Second-half goals see Cork U20s set up mouthwatering Munster final clash with Limerick

Robbie Cotter of Cork celebrates after scoring his side's second goal as Kevin Maher of Tipperary looks on. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Cork 3-20 Tipperary 2-17

For the second time in little over 48 hours, a Tipperary hurling team let slip a sizable interval advantage. But where the county’s seniors get a second bite of the championship cherry, Tuesday evening’s second-half no-show from the Tipperary U20s brings the curtain down on their campaign.

Reeling in the Premier on this occasion was Pat Ryan’s Cork youngsters, the visitors to Thurles producing a stunning third-quarter — during which they outscored Tipperary by 2-5 to 0-1 — to move from six in arrears at half-time to four in front at the second water break. Cork substitute Luke Horgan added a third goal on 58 minutes to cement the county’s place in next Wednesday’s Munster final against Limerick.

Making Tuesday’s semi-final result all the more impressive is the fact that Cork’s 2021 U20 class had just 10 days together as a panel to ready themselves for this championship opener given the late, late finish to last year’s competition.

Cork's Ciaran Joyce and James Devaney of Tipperary. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

One must not forget either that Cork were without two of the outstanding U20 hurlers in the county — Shane Barrett and Alan Connolly, the pair ineligible for this fixture having featured for the seniors during their recent Munster semi-final defeat.

The above-mentioned small window of preparation was obvious during a first half where Cork’s play was anything but crisp or cohesive. but, to their credit, they turned in a superb second-half performance.

Leading the charge was outstanding centre-back Ciaran Joyce, with full-back Dáire O’Leary also hugely impressive behind him.

Further forward, Daniel Hogan and Robbie Cotter bagged the crucial goals during their third-quarter burst. Padraig Power and Brian Hayes finished with four and three points respectively, with sub Ben Cunningham another to raise three white flags. The Cork bench contributed 1-4 in total.

An exhibition of point-taking from Tipperary’s Devon Ryan, both from open play and the placed-ball, was at the root of the home side’s fully merited 1-13 to 0-10 half-time lead.

Cork's Daniel Hogan and John Campion of Tipperary. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

The late addition to the Tipp team struck three from play and was also razor sharp in punishing the many incidents of indiscipline within a stuttering Cork defence, the number of frees converted totalling five come the interval.

The visitors to Thurles had started the quicker, the county’s U20 football captain Hayes sending Pat Ryan’s charges in front inside 10 seconds.

But from there to the 10th minute, Tipperary assumed control, outscoring their opponents by 1-5 to 0-2. Ryan was responsible for three of the Tipperary white flags during this burst, with Dara Stakelum and John Campion also chipping in.

Their goal, arriving on six minutes, was well taken by midfielder Max Hackett after a fine Sean Hayes pass.

A pair of points each from Jack Cahalane and midfielder Sam Quirke helped Cork to close the gap to three, 1-7 to 0-7, shortly after the first water break. Tipperary’s advantage quickly doubled again, though, as a quartet of points from the ever accurate Ryan again exposed a lack of cohesion in the Cork rearguard.

Cork U20 manager Pat Ryan. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Their lead did momentarily swell to seven approaching the interval, but it was all downhill from there for the Premier youngsters. They managed just 1-4 in the second half, with their second goal arriving in the fourth minute of stoppages. They certainly had chances aplenty in the third quarter but struck a number of poor wides.

In the end, this was equal parts remarkable Cork comeback and Tipperary collapse.

Scorers for Cork: R Cotter (1-2); D Hogan (1-1); P Power (0-4); L Horgan (1-0); B Hayes, B Cunningham (0-3 each); S Quirke, D Flynn (0-2 frees), J Cahalane (0-2 each); C O’Leary (0-1).

Scorers for Tipperary: D Ryan (0-9, 0-5 frees); M Hackett (1-2); K Shelly (1-0); J Campion (0-2); D Stakelum, K O’Kelly, J Leamy, P McGarry (0-1 each).

CORK: C Wilson, (Newcestown); E Downey (Glen Rovers), D O’Leary (Watergrasshill), C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); E Twomey (St Finbarr’s), C Joyce (Castlemartyr), K Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh); S Quirke (Midleton), B O’Sullivan (Kanturk); D Flynn (Ballygiblin), D Hogan (Sarsfields), B Hayes (St Finbarr’s); J Cahalane (St Finbarrs), P Power (Blarney), R Cotter (Blackrock).

Subs: B Cunningham (St Finbarr’s) for Flynn, L Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Cahalane (both 43); M Mullins (Whitechurch) for Hogan (46); D Kearney (Cobh) for O’Sullivan (54); C O’Leary (Ballincollig) for Hayes (60).

TIPPERARY: A Browne (Cashel King Cormacs); F Purcell (Drom & Inch), K Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), C O’Dwyer (Cashel King Cormacs); C Whelan (Carrick Davins), K Maher (Borris-Ileigh), J Ryan (Arravale Rovers); M Hackett (Moycarkey-Borris), J Campion (Drom & Inch); D Stakelum (Thurles Sarsfields), D Ryan (Cashel King Cormacs), K O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs), S Hayes (Kiladangan); P Creedon (Thurles Sarsfields), J Devanney (Borris-Ileigh).

Subs: P McGarry (St Mary’s) for Campion (30, temporary); J Leamy (Golden Kilfeacle) for Stakelum (44); C Fogarty (Lorrha Dorrha) for Devanney (50); C Hennessey (Nenagh Eire Óg) for Whelan (52); K Shelly (Moycarkey Borris) for McGarry (54); T Cahill (Drom & Inch) for Creedon (61).

Ref: John O'Halloran (Limerick).