore in the 41st minute, replaced by his brother, Noel. 6.
Starting the year on free-taking duties, Forde missed his first and slotted the subsequent seven, including one for which he was fouled himself. Subbed off in the 54th minute. 6.
Liam Cahill called up all five replacements before Cork used any. With extended game time, four scored. Darragh McCarthy converted four frees, being fouled for two. Alan Tynan drilled the goal. Sam O’Farrell and Darragh Stakelum slotted points and were involved in Tynan’s goal. 7.
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