McGrath Cup: Cork blow Tipperary away to prevail by 19 points

Cork: 1-26 (1-4-18) 

Tipperary: 0-10 (0-1-8) 

A strong Cork side made a winning start to 2026 following a 19-point victory over Tipperary in the McGrath Cup at a bitterly cold Cappawhite on Tuesday night.

The Rebels were pretty much in control of this encounter for the duration of the game in what was a collective team performance with every player making an impact.

Cork, who have won the McGrath Cup on the last two occasions, took the bull by the horns early on, leading by seven points after a few minutes. 

It was a workmanlike display from Cork albeit against an experimental Tipperary team.

Steven Sherlock came off the bench to mark his return to Cork and the sharpshooter registered a white flag.

John Cleary’s side know that another win on Sunday against Limerick at Páirc Uí Rinn (2pm) will book their spot in the final of the pre-season competition.

The Leesiders hit 1-4 without reply inside the first four minutes with Seán McDonnell landing a two-pointer while captain Ruairí Deane goaled from close range after Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones were involved in the build-up.

Tipperary did put two white flags together from Seán O’Connor (free) and a Paudie Feehan effort, but the direction of travel was only going one way.

Cronin, McDonnell and a Cathail O’Mahony two-pointer pushed the Leesiders 1-8 to 0-2 clear after 15 minutes.

Jones was denied a certain goal after a wonderful clearance off the line by Tipperary defender Feehan before Emmet Moloney slotted over his side’s third point.

Cork finished the first half positively with Cronin converting a two-point free and a great effort from McDonnell who was very influential, 1-11 to 0-3 at the interval.

Cleary’s charges remained firmly in control with little fuss. Sub Luke Murphy and Cronin pointed in the new half before O’Connor bisected the posts for Tipperary.

McDonnell extended Cork’s advantage to 13 points before a Mark Russell two-pointer was Tipperary’s first and only orange flag, 1-14 to 0-6 after 37 minutes.

A pair of gorgeous points from Cork's outstanding midfielder Colm O’Callaghan buttressed his side’s lead.

The Rebels would pull away further as they led 1-21 to 0-7 with nine minutes remaining.

Rory Maguire’s two-pointer the pick of the scores.

Cork hit five of the last eight points with sub Brian Hurley making an impact. He got two points, one which was a free, when introduced.

A straightforward win for Cork.

Scorers for Cork: S McDonnell 0-6 (1 2pt), M Cronin 0-4 (1 2pt f), R Deane 1-1, C O’Callaghan 0-3, R Maguire (1 2pt), C O’Mahony (1 2pt), B Hurley (f) 0-2 each, S Walsh, C Cahalane, M Taylor, S Sherlock, L Murphy, D O’Connor 0-1 each.

Tipperary: S O’Connor 0-4 (0-2 f), M Russell 0-2 (1 2pt), E Moloney, P Feehan, C Smith (f), M Barlow 0-1 each.

CORK: P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), S Meehan (Kiskeam), K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers); B O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), R Maguire (Castlehaven), L Fahy (Ballincollig); C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), S Walsh (Mitchelstown); R Deane (Bantry Blues, capt), S McDonnell (Mallow), C Cahalane (Castlehaven); M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), C O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).

Subs: D Cashman (Millstreet) for B O’Driscoll, D O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for M Shanley, L Murphy (Cullen) for C O’Mahony (all h-t), D O’Connor (Knocknagree) for C Óg Jones, D Newman (St Finbarr’s) for P Doyle (both 36), B Hurley (Castlehaven) for M Cronin, S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for S McDonnell, C O’Shea (Kilshannig) for K O’Donovan, M Taylor (Mallow) for S Walsh (all 46).

TIPPERARY: R McGrath; E Moloney, E O’Connell, M McFadden; D O’Brien, P Feehan (capt), L Boland; M Russell, K Costello; C Deely, B Carey, N Heffernan; C Smith, S O’Connor, M Barlow.

Subs: J Harney for D O’Brien (25), M Stokes for B Carey (h-t), B O’Connor for L Boland, S Ryan for R McGrath, M Lowry for N Heffernan (all 46), N Heffernan for M Russell (62, inj).

Referee: Seán Joy (Kerry).