Ruthless Rebels extend their summer with statement win in Thurles

Munster SHC (R5)

Tipperary 1-24 

Cork 3-30 

Cork secured an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final spot with this facile win over a meek Tipperary side in Thurles this evening.

Their last-six game against Antrim or Kerry will take place on June 11 or 12 and they will head into that with plenty of encouragement after a second morale-boosting performance in the space of a week.

The visitors, although you couldn’t tell that by their massive support in the 27,131 attendance, were up 2-14 to 1-9 at half-time. Tipperary’s opposition bordered on pathetic in the second half as Cork ran through them and scored almost at will. Conor Lehane was majestic in the opening half while Seamus Harnedy starred thereafter.

Following substitute Alan Flynn’s straight red card on the hour mark, Darragh Fitzgibbon set up replacement Tim O’Mahony for a wonderful team goal in the 64th minute.

Tipp’s start was electrifying. Jake Morris batted to the net after 40 seconds when Mark Kehoe, realising he had more space than he initially thought, fed the onrushing Nenagh man. The hosts had 1-3 on the board before Cork were up and running.

However, the half and, in truth, the game turned in the 11th minute. After Kehoe had been fouled by Robert Downey, Noel McGrath’s penalty strike hit the post and Cork worked it up the field for Alan Connolly to claim his fourth goal in the Munster SHC. Hitting the third of six first-half points, Lehane levelled the game in the 13th minute, Robbie O’Flynn put Cork ahead shortly afterwards and seconds later Darragh Fitzgibbon drove the ball low past Barry Hogan after a powerful solo run.

Four points separated the sides up to the 24th minute when Cork turned on the after-burners, hitting Tipperary for seven in a row and twice having openings for goals cut out by Ronan Maher, one legitimately and the other ending in a Horgan free.

Tipperary scored the final three points of the half but it couldn’t hide their abjectness.

Scorers for Tipperary: N. McGrath (0-13, 12 frees); J. Morris (1-2); J. Forde (0-5); C. Stakelum, D. Quirke, R. Maher (free), P. Maher (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: C. Lehane (0-8, 1 free); P. Horgan (0-5, 3 frees, 1 65); A. Connolly, T. O’Mahony (1-1 each); D. Fitzgibbon (1-0 each); S. Kingston (0-4); R. O’Flynn, M. Coleman (1 free), S Harnedy (0-3 each); J. O’Connor (0-2).

TIPPERARY: Barry Hogan; C. Barrett, R. Maher (c), C. Morgan; D. Quirke, S. Kennedy, B. Heffernan; C. Stakelum, D. McCormack; M. Breen, N. McGrath, G. Browne; J. Forde, M. Kehoe, J. Morris.

Subs for Tipperary: A. Flynn for B. Heffernan, P. Maher for G. Browne (both h-t); J. Quigley for C. Barrett (inj 40); C. Bowe for M. Breen (47); G. O’Connor for D. McCormack (69).

Sent off: A. Flynn (60, straight).

CORK: P. Collins; S. O’Donoghue, R. Downey, D. Cahalane; N. O’Leary, C. Joyce, M. Coleman (c); D. Fitzgibbon, L. Meade; S. Kingston, S. Harnedy, R. O’Flynn; C. Lehane, P. Horgan, A. Connolly.

Subs for Cork: T. O’Mahony for P. Horgan (44); T. O’Connell for L. Meade (57); J. O’Connor for R. O’Flynn (60); G. Millerick

for R. Downey, S. Barrett for C. Lehane (66).

Referee: S. Stack (Dublin).