Tipperary v Cork: 14-player Rebels lose narrowly in U20 opener
Cork's Ben Walsh and Tipperary's Evan Morris contest aerial possession in Wednesday's Fulfil Munster U20HC game at FBD Semple Stadium in Thurles. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
A Cork team that had to operate with 14 players for the second half fell just short against Tipperary in Wednesday’s Fulfil Munster U20HC opener.
Before a crowd of 2,669 at FBD Semple Stadium, a goal from Jamie Ormond – younger brother of Tipp senior Andrew – was the difference on the scoreboard and also the moment that served to swing the momentum back the home side’s way.
Ormond reacted quickest when a shot from Cormac Fitzpatrick, who finished with 11 points for Tipp, came back off the post on 42 minutes. Prior to that, Cork had turned a 0-12 to 0-11 half-time lead into a 0-19 to 0-13 advantage despite having had John Murphy sent off in first-half injury time.
Fitzpatrick’s frees gave Tipp the lead down the stretch, with Cork losing their way before Johnny Murphy levelled for Cork and Barry O’Flynn similarly equalised after the excellent Stefan Tobin had his sixth of the evening.
Into injury time, Fitzpatrick pushed Tipp back in front and Tipp senior star Oisín O’Donoghue had the final say.
Such a close outcome appeared remote given the way Tipp began, with six unanswered points in the opening 11 minutes.
A speculative Barry Walsh goal effort that was block was all Cork had to show for that period and, even when the Killeagh man landed a few frees to get them off the mark, Tipp were able to keep them at arm’s length.
Cork began to win more breaks and Johnny Murphy might have even had a goal on 18 minutes but, while being fouled himself, fouled the ball in the act of scoring. Walsh converted the free and another immediately after to leave it 0-8 to 0-5.
Darragh Heavin in defence and Jack O’Brien were to the fore as Cork inched closer, though O’Donoghue did go close to a goal after a catch and run. Cork goalkeeper Oisín Walsh was out well to force him wide, leading to a an off-target shot – from the puckout, Walsh found Zach Biggane, whose point made it 0-9 to 0-8.
Though Cormac Fitzpatrick – deadly from frees throughout for Tipp – and Tobin pushed the hosts in front again by 24, Cork improved further and Johnny Murphy and John Murphy were among those forcing fouls, with Walsh sending over four consecutive frees to give the visitors the lead for the first time.
However, the last act of the half was a reduction in their manpower: referee Nicky O’Toole well-positioned to adjudicate on an off-the-ball incident between John Murphy and Shane Cleary, sending the Cork midfielder off.
Early in the second half, the numerical disparity did not unduly affect Cork as Walsh’s tenth and 11th points nudged them three ahead.
A Fitzpatrick point at the other end didn’t break the flow as Cork replied with three more – two Walsh frees and a fine Johnny Murphy point – to move five ahead and the lead was six, 0-19 to 0-13, when super work from Heavin gave Walsh the opportunity to convert another free.
The goal halved the lead and gave Tipp hope, however. While Cork did almost snatch a draw, it was Tipp’s evening.
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