Tipperary 5-19
Cork 2-13
BILL WALSH AND Jason Forde helped themselves to a brace of goals each as Tipp walloped Cork by 15 points in this evening’s Bord Gáis Energy Munster U21 hurling championship semi-final at Semple Stadium.
The hosts ran riot in the second half to record a massive win, after Cork had fought back to within a point after half-time.
Tipp led by ten points in the first half – 2-9 to 0-5 – before Cork hit six points without reply before the break to give themselves real hope.
And the visitors were breathing down Tipp’s necks when sub Mark Sugrue whipped home Cork’s first goal in the 32nd minute.
But Tipp’s response was emphatic as they compiled an unanswered 2-8 to move 15 points clear, 4-17 to 1-11.
It was a remarkable transformation and Cork had no answers before captain Christopher Joyce – one of two players who started in last Sunday’s senior final – stopped the rot.
But Tipp hit back with their fifth goal, scored by Tommy Heffernan, to ensure that all six starting forwards were on the scoresheet.
Cork scored a consolation goal in the 58th minute through sub Cian Buckley but overall, the Leesiders were given a real chasing in the second half.
Recent meetings between the counties in this grade had been tit-for-tat affairs, with Tipp winning by just a single point at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year.
Indeed, the last three meetings between the counties had yielded victories for the visitors but not on this occasion as Tipp ensured that their U21s will contest a provincial decider on August 7, against Clare or Waterford.
That stat will provide encouragement for the blue and gold hordes still reeling from the exits of the senior and minor teams from their respective championships.
And the intermediates will look to claim a second successive provincial crown against Cork in Thurles on Friday evening.
Walsh and Forde scored Tipp’s goals in the opening half, before Cork came storming back into contention.
Forde scored 1-8 against Limerick in the quarter-final and added 2-8 this evening, with captain Niall O’Meara claiming the man of the match award.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Sugrue 1-1, Jamie Coughlan 0-4 (3f, 1 65), Cian Buckley 1-0, Rob O’Shea 0-3, Brian Murray 0-2, Christopher Joyce, Conor Lehane and Jamie Wall 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 2-8 (1-0 pen, 0-6f), Bill Walsh 2-1, Niall O’Meara 0-4, Tommy Heffernan 1-0, Liam McGrath 0-2, Justin Cahill, Brian Stapleton, Aidan McCormack and John McGrath 0-1 each.
CORK: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig); Colm Spillane (Castlelyons), Patrick O’Mahony (Midleton), Diarmuid Lester (Bishopstown); Daniel O’Mahony (Carrigtwohill), Christopher Joyce (Na Piarsaigh), Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr’s); Rob O’Shea (Carriagline), Brian Murray (Bishopstown); Daire Lordan (Courcey Rovers), Jamie Coughlan (Newtownshandrum), Conor Lehane (Midleton); Alan Cadogan (Douglas), Jamie Wall (Kilbrittain), Brian Hartnett (Midleton).
Subs: Mark Sugrue (Bandon) for Lordan (27), Nicky Kelly (Mayfield) for Cadogan (38), Stephen Murphy (Blackrock) for P O’Mahony (44), Kevin Kavanagh (Carrigaline) for Murray (50), Cian Buckley (Na Piarsaigh) for Hartnett (53).
TIPPERARY: Darragh Mooney (Éire Óg Annacarty); Cathal Barrett (Holycross-Ballycahill), Andrew Ryan (Toomevara), Michael Breen (Ballina); Seamus Kennedy (St Mary’s, Clonmel), Tomás Hamill (Killea), Joe O’Dwyer (Killenaule); Justin Cahill (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons); Jason Forde (Silvermines), Niall O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs), Tommy Heffernan (Éire Óg Nenagh); Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Bill Walsh (Carrick Swans), Aidan McCormack (Thurles Sarsfields).
Subs: John McGrath (Loughmore-Casteiney) for McCormack (35), Colin O’Riordan for L McGrath (50), Conor Kenny (Borrisoleigh) for Walsh (55).
Referee: Shane Hourigan (Limerick).
