Goold strikes as Rebels prepare for Tipp

Cork 2-16 Monaghan 2-15

A late goal for the Rebels from Fintan Goold was enough to snatch victory after Monaghan had dominated most of the second period.

Speaking after the behind-closed-doors match, Cork manager Brian Cuthbert pointed out that the long gap between the end of the league and the Munster semi-final clash with Tipperary has brought its own issues for his side to deal with, while the unexpected draw between Cork and Waterford in the Munster hurling quarter-final means an extra game for dual stars Aidan Walsh, Eoin Cadogan and Damien Cahalane.

“You plan for all eventualities but obviously this is the one we didn’t want in that you have to play game after game after game.

“That is going to lead to its own problems but we have a very good relationship with the hurlers and we’ll see how it goes, but at the moment I have to say that draw hasn’t helped matters.”

Having watched Tipperary sweep aside Limerick last weekend Cuthbert acknowledged that challenge games such as this have been useful.

“There has been a nice long break between the league and the championship and we think we have used it wisely, but time will tell on that.

“We know we face a very tough task in playing Tipperary, they are a very good team, we saw that the last night against Limerick and that is going to be a tough, tough game for us.

“We have played a few challenge games but obviously there is a lot of club activity in these seven weeks, plus the fact you have the three boys playing hurling which has brought its own problems.

“What I would say is that the seven weeks has gone well enough for us and we know Tipperary will come to Cork with all guns blazing. They have huge motivation regarding the draw and the fact it is Cork they’re playing, We are under no illusions what is coming down the tracks for us.

“Tipperary will come to Cork with a huge motivation. They will be saying that this is the scalp we want to take and they will want to prove the Munster Council wrong etc, etc and I think that is going to add to them big time.”