Christy O'Connor: Forde’s devastating leadership and efficiency an emblem of Tipp’s performance

Cork borrow from their history to operate on another Planet while Shelley and Tipp’s puckout numbers prove to be decisive.

FORDE FOCUSSED: Jason Forde strikes a free during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile.

Considering his possession numbers, if it was anyone else, would he have still have been on the pitch? On the otherhand, would Tipperary have wanted anyone else on the field in those circumstances other than Jason Forde? No. Definitely not.

After Darragh McCarthy had missed a couple of frees, and just before that duty was switched to Forde, the Silvermines man had struggled to get his hands on the ball, being limited to just a couple of possessions in the first three quarters of the match. Yet his devastating goal finish in the first half underlined Forde’s importance. And the last quarter confirmed it.