Woodlock thrilled as Tipperary see off Cork in easy-on-the-eye All-Ireland minor semi-final

Tipperary sharpshooter Chris Dunne, who finished with 3-5, takes his point in the All-Ireland MHC semi-final against Cork at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Tipperary 5-18 Cork 2-19

Tipperary manager James Woodock was delighted to see his side come out on the right side of a battle to earn a spot in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC final.

A rematch of the Munster final win over Limerick looms after goals and a strong finish were the difference at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

Chris Dunne had 3-5 as Tipp punished Cork errors and six unanswered points in injury time secured victory.

“Cork are a brilliant team and they have a great management team,” Woodlock said. “We feel that we’re a good team too and it was lovely to see both sides go out and express themselves.

“They went after the game and we did the same. We got a couple of breaks there near the end – I probably felt that we were a bit rusty early on and we had to grow into it. Maybe the four weeks was a factor and you saw that Kilkenny should have won the Leinster final and didn’t and then couldn’t pick themselves up for the quarter-final.

“We knew that we were going to be up against it, we had obviously played them already and we knew that they had top-class forwards. We were expecting a battle and that’s what happened.” 

Without a game since beating Limerick in the Munster final four weeks ago, the Premier County trailed by four points in each half before bouncing back well.

Ultimately, the contest – before a crowd of 2,505 – was decided by three goals between the 47th and 54th minute, two by Dunne and one from sub Josh Moroney.

Prior to that, a strong start to the second half by the Rebels had seen them turn a 2-8 to 1-9 half-time deficit into a 2-14 to 2-10 lead, with Bobby Power scoring a second goal, part of a personal haul of 2-8.

That green flag, set up well by Sam McCarthy and Ryan Cagney put them two ahead, with Power and McCarthy extending the lead, but Tipp’s response was strong. Conall Morrisson and KJ Dunne were the architects for Moroney’s goal soon after he had come on – McCarthy replied with his third point for Cork but when Conor Kennedy found Chris Dunne on the right flank, he did well to create space before firing home from a tight angle – 4-10 to 2-15.

Power’s free levelled but it was the last time the sides were tied.

CATC: Cork's Callum Coffey holds onto the inside ball during their All-Ireland MHC semi final defeat at the hands of Tipperary; Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Dunne had his third goal when Tipp turned a Cork puckout over and they remained two points in front as the clock reached 60 minutes, despite Cork pressing hard. In injury time, it was all Tipp, though, with Éanna Tucker bringing his tally to 1-4 as he slung over three late beauties.

In the first half, Cork had made the breeze count. Power’s early goal put them 1-2 to 0-2 in front and they might have scored another but for good defending by Tipp corner-back and captain Conor Collins.

At the other end, Cork goalkeeper Marley Walsh saved from Morrisson but while Cormac Murphy put them 1-6 to 0-5 in front, Tipp would change the complexion of the game before the Rebels scored again.

First, KJ Dunne’s catch gave him an avenue to goal and, though Walsh saved, Éanna Tucker was on hand to net the rebound. Tucker then claimed the puckout and fed Chris Dunne; his shot was kept out by the goalkeeper but he was unable to get the ball to safety and Dunne claimed possession before netting.

A pair of Morrisson points for Tipp compounded things to leave it 2-7 to 1-6, though Cork did finished the half with three of the last four points, while Nathan Coffey defending well to prevent Zach O’Keeffe from forging a goal opening.

They hit the front again in impressive fashion, but it was to be Tipperary’s day. 

Nevertheless, Cork manager Donal Mulcahy was proud of his team’s efforts in the game and over the year.

“Tipp are a great side, we knew that coming in,” he said. “It was just disappointing for the lads to lose by eight points, because I don't think it was an eight-point loss. Both teams just went at it and I don't think there was even a yellow card in the game. It was hard and fair and the referee, Niall Malone, did a super job. He was sensible.”

Scorers for Tipperary: C Dunne 3-5 (0-2 f, 0-2 sl), É Tucker 1-4, C Morrisson 0-4, J Moroney 1-1, S Ryan, C Kennedy, Z O’Keeffe, KJ Dunne 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: B Power 2-8 (0-6 f), S McCarthy 0-3, S Riordan, R Cagney 0-2 each, L O’Regan, S McHugh, C Coffey, C Murphy 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: E Connolly (Carrick Swan); C Ryan (Newport), D Groome (Borris-Ileigh), C Collins (Galtee Rovers); O Kennedy (Newport), J Finn (Golden-Kilfeacle), T McLoughlin (Cahir); S Ryan (Borris-Ileigh), H Healy (Kilruane MacDonaghs); C Kennedy (Clonoulty-Rossmore), C Morrisson (Moyle Rovers), É Tucker (Nenagh Éire Óg); Z O’Keeffe (Holycross-Ballycahill), C Dunne (Gortnahoe-Glengoole), KJ Dunne (Toomevara).

Subs: J Moroney (Ballina) for O’Keeffe (43), C Gantley (Cappawhite) for Healy (60), S Burke (JK Brackens) for S Ryan (60+1), R McGrath (Kiladangan) for C Dunne (60+4).

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), F Cahill (Midleton), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); E Considine (Sarsfields), D Nolan (Erin’s Own), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); A Hennessy (Midleton), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum); C Murphy (Ballinora), S Riordan (Kilworth), R Cagney (Mallow); C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), B Power (Ballincollig), S McCarthy (Castlelyons).

Subs: T McCarthy (Watergrasshill) for C Murphy (39), C Barry (Bride Rovers) for S McCarthy (56), C Ronayne (Dungourney) for Cagney (60+1).

Referee: N Malone (Clare).