Tipperary v Cork: Player ratings from huge win at Semple Stadium
Brian Hayes of Cork in action against Gearoid O'Connor of Tipperary. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Made some fine saves and could do nothing about the Tipp goal.
Going more direct with his puck-outs has transferred Cork's season and puts huge pressure on the opposition rearguard.
His early yellow card was a concern but he kept his discipline and composure. Cork replaced him when they were in the driving seat but a fine marking job on Mark Kehoe outside of the goal.
Rock solid in the full-back line. Used the sliotar smartly but more importantly minded the house.
Jake Morris did cause Cork problems but O'Leary secured a series of first-half balls, while popping up the field for a point and wide. He was even better in the second half, cleaning up across the 20-metre line and coming up to earn a converted free for good measure.
Has matured from a marauding wing-back to a covering defender and Cork are really benefiting from his physicality behind the 65. His passing was measured and accurate too. Brilliant display.
Another monster showing in the number six geansaí. Cleaned up under the dropping ball and smashed over a couple of second-half points as well.
The first half was his best of the championship to date, spraying passes and reading the breaks. Like O'Leary, he was razor-sharp in the second half as well. An encouraging return to his best.
Operated as the physical foil to Fitzgibbon in the first half before going off injured.
Man of the Match against Limerick and kept up that momentum in the first half at Thurles with three points from play. Quieter second half but set the tone when it mattered.
Had a couple of first-half wides but also lobbed over two trademark points, was fouled for a free and set up 0-2. Added another point and three assists before going off to the fans' acclaim.
Eager to show his sizzling showing against Limerick in the Páirc was no one-off, his touch, movement and pace tormented Tipp early on. Less prominent when Cork went direct through the second half but still very impressive.
Like Twomey, put in the hard yards and intercepted a puck-out for a lovely score of his own.
ALAN CONNOLLY: On fire. Denied an early goal by a brilliant Barry Hogan save, he absolutely buried his chance before half-time.
Wasn't finished there of course and he jogged to the sideline late on with 3-1 from play. A lethal weapon.
Looked dangerous in the first half but only had a couple of assists to show for it. Got two super points on the resumption and never stopped making runs into space.
Now 36 but moving like a hungry U20 graduate, Cork's talisman nailed two brilliant first-half points from play and then helped himself to another 1-2 from play. Square ball ruling denied him a second green flag.
Introduced for the injured Twomey and was flawless in every department. Hoovered up loose possession and set up 1-2, including Connolly's second goal and a deadly sidestep.
Caused absolute wreck off the bench with 0-4 from play and another shot that ended up in a Horgan 65.
Came into the full-back line and didn't put a foot wrong defensively. So good at finding a team-mate with a simple pass as well.
All on in the closing stages and didn't do anything wrong.
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