Calm champions just won’t let go

ONCE more, champions Cork were able to draw on huge reserves of confidence and craft to resist the spirited and sustained challenge from Tipperary in yesterday’s absorbing Guinness Munster hurling final in Thurles.

It saw goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack stop two certain goals in the first half and, with their much-vaunted half-back line excelling, self-assured play helped them through a difficult second half to ultimately secure a deserved victory.

It was agonisingly close for Babs Keating’s well-prepared team which just didn’t have the scoring power to cause an upset. Scores were level at half-time and again 13 minutes after the resumption and entering the last minute of ordinary time only a single score separated the teams.