Tommy Toomey delights as Tipperary composure rewarded

Tipperary manager Tommy Toomey praised the second-half effort of his troops and the confident manner in which they responded to Peter Kelleher’s goal directly upon the change of ends.

The Cork full-forward’s green flag 15 seconds into the second half moved the visitors in front for the first time in the contest, but Tipperary hit 1-3 without replay thereafter to resume pole position.

“I was very pleased with the reaction of the boys given the hits we took before half-time and the hit we took after half-time.

“Cork normally drive on when they get that kind of a boost. Our lads held their composure well to get it back level and to stay in the game,” he said.

“Any questions that were asked of the lads this evening, they answered them all. They replied to all of Cork’s crucial scores. Cork could have stolen it in the end, but that would not have been justified. Our lads deserved this.

“We gave away a silly goal right before half-time and mistakes happen in these games. It was a nervous match. The lads learned and we didn’t pay for our mistakes tonight. A few years ago, we did, however, when Cork got a goal at the death. Tonight we got the rub of the green at the end and held out.

“I told them at half-time to keep playing football, to believe in themselves. If lads are afraid to play, are afraid to play against the red jersey or the green and gold of Kerry, then we have thought them nothing. They have learned lessons from years gone by and I thought tonight they showed everything.”

The winning manager credited the role of the six seniors on his team and the leadership they tabled throughout.

“Every team needs leaders, we have lads who are playing senior and they took charge here. Colin O’Riordan has gone through hell in the past fortnight, but he was never going to miss this. He worked for every ball, he kept the team on side. He really led by example. The leadership was unreal.

“We were tired at times in the game and you could see the lads had to dig it out. We are delighted with the work-rate and the overall display. This is a great night for Tipperary football.”

Meanwhile, Cork manager Sean Hayes said his team left it too late in launching their bid for glory.

“If we played like we did in the final 10 minutes directly after we got the second goal, then we would have been out the gap.

“Tipperary had more hunger, more desire. The first goal before half-time kept us in the game. After the second goal, we should have been driving on, but fellas seemed to freeze on the day.

“I thought we deserved a draw in the end, we had the chances. We could have worked a goal there at the finish. The best team probably won on the day. You would just be disappointed. They had six seniors, big guys. We were missing Ian Maguire then which didn’t help in trying to break even at midfield.”