The significance of this victory for Tipperary
Ever since the high-water mark of last summer’s Munster final thrashing of Waterford, Tipperary’s performances have been pockmarked with concerns. Despite the stirring nature of their comeback in this year’s provincial quarter-final against Limerick, the below-par nature of their display in the early stages of that game meant they entered this afternoon’s encounter with questions hanging over them. But they answered them in a decisive fashion. They displayed the stomach for the fight in testing circumstances, they kept their heads despite Cork’s explosive opening to the match and they produced a consistent performance for 70 minutes. Travelling to Páirc Uí Chaoimh and emerging with a one-point win is a major feat for both this team and their management. They look to be in a better mood moving forward to the Munster final and the two battles they have had recently will stand to them in the showdowns that lie ahead.
The difference experience made in a tight contest
In a desperately tight match, small factors proved critical in determining a winner. We wrote on Friday about the different stages of development that these sides were currently in and ultimately the greater experience that Tipperary have accumulated in the past few seasons proved to vital. It was evident in the manner in which John O’Brien and Lar Corbett were ruthless in going for the kill in setting up Noel McGrath for the only goal of the game. It was evident in the manner in which Paul Curran and Padraic Maher rose to the challenge magnificently in the second-half to close up the holes that had been apparent in the Tipperary defence early in the game. And it was evident in the manner that they overcame the dismissal of O’Brien to work ferociously hard all over the pitch and refused to panic in the face of a personnel disadvantage. In contrast Cork just fell that bit short in the closing quarter when it came to chipping away at Tipperary’s deficit as they squandered possession in defence and squandered scoring chances in attack.
The influence of Tipperary’s bench
The impact of Tipperary’s substitutes was certainly the most telling factor in fashioning their success over Limerick last month and while not as glaringly obvious today, the influence of the men that Declan Ryan thrust into the fray was crucial. The introduction of Lar Corbett had the predictable effect of galvanizing the Tipperary support in the crowd and while he was not one of the main conductors in the game, he did make a major contribution in setting up McGrath’s goal. James Woodlock responded courageously to his pre-match omission by producing a bustling display around the middle when drafted in to that sector. While Shane Bourke made an immediate impact in winning primary possession within moments of coming onto the pitch, drawing a foul that lead to an important pointed free by Pa Bourke. Considering that Eoin Kelly only saw a few minutes of action and Seamus Callanan remained rooted to the bench all afternoon, Tipperary continue to have a panel of notable depth.
The optimistic signs for Cork
After the humbling defeat they suffered against Kilkenny in the league final, Cork needed a response. And they produced it. It may not have garnered them the win they craved and coming so close to victory will ensure they are an anguished bunch after this game. But once that pain subsides they can reflect on a really encouraging performance. Their scoring total was excellent and while they did not rattle Brendan Cummins net, their point-scoring was largely exemplary with Patrick Horgan, Paudie O’Sullivan and Jamie Coughlan racking up 0-18, nine from play, between them. Conor O’Sullivan was a revelation in defence with his shrewd usage of possession, Anthony Nash was extremely solid between the sticks and substitute Daniel Kearney, making his first competitive senior hurling appearance for Cork having been sidelined during the spring with a broken hand, looked bright and inventive when introduced. Conor Lehane and Darren Sweetnam may not have cut loose in the manner in which they did during the spring but they still displayed plenty promise and will have learnt greatly from their experience. The same could be said for the entire team and it’s vital now they bounce back in time for the qualifiers on July 7th with their opponents to be revealed tomorrow morning.
The thriller that hurling needed
Yesterday was a dispiriting day for hurling. Limerick and Wexford destructed Laois and Westmeath respectively with ease in the qualifiers. Kilkenny blew Dublin away in a Leinster championship tie that had been forecast to be grippingly tight and in the process demonstrated just how high Brian Cody’s men have raised the bar. Given the lack of competitiveness in those games and the gulfs in class that were becoming apparent, the weekend needed to be saved by a classic Munster championship encounter. Tipperary and Cork provided just that with 47 scores amassed during over 70 minutes of frenetic, spellbinding action. It was brilliant stuff with a couple of outstanding attacking showings as Pa Bourke and Patrick Horgan came of age for their respective teams. The attendance was a fine one as well with 32,568 people present in what is a major boost to the Munster Council coffers following the paltry crowd in Semple Stadium last Sunday for the game between Clare and Waterford.
Here are the scorers from today’s game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
TIPPERARY: P Bourke 0-12 (0-7f, 0-2 ’65), N McGrath 1-4, B Maher, B O’Meara 0-2 each, G Ryan, Padraic Maher 0-1 each.
CORK: P Horgan 0-12 (0-9f), J Coughlan, P O’Sullivan 0-3 each, C Lehane 0-2, D Sweetnam, P Cronin, C Naughton, D Kearney, C McCarthy 0-1 each.
And here are the starting line-up’s and the substitutions that were made.
CORK SH: A Nash (Kanturk); S O’Neill (Bishopstown), B Murphy (Bride Rovers), C O’Sullivan (Sarsfields); T Kenny (Grenagh), E Cadogan (Douglas), W Egan (Kilbrin); D Sweetnam (Dohenys), L McLoughlin (Kanturk); C Lehane (Midleton), P Cronin (Bishopstown), C Naughton (Newtownshandrum); J Coughlan (Newtownshandrum), P O’Sullivan (Cloyne), P Horgan (Glen Rovers). Subs: C McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Naughton, D Kearney (Sarsfields) for Sweetnam, L O’Farrell (Midleton) for Lehane.
TIPPERARY SH: B Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange); C O’Brien (Éire Óg-Annacarty), P Curran (Mullinahone), M Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields); T Stapleton (Templederry), C O’Mahony (Newport), P Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); B Maher (Borrisoleigh), S McGrath (Ballinahinch); G Ryan (Templederry), P Maher (Lorrha-Dorrha), P Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields); B O’Meara (Kilruane McDonagh’s), J O’Brien (Toomevara), N McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney). Subs: L Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields) for Ryan, S Bourke (JK Brackens) for O’Meara, J Woodlock (Drom-Inch) for B Maher, E Kelly (Mullinahone) for P Bourke, D Maher (Burgess) for Stapleton.
