TIPPERARY and Cork played out an incredible Munster minor hurling semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Wednesday evening last when the two keenest of GAA rivals shared a whopping 44 scores between them to share the spoils after extra time, in what is generally accepted as being one of the most exciting minor clashes in years.
This game had it all - superb defending, fine scores, drama, excitement, mediocre play, sublime skills and multiple mistakes, all jam-packed into eighty odd minutes of hurling in the warm, humid atmosphere on Leeside. At the end of the day, a draw, s
ecured by virtue of a David Drake 65 metre free for Cork in injury time at the end of extra time, was probably the fair result.
But, Tipperary supporters will lament an eight point extra time lead squandered when the Rebels were there for killing off. While it is hard to be critical of the Tipp lads after they burst every vessel in their bodies during the course of the game, it is generally acknowledged that they certainly should have killed off the game in extra time and advanced to the Munster Final to face Waterford.
A perfect evening for hurling, Tipperary travelled to Pairc Ui Chaoimh to take on the defending champions in their own backyard. And, difficult though it has been for Tipp teams to come out of the stadium by the banks of the Lee, there was still much optimism about the minors prospects, especially considering their comprehensive win over Limerick in the first round – a game which Tipperary also had to give away home advantage in.
So, with the Leaving over, the Tipp players were hoping to pass another stern test of their character and credentials. And it would have to be an A- graded performance if they were to come through and qualify for the Munster Final.
Despite the fact that Cork had the opening score of the game through a pointed free from midfielder David Drake, it was Tipperary who got off to a real flyer with a John O'Dwyer goal after four minutes – the Killenaule man latched onto a breaking ball from a long Denis Maher delivery from a free and made no mistake.
However Cork, playing with the aid of the breeze, were back on terms within eight minutes with Dean Brosnan and Jamie Coughlan scores bringing them level. Tipperary had been slow to start in the match and it took them some time to regain the initiative – Sean Curran and Johnny O'Dwyer (2) sending them clear.
But the initiative continued to sway this way and that in what was a closely contested half with David Drake (2) trading scores with Johnny O'Dwyer and David Collins before Cork took over to lead at the interval. Scores from Thomas Hogan, Jamie Coughlan and a fine Coughlan goal after Tipp failed to clear their defensive lines resulted in Cork finishing the stronger.
Full match report on pg 37 next week.
Teams and Scores:
Tipperary: Paul Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Andrew Ryan (Toomevara), Liam Butler (Moyne-Templetuohy)Captain ,Pa Ryan (Clonakenny), Willie Ryan (Clonakenny),Denis Maher (Thurles Sarsfields) ,Alan Hogan (Shannon Rovers), Adrian Cleere (Ballingarry), Brian Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons) 1-1, Sean Curran (Mullinahone) 0-2, Thomas Butler (Clonoulty Rossmore), Ruairi Gleeson (Kildangan), Eanna Murray (Templederry Kenyons) 0-4 , John O'Dwyer (Killenaule) 2-5, David Collins (Drom & Inch) 0-2. Subs: D Butler (Knockavilla Kms) 1-0 for Cleere; J Meagher (Loughmore Castleiney) for D Maher; P Heffernan (Clonoulty Rossmore) 0-1 for Butler; J Ford (SIlvermines) for J O'Dwyer; J O'Dwyer for Pa Ryan; D Maher for J O'Dwyer; M O'Brien (Clonmel Og) for J Forde; J O'Dwyer for Collins.
Cork: T Hogan, R Ryan, D Rodgers, A Cagney, P Wiley, P O'Rourke, J Hutchins, R O'Sullivan 0-1, D Drake 0-7, E Farrell, D Brosnan 1-1, C Lehane, J Coughlan 1-2, P Haughney 0-1, E O'Sullivan 1-1. Subs: J O'Donovan 0-1 for Lehane; B Hartnett 2-1 for Haughney; C Joyce for P O'Rourke; D Lester for Hutchins; M O'Brien for Rodgers; K Hallissey 0-1 for Farrell; O O'Connell for E O'Sullivan.
Referee: Michael O'Connor (Limerick)
