Corkery leads Cork rout of Tipp

Cork 1-23 Tipperary 0-7

On this occasion, after the magnificent Colin Corkery had pointed his side into the lead, following just 42 seconds of play, it was one-way traffic, as Tipperary were brushed aside by the sheer skill, power and elegance of a super-charged Cork side.

Important lessons were learned by the Cork selectors in the drawn game and, to their credit, they found the remedies for the ills that afflicted their team the previous week in Semple Stadium. Sadly, however, a miscalculation of the number of substitutes they used during the course of the game may ultimately cost them a title they won in what was a very lopsided contest.

For yesterday's match Cork re vamped their side with Sean Levis lining out at right corner-back, Anthony Lynch moving to full-back, with Ciaran O'Sullivan holding down the left corner back position. Eoin Sexton and Martin Cronin filled the wing-back berths. Graham Canty partnered Nicholas Murphy at midfield and Joe Kavanagh started on the 40, with his Nemo Rangers club colleague Maurice McCarthy on his left.

Everyone of the changes made by the selectors worked like a dream as Cork ran a most dispirited and totally disillusioned Tipperary side to shreds with one of the finest exhibitions of football served up by the home county in quite some time. It was exhibition stuff really and how the Cork supporters in the attendance of 17,708 lapped up every minute of it before it turned into a rout shortly after half-time. Lynch, delegated the onerous task of putting the brakes on Tipp's most influential player, Declan Browne, came up trumps in spectacular style limiting the Premier County's danger man to just two early points.

Martin Cronin looked much more at home in his defensive role, while Graham Canty was a marked success at midfield. Both he and Nicholas Murphy formed a superb partnership and Tipp, who had done extremely well in this area in the drawn game, were all at sea on this occasion and as a consequence their forward division were forced to live off scraps. Joe Kavanagh had an outstanding game at centre-forward, scoring one great point with a most delicate chip.

But the real jewel in Cork's glittering crown was left half-forward Maurice McCarthy who had a fabulous match. His work rate was tremendous and he laid off some beautiful ball to a full-forward line that was absolutely on fire.

Maybe subconsciously Cork were a trifle over-confident entering the drawn game. Yesterday they came out with all guns blazing and proceeded to try and wipe Tipperary off the face of the earth. Rarely have a team been so outclassed and out-gunned in a Munster football final.

Corkery's opening point was the catalyst for a Cork display of absolute splendour and also for an individual performance from the 'big man' himself that surpassed anything he has done in the past and it must be remembered that he has had some great outings in the Cork shirt.

Corkery shone resplendently and single-handedly powered Cork three points in front after the opening five minutes. He finished the game with 11 points to his credit, six from play, four from frees and a 45 conversion. His immaculate kicking skills came straight out of the skills handbook. He embellished this Munster final replay with individual greatness and admirable finesse.

Fionan Murray, who got Cork's fourth point as Tipperary were overwhelmed, occupied second place in the individual honours list on the Cork side. Murray teased and tormented the completely outplayed Tipperary defence. He scored five points, made the only goal of the game for Philip Clifford and was unlucky not to have goaled himself in the 16th minute when he soloed in along the end line only to have his shot deflected for a 45 by goalkeeper Philly Ryan which Corkery duly pointed.

Two minutes earlier Tipperary had finally succeeded in breaking their duck when Declan Browne kicked a delightful point following a short free pass from Paul Cahill. Peter Lambert got another from a free in the 19th minute before Browne had his second and last score of the half for Tipperary who trailed by 0-12 to 0-3 at half time.

Any hopes Tipperary harboured of making an impact after the break with the wind to their backs evaporated after just three minutes of the re-start when Fionan Murphy set up Philip Clifford for a peach of a goal. Now the flood gates were well and truly opened and Tipperary were swept away. Cork, with Nicholas Murphy breaking through and punching some brilliant points were 1-14 to 0-3 to the good before Liam England got Tipperary's fourth point in the 43rd minute. But three points on the trot from play by the irrepressible Corkery finally shattered the Tipperary challenge to see Cork run out comfortable winners on the back of a resounding 19 points triumph.

Scorers. Cork. P. Clifford 1-0; C. Corkery 0-11 (0-4 from frees; 0-1 from 45); F. Murray 0-5; N. Murphy 0-2; J. Kavanagh 0-2; C. Crowley, J. Miskella and M. O´ Croínin 0-1 each.

Tipperary. P. Lambert 0-3 (0-2 from frees); D. Browne 0-2; L. England and E. Hanrahan 0-1.

CORK: O'Dwyer; S. Levis, A. Lynch, C. O'Sullivan; E. Sexton, R. McCarthy, M. Cronin; N. Murphy, G. Canty; B. J. O'Sullivan, J. Kavanagh, M. McCarthy; P. Clifford, C. Corkery, F. Murray. Subs. J. Miskella for Sexton; M. O´ Cróinin for B. J. O'Sullivan; C. Crowley for Clifford; (all in the 52nd minute); A. Quirke for O'Dwyer (56th minute); N. O'Donovan for McCarthy (blood substitution), (58th minute); McCarthy for O'Donovan (63rd minute); D. O'Sullivan for Corkery (64th minute.

TIPPERARY:P. Ryan; B. Hahessy; D. Byrne, N. Kelly; S. Maher, S. Collum, N. Fitzgerald; K. Mulryan, L. England; P. Cahill, D. O'Brien, F. O'Callaghan; P. Lambert, D. Browne, B. Cummins. Subs. W. Morrissey for Maher (25th minute); R. Costigan for Fitzgerald; B. Hickey for Cummins (both at half time): E. Hanrahan for Mulryan (47th minute).

Referee: M. Monaghan (Kildare).