O’Mahony extra-time goal seals it for Tipp

Tipperary 2-14, Cork 0-17 (after extra-time)

When it comes to writing the history of the U21 hurling grade, this game will rank as one of the best played since the inception of the competition in 1964. Tipp owed much to the brilliance of their defence, who covered themselves in glory. Top of the pile was full-back John Devane, who saved two penalty attempts by Cork keeper Martin Coleman, one at the expense of a point, and their half-back line of Martin Maher, Diarmuid Fitzgerald and the magnificent Hugh Moloney.

In attack, Eoin Kelly, who scored seven points from play in the drawn game, was confined to just a goal on this occasion by a vastly improved Cork corner-back Brian Murphy.

Cork, too, had their heroes. John Gardiner was majestic at centre-back and time and time again drove the Tipp forwards back playing incredible hurling. Graham Callinan ran himself into the ground at midfield, while Paul Tierney when moved to centre forward did a lot of damage. Unfortunately, some of his forward colleagues failed to live up to their reputations and it was this failure to make any telling contribution which ultimately cost Cork the game. Over 14,000 spectators basked in the glorious evening sunshine and were treated to an epic contest that ebbed and flowed over 85 enthralling minutes, and the real pity was there had to be a loser.

Again, two evenly-matched sides served up another superb contest and there was little to separate the teams as they swapped points at regular intervals to be level twice in the opening half before Francis Devaney edged the visitors in front with a point in the 33rd minute which left Tipp 0-8 to 0-7 ahead at the break.

There was no let-up in the intensity of the exchanges on the changeover as Cork with John Gardiner playing out of his skin at centre back, forged two points ahead after 50 minutes of superb hurling.

Cork had earlier seen Martin Coleman’s penalty superbly saved by Devane, and one got the feeling it was not going to be their night. Back came the Premier County to level it for the fifth time and the sides were still locked together at 0-13 apiece at the end of normal time.

Twenty minutes of extra-time were called for and understandably, no one was leaving the ground. Eoin Kelly struck pay-dirt in the opening seconds of the first period when he fastened on to Tony Scroope’s long deliver to flick home a goal. But back came Cork with three unanswered points and it looked as if there was no separating the sides as they finished level at the end of the first period of extra-time after Coleman had his second penalty saved by Devane at the expense of a point.

With both sides now showing visable signs of 70 minutes of scintillating hurling, Tipp brought on Conor O’Mahony and he proved the hero with his side’s second goal. However, there was still some defending to be done as the home side threw everything at Tipp in those tension-packed minutes of the second period, but they hung on for a victory that over the entire game, they just about deserved.

Scorers for Tipperary: E. Kelly 1-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65); C. O’Mahony 1-0; E.

Ryan, F. Devaney 0-2 each; P. Buckley, T. Scroope, J. Caesar, J. O’Brien 0-1 each.

Cork: F. Murphy, S. O hAilpin, P. Tierney, K. Murphy 0-3 each; J. Gardiner 0-2; G. Callinan, M. Naughton, M. Coleman 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: V. Donehy; E. Buckley, J. Devane, M. Phelan; M. Maher, D. Fitzgerald, H. Moloney; E. Ryan, J. Caesar; P. Buckley, F. Devaney, M. Farrell; E. Kelly, J. O’Brien, T. Scroope.

Subs: C. O’Mahony for P. Buckley. D. Kennedy for Farrell.

CORK: M. Coleman; G. O’Brien, C. O’Connor, B. Murphy; S. Murphy, J. Gardiner, K. Hartnett; K. Murphy (Erins Own), D.O’Riordan, M. Naughton; F. Murphy, S. O hAilpin, K. Murphy (Sars).

Subs. M. Aherne for K. Murphy (Sars); M. O’Connor for Callinan; B. Barry for K. Murphy (Erins Own); Callinan for B. Barry.

Referee: S. McMahon (Clare).