Cork beat Tipp in eight-goal thriller

Cork 4-15 Tipperary 4-11

Two goals from second-half substitute Setanta O’hAilpin steered Cork to victory over Tipperary in the Allianz NHL tie at Thurles in an end-to-end game played in perfect conditions.

In a nip and tuck first half Cork led by a slender margin - 2-08 to 0-07 - having played against the slight breeze.

Tipp got off to a flyer with a fourth minute goal from a long range free from Tommy Dunne.

However Cork fought back and an Alan Browne goal in the 25th followed by a Joe Deane goal four minutes later gave them the advantage.

But just before the break, Eoin Kelly goaled again for Tipp to reduce the deficit.

Two goals in as many minutes gave Tipp the initiative in the second-half – Eoin Kelly bringing his tally to three goals, but Cork fought back again and showed great heart despite being down to 14 men after Mark Prendergast was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Sub Setanta O’hAilpin netted in the 28th minute and again five minutes later to steer Cork back in front and Joe Deane (2) and Ben O’Connor put the game beyond Tipp with well-taken points.