Munster U20FC: Cork impress as they open with victory away to Tipperary

Tipperary: 0-7 

Cork: 0-14 

THE Rebels are up and running in the EirGrid Munster U20 football championship after overcoming Tipperary at Fethard Town Park on Wednesday evening.

In this opening game of the phase 2 round-robin competition, Ray O’Mahony’s charges put in an eye-catching performance to beat a home side who had already played three matches to reach this stage. Cork did take a bit of time to fully settle which was understandable given it was their first competitive game of 2024, but once they did, there was only going to be one winner.

The Leesiders had many impressive performers. They were a joy to watch at times and really caused Tipperary untold problems with their pace, link-up play and physicality. Mark Óg O'Sullivan and David Buckley anchored the defence superbly. Captain Hugh O’Connor pulled the strings from his centre-forward position while the likes of Olan Corcoran and Dara Sheedy also shone, to name just a few.

With a strong wind blowing across the field, Cork hit the first score through an O’Connor point from a free three minutes in. The away side created an excellent goal scoring opportunity a minute later, Ed Myers and Jack O’Neill were involved in a slick team move which ended up with O’Connor, but the latter’s palmed effort was straight at the Tipp goalkeeper Robbie McGrath.

The Premier County had the lion's share of the possession in the early stages but wayward shooting was their downfall. An O’Connor white flag from a mark extended his side’s advantage before an Orrin Jones point courtesy of a free got Tipperary up and running after 10 minutes.

Cork slowly got on top with their movement and kick passing very impressive as they landed three of the next four points, with Rory O’Shaughnessy’s effort following a driving run the pick of those scores, 0-5 to 0-2 after 16 minutes. The sides then traded white flags, Jones with a free before Sheedy kicked over from a mark.

A wonderful free from Bryan Hayes from a difficult angle pushed the Leesiders 0-7 to 0-3 ahead and O’Mahony’s side then created another goal chance after 24 minutes, but O’Connor’s well struck effort smacked off the post. There was just one score in the closing stages of the first half and it came from the left boot of Hayes, a fine point, 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval.

On the resumption, the Rebels continued from where they left off with O’Connor landing a sublime point from a difficult angle after 32 minutes, the score of the match. The teams swapped white flags, 0-10 to 0-4 after 38 minutes before the game tipped along with Cork in control as they led 0-12 to 0-6 with nine minutes remaining.

An O’Connor free further extended Cork’s healthy lead as the game petered out. A Jones free in added on time was merely a consolation as the Rebels ended the encounter with the last score through sub Aaron O’Sullivan as they prevailed by seven points.

Cork face Kerry in the second game of the round-robin stage next Wednesday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm.

Scorers for Tipperary: O Jones 0-5 (0-4 f), E Doocey, S Ryan 0-1 each.

Cork: H O’Connor 0-5 (0-3 f, 0-1 m), R O’Shaughnessy 0-3, D Sheedy (0-2 m), B Hayes (0-1 f) 0-2 each, O Corcoran, A O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: R McGrath; J O’Neill, E O’Connell, M Corcoran; C King (capt), S O’Meara, D O’Brien; J Higgins, E Doocey; T Charles, J Lawrence, M Freaney; O Jones, C Grogan, S Ryan.

Subs: D Hogan for C Grogan (34), P O’Keeffe for J Higgins (37), D Spillane for M Corcoran (40), B Carey for J Lawrence, C Smith for S Ryan (both 55), K Butler for D O’Brien (64, inj).

CORK: M O’Brien (St Michael’s); D Twomey (Ballinascarthy), S O’Connell (Kilshannig), M Óg O’Sullivan (Bantry Blues); C Molloy (Nemo Rangers), D Buckley (Douglas), G Daly (Mallow); D O’Brien (Glanworth), R O’Shaughnessy (St Michael’s); B Hayes (Nemo Rangers), H O’Connor (Newmarket, capt), J O’Neill (Castlehaven); O Corcoran (St Mary’s), E Myers (Naomh Abán), D Sheedy (Bantry Blues).

Subs: A O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue) for J O’Neill, L O’Herlihy (St Michael’s) for B Hayes (both 47), S Copps (Mallow) for S O’Connell (51), R Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for E Myers (53), F Leahy (St Michael’s) for D Twomey (59).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford).