Rebels find finishing touch

Cork 2-19 Tipperary 1-16

And, how ironic it was that they should both come from the half-forward line, where some poor finishing had proved costly in the Munster final.

However, it was the team's overall strength in the second-half that made it possible to smother the challenge from an inconsistent Tipperary side.

Once more, they were over-reliant on Eoin Kelly's potential and with Cork's defence achieving control over the vital last quarter, Tipp simply didn't have the scoring power to save the game. In contrast, as manager Ken Hogan admitted, Cork were able to "hammer home their superiority" when it mattered.

Having admitted last week that the paucity of goals was a worry, Cork selector John Allen agreed that the two produced by Niall McCarthy (taken off against Waterford) and Timmy McCarthy (dropped for this game) had been the difference.

"Timmy played extremely well and Niall worked extremely hard for the whole game. They got their just rewards," he said.

Manager Donal O'Grady, in singling out Timmy McCarthy for praise, said he couldn't understand why he had come in for some bad press. As for the game itself, a surprising needle element accounted for one minor melee, and a potentially ugly brawl involving players and substitutes, both before half-time.

With wind advantage, Tipperary were at their best over the opening 15-minute period, at the end of which they led 0-7 to 0-2. But, symptomatic of their attacking difficulties this season, they waited another quarter of an hour for their next score.

By this time, a Cork side clearly uninhibited by the Munster final defeat, had gained a momentum which was to ultimately inspire victory. Afterwards, Ken Hogan accepted his team paid a price for not putting away more scores when they were on top.

What brought Cork back was superb free-taking from Joe Deane and Ben O'Connor, which yielded four points between the 18th and 25th minutes. They were the result of steadily increasing pressure starting in defence, where Wayne Sherlock started to better Eoin Kelly and were reflected in improved play from man-of-the-match Niall McCarthy at centre-forward.

By now, Tipperary were being frustrated by poor finishing and uninspiring play from a number of their players, including team captain Thomas Dunne at midfield and more especially Conor Gleeson at centre-forward. Benny Dunne, however, looked threatening at times.

Further in, John Carroll started promisingly at full-forward but his contribution was minimal once Diarmuid O'Sullivan settled down to control the heart of Cork's defence.

However, it was a break by Carroll which earned Tipp the penalty in injury time from which Paul Kelly scored after brother Eoin's shot was stopped by Donal Óg Cusack. It meant they finished the half four points in front, 1-8 to 0-7.

A confident Timmy McCarthy, introduced at right half-forward before half-time had the ball in the net within six minutes. Following two well-struck Deane frees it put Cork in front.

And, indicative of the composed way they were to set about undermining the Tipp challenge, they were never to lose the initiative.

With Cork already benefiting from the wind, they gained a further grip by starting to dominate at half-back, where Ronan Curran was performing very efficiently. And, while the same could be said about Tipp centre-back Declan Fanning (and Eamonn Corcoran), it was noteworthy that Niall

McCarthy was beginning to exert an increasingly influential role for Cork.

With Timmy McCarthy looking really sharp, Cork were emerging the more effective combination.

Sean Óg Ó hAilpín was another to excel, Jerry O'Connor was to play his best hurling at midfield and Ben O'Connor contributed hugely on the right wing. Brian Corcoran, too, was doing well, often roaming to good effect and again vindicating the management's trust in him.

In contrast, Philip Maher never made the type of impact expected of him.

Ó hAilpín nearly got a goal out of a spirited run downfield in the 54th minute when Brendan Cummins managed to flick the ball away.

But, nine minutes later, Niall McCarthy had the ball in the net, scoring with a powerful drive off the ground after the hard-working Kieran Murphy made the opening.

That put Cork four points clear and, while a full 10 minutes remained, Tipperary never promised a goal, in spite of some occasionally good play from substitute Lar Corbett and particularly Eoin Kelly.

Kelly did get into a good position nearing the end but was bottled up before Jerry O'Connor got in a relieving clearance. And, Cork were to excel with four points in a three-minute period which really put the gloss on an impressive display.

"You'd have to be happy with that performance," O'Grady said.

For his part, Ken Hogan admitted to disappointment over the failure to capitalise more on early chances. And, while agreeing that the two Cork goals had been well taken, he pointed to the fact that they seemed to get caught out of position a diplomatic reference to the fact the two McCarthys has been unchallenged in the act of taking their scores.

*Barry Kelly didn't stamp his authority on the game and made some obvious mistakes. That affected his overall display, but it still featured some good refereeing.

Scorers: Cork J. Deane 0-7 (0-6 frees); N. McCarthy 1-2; T. McCarthy 1-1; B. O'Connor 0-4 (0-2 frees); K. Murphy 0-2; J. O'Connor, J. Gardiner and M. O'Connell 0-1 each.

Tipperary: E. Kelly 0-9 (0-6 frees); P. Kelly 1-0; B. Dunne 0-3; C. Gleeson, C. Morrissey, J. Carroll and M. O'Leary 0-1 each.

CORK: D. Óg Cusack; B. Murphy, D. O'Sullivan, W. Sherlock; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. Óg O hAilpin; T. Kenny, J. O'Connor; B. O'Connor (capt.), N. McCarthy, G. McCarthy; K. Murphy, B. Corcoran, J. Deane.

Subs: T. McCarthy for G. McCarthy (31st minute); M. O'Connell for Kenny (63rd).

TIPPERARY: B. Cummins; M. Maher, P. Maher, P. Curran; E. Corcoran, D. Fanning, D. Fitzgerald; C. Morrissey, T. Dunne (capt.); P. Kelly, C. Gleeson, B. Dunne; E. Kelly, J. Carroll, S. Butler. Subs: L. Corbett for Butler (50th minute); M. O'Leary for P. Kelly (57th); N. Morris for Carroll (69th).

Referee: B. Kelly (Westmeath).