All thoughts turn to Thurles
Both had late opportunities to take maximum points but that would have been harsh as neither side deserved to lose.
“Doesn’t do either side any favours for the league,” said Tipperary manager Declan Ryan, “but it doesn’t do either side any harm for May 29 either,” which just about summed things up.
Tied for fifth and sixth spot before the game, both teams really needed a win to keep their slim play-off hopes alive. They are not completely out if yet but must rely on Galway and Kilkenny — now the two teams on top — to suffer a collapse in form and lose both their two remaining games to sneak in.
On Ryan’s second point, again there can be very little debate — May 29 in Thurles has been the focus for both these two sides.
Tipperary began well, looking every inch the champions they are, and were three points in front after five minutes thanks to Pa Bourke, Noel McGrath and the evergreen Benny Dunne. Soon, however, and inspired by an outstanding half-back line of John Gardiner, Ronan Curran and late call-up James Nagle, who had a terrific game, Cork settled down and by the ninth minute had tied it up at three points apiece.
That was all thanks to the dangerous Luke O’Farrell, Cian McCarthy — who troubled Padraic Maher at centre-back — and a long free from the superb Gardiner.
From there to the break it was nip-and-tuck, Tipp nosing ahead 0-7 to 0-6 thanks mainly to the accuracy from placed balls of Bourke but it was poor fare, Cork especially careless with seven wides, against just one registered by Tipp.
Both defences were on top, the full-back line of Stephen McDonnell, Eoin Cadogan and Shane Murphy doing well, while for Tipperary Paul Curran was dealing comfortably with the aerial threat provided by Michael Cussen.
The second half saw a huge improvement in the hurling standard, Cork opening with a bang — a goal from a narrow angle by O’Farrell after Brendan Cummins had done well to deny Cussen.
Points by Cathal Naughton and Cian McCarthy followed to put Cork four points in front, the majority in the near 8,000 crowd roaring them on.
Then came a rare error by the defence, allowing Benny Dunne an almost free run from wide right to shoot one-handed and beat the advancing Donal Óg Cusack.
That goal put Tipperary right back in it the game and a point from a Bourke 65 soon levelled matters.
From there to the finish, and just as it had been in the first half, it was tit-for-tat, never more than two points between the sides.
Ben O’Connor hit a point, brother Jerry converted a boomer from midfield and partner Pa Cronin did likewise for Cork, with Benny Dunne, subs O’Meara and John O’Brien and midfielder Gearoid Ryan doing the scoring for Tipperary. Approaching the final minutes it was Cork two points behind, 1-14 to 1-12.
Twice thereafter Ben O’Connor did the business from placed balls for Cork, only to be denied by the post with a last-second effort from wide right on the 20m line.
The game does leave Cork manager Denis Walsh with something of a selection headache — who will he pick for that May date?
“I don’t know!” he said; “If you take James Nagle, coming in today for his first start and really, really did well, and he’s still U-21.
“In midfield I thought Lorcán (McLoughlin) was good until he got a knock, he was carrying a shoulder injury coming in. Stephen McDonnell was answering a lot of questions and Shane Murphy came in and did very well.
“I’m going to have a headache deciding, there’s no doubt about that,” he added.
For Tipp boss Ryan, injuries are the main concern, with two All Stars — Brendan Maher (broken ankle) and Eoin Kelly (broken finger) — ruled out yesterday, and Paddy Stapleton taken off yesterday.
“Paddy is gone to hospital, provisional examinations show that he might have some rib damage but we don’t know the exact extent of it yet — the injuries are piling up.”
Subs for Cork: J O’Connor for McLoughlin (32), N McCarthy for Naughton (53), P Horgan for Kenny (55), P O’Sullivan for Cussen (58), B Cooper for McCarthy (67).
Subs for Tipperary: E Connolly for Stapleton (15), B O’Meara for S Bourke (35), J O’Brien for Patrick Maher (52), M Gleeson for S McGrath (62), J Coghlan for Young (70).
Scorers for Cork: L O’Farrell 1-1; B O’Connor 0-4 (4f); C McCarthy 0-3 (1 s/l); J Gardiner 0-2 (2f), R Curran, P Cronin, C Naughton, J O’Connor, 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: P Bourke 0-6 (5f, 1 ‘65); B Dunne 1-2; N McGrath 0-3; G Ryan, B O’Meara, J O’Brien (0-1 each).
Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).
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