Rebels forced into major battle

AS EXPECTED, Cork qualified for a July 4 Munster final meeting with old rivals Kerry after this semi-final win over Tipperary in Semple Stadium last night, but they were made to earn it.

At half-time, leading by eight points (2-7 to 1-2), it appeared as though a rampant Cork were home and hosed, but a tremendous second-half performance by Tipp saw that lead closed to a very nervy two points on a couple of occasions with just minutes to go.

However, a couple of late points, the first by wing-forward Kevin Hallisey, the second – and final score – by substitute Dan McEoin, was enough to see Cork home against a Tipp team that had been reduced to 14 in the dying minutes, after corner-back Paddy Dalton got a second yellow card.