Dunne ensures Rebels fall short
In fact, coming up short was the story of the game from the Cork point of view with five deliveries in a frantic second half falling safely into the hands of Tipperary custodian Brendan Cummins. Of more concern was the fact there was no Cork player within the red-zone to put pressure on the All Star keeper as he was left with all the time in the world to gather and clear.
A couple of those short-hit balls came late in the game at a time when Cork had Tipp under the most ferocious pressure, having battled back from a situation where they trailed at the break by seven points (2-11 to 0-10) and by six (2-14 to 0-14) in the 46th minute. Ten minutes later, however, after a series of inspirational points, Cork had it back to level pegging, and even with five minutes remaining of normal time there were just two points between the sides.
Then came the game’s defining moment. Cork full-back Eoin Cadogan won possession around his own 20m line and looked set to break out when he was robbed of possession by the outstanding Patrick Maher. The Tipp man parted to the lurking Benny Dunne who rocketed a shot from close range past Donal Óg Cusack and ended the Cork challenge. Three further points from Tipp served only to put a false gloss on the final scoreline, because believe it, this was no eight-point game.
What decided it for Tipp was their goal-scoring ability. They did it all through last year and did it three times yesterday, twice from the usual sources, and at critical times in the game.
Their first green flag came in the 28th minute, and it was badly needed. Playing with the strong breeze Tipp were still only level with a fired-up Cork (0-7 apiece), nowhere near enough of an advantage as the second half loomed. Then up stepped Lar Corbett. The inimitable hurler of 2010 and All-Ireland final hat-trick hero grabbed a pass from Patrick Maher and drilled past Cusack.
Four minutes later, soaring for a dangerous Shane McGrath centre, Eoin Kelly grabbed, turned, beat Shane O’Neill through sheer strength and cracked a beauty to the corner and, suddenly, Tipp were eight points clear.
Incredibly, in a game of massive pace and intensity, there was still time for five more scores, three points for Cork, two for Tipp, but the All-Ireland champions still went in at the break seven ahead.
As was the case at the finish, however, it was a misleading scoreline. Yes, Tipperary were hurling with great authority but Cork too were in magnificent shape and though Patrick Horgan had the bulk of their first-half scores (five points, three from frees), veterans Ben O’Connor and Niall McCarthy were flying, as were youngsters Luke O’Farrell and Paudie O’Sullivan, while midfield pairing Lorcan McLoughlin and Pa Cronin (especially) were dominating.
Into the second half then, and in the 46th minute that seven-point Tipp lead was still intact — Callanan, Kelly, O’Brien and Corbett adding points for Tipperary with Cronin, Horgan (two) and a mighty blow from John Gardiner in reply.
Then came a purple patch for Cork. Horgan (four) had the bulk of the scores while Ben O’Connor had two real beauties. By the 56th minute the game was tied. And that was when Tipp really showed their mettle.
Points from their two most experienced players, Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett, then the second sideline cut from the gifted Noel McGrath, had the hosts back in the driving seat. Horgan brought it back to within two again after a foul on the outstanding Cronin, and that two-point lead was still there until Patrick Maher stole that ball to set up Dunne for the Premier’s third goal.
In desperation, Cork took off Horgan and O’Sullivan, threw on Cathal Naughton and Kieran ‘Fraggy’ Murphy — and a desperate decision that was. Still, great game, champion finish by regal Tipperary, but Cork too can take much from this, even in defeat.
Scorers for Tipperary: E Kelly 1-7 (0-5f), L Corbett 1-2, S Callanan 0-5, N McGrath 0-4 (2 s/l), B Dunne 1-0, J O’Brien 0-2, Patrick Maher, J Woodlock 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: P Horgan 0-13 (10f), N McCarthy 0-3, B O’Connor 0-3, P O’Sullivan, C McCarthy, P Cronin, J Gardiner 0-1 each.
Subs for Tipperary: J Woodlock for McGrath 40, C O’Mahony for Young 59, B Dunne for O’Brien 62, P Bourke for Ryan 66.
Subs for Cork: J O’Connor for C McCarthy 45, J Nagle for O’Neill 45, T Kenny for McLoughlin 51, C Naughton for Horgan 70, K Murphy for O’Sullivan 70.
Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).
