Awesome defensive displays feature of magnificent evening of hurling
Massive support for both Cork and Tipp, the huge short-sleeved crowd was held in thrall right to the final exhausting whistle in a game that surpassed in excitement and hurling even last Thursday evening’s draw in Thurles. Feature of that night were the outstanding individual forward displays from Tipp’s Eoin Kelly and Cork’s corner-forward Kieran Murphy, feature of last night’s game were the defensive displays, team and individual, by both Tipperary and Cork. John Gardiner at centre-back for the Rebels was reminiscent of the regal Brian Corcoran at his very best, and he had many able deputies, while the Tipperary half-back line of Martin Maher, Diarmuid Fitzgerald and Hugh Moloney especially was a veritable wall, beating back ball after ball. Behind them, full-back and senior panellist John Devane had a tremendous battle with Cork’s own rising attacking star, Setanta Ó hAilpín. Just as Tipp just about shaded this game, John just about got the better of Setanta, finally won a medal he’s been seeking for some years now.
“It’s unbelievable. A lot of people are saying this grade should be done away with, but there’s no way you can do away with nights like tonight. They announced a crowd of 14,000, I’d say it was nearer 20,000. The kids get in free, and that’s what it’s all about.
