Two off in testy reunion with Tipp as Cork maintain O'Connor's winning start
Mark Coleman of Cork is tackled by Jason Forde of Tipperary during the Allianz Hurling League Division 1A match between Cork and Tipperary at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The above scoreline represents no revenge or retribution. It is far too early in the calendar for any such administering.
The above scoreline represents the maintenance of Cork’s winning start under Ben O’Connor and extension of a nine-game unbeaten run on home sod. Don’t go reading any deeper into a seven-point win on February 7. Don’t go chasing tangible connection to last July when none meaningfully existed.
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The hosts were sharper and more fluid, particularly in the opening half. Where Tipp had the greater spread of scorers, Cork had the greater number of standout performers.
If there were ties to last July, they came in the individual rather than the collective. Eoin Downey’s sending off was a defining moment in the All-Ireland final. Here, he nullified youngster Josh Keller into submission, struck two from play, and was a launch-platform on so many other occasions. His brother, Rob, was another towering figure in the Cork half-back line.
Alan Connolly is another who wouldn’t hold fond memories of his contribution on the concluding Sunday of the ‘25 championship. At full-time on Saturday night, it was noticeable how so many members of Ben O’Connor’s management made for his direction to applaud his contribution.
He finished with eight, an even split from play and deadball. His workrate in the opposition half had no equal.
The second-half was poor fare. Cork’s lead was never less than three. Watched by 30,910, the temperature had peaked in the minutes before half-time.
The last shot of the opening half belonged to Tipp full-back line member Bryan O’Mara. It was unleashed from the South Stand side in the final minute of regulation action. The shot dropped short. Very few in the crowd of 30,000-plus paid any attention to where the point attempt wound up.
Eyes had moved elsewhere. A row had broken out on the opposite North Stand side. Was this manliness breaking out?
It started with Alan Connolly and Willie Connors. It progressed to include all 30 players. There were plenty of false dawns. Retreating players were drawn back into the furnace when one teammate from either corner went rutting once more.
It eventually finished with yellow cards to Connolly and Connors, and reds to Shane Barrett and Jason Forde.
Both managers sought explanation before disappearing back down the tunnel. It was impossible to discern amid the deluge of bodies where Barrett and Forde had crossed the line.
Barrett’s sending off constituted a notable loss to the hosts. He was neatly knitting plays. His pace was unlocking doors. His half-forward colleague Darragh Fitzgibbon was influencing similarly.
Where it was Andrew Ormond and Jake Morris who announced themselves from the off, the half-forward pair either finishing or assisting three of Tipp’s opening four points, it was the red No.10 and No.11 who were most assertive thereafter.
Barrett clipped a first-half pair. Fitzgibbon went one better. The inside Connolly went one better again.
Barrett was fouled on 17 minutes for a Cork penalty. Johnny Ryan the latest defender to have a black card waved in his face. Declan Dalton could not repeat his opening round penalty execution into the same Blackrock End. Rhys Shelly was equal to the strike.
The play ended with a Fitzgibbon minor. A fifth unanswered Cork white flag. 0-9 to 0-6 they led. There was a second five-in-a-row in response to Willie Connors and Jason Forde bringing the visitors level at 0-10 apiece.
Connors, as he did for a spell of the All-Ireland final, dropped back to sit in the pocket and operate as a seventh Tipp defender. He picked up plenty of loose ball in the opening quarter, particularly when a Tipp colleague managed to spoil an incoming delivery from their opposite red number.
Cork’s middle-third play grew smarter as the opening half grew legs. And so, Connors’ sweeping involvement did not grow in prominence across the remainder of the half.
Having begun with nine of last year’s All-Ireland winning team, Cahill introduced Eoghan Connolly, Darragh McCarthy, John McGrath, and older brother Noel at various junctures.
Connolly went four from five on the long-range frees. McCarthy, booed upon his arrival into the play, converted a pair closer in. A green flag was needed into the mixer. It never materialised.
Brian Hayes came off the home bench and sparked momentary menace. He conjured a white flag from within a cluster of Tipp defenders. Fitzgibbon continued to torment on the left flank. Impossible to see him reverting to his long-time midfield deployment.
William Buckley enjoyed a second Páirc Uà Chaoimh start of note. His corner held with three from play.
Three from three for Ben and Cork. The healing continues.
A Connolly (0-8, 0-4 frees); D Fitzgibbon (0-7, 0-1 free); D Healy, W Buckley (0-3 each); E Downey, M Coleman, S Barrett (0-2 each); B Hayes, T O’Mahony (0-1 each).
E Connolly (0-4, 0-4 frees); J Morris (0-3, 0-1 free); J Forde (0-2 frees), D McCarthy (0-2 frees), A Ormond, W Connors (0-2 each); C O’Reilly, S O’Farrell, C Morgan, S Kennedy, C Stakelum, O O’Donoghue, N McGrath (0-1 each).
P Collins; G Millerick, D O’Leary, S O’Donoghue; E Downey, R Downey, M Coleman; M Mullins, E Twomey; D Fitzgibbon, S Barrett, D Healy; D Dalton, A Connolly, W Buckley.
C O’Brien for Coleman (HT); T O’Mahony for Mullins, B Hayes for Dalton (both 44); E Twomey for O’Connor (51); R O’Flynn for Buckley (64)Â
R Shelly; C O’Reilly, J Ryan, B O’Mara; S O’Farrell, C Morgan, S Kenendy; W Connors, C Stakelum; A Ormond, J Morris, J Keller; J Forde, O O’Donoghue, D Stakelum.
J McGrath for D Stakelum (HT): E Connolly for Kennedy (44); N McGrath for Keller (48); D McCarthy for O’Donoghue (55); P McCormack for Ormond (61).
L Gordon (Galway).
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