Munster MHC: Cork lose out as Tipperary finish well

Tipperary 2-17

Cork 0-16

Cork fell to defeat in Friday’s Electric Ireland Munster MHC game as Tipperary finished well in Thurles to move top of the table.

While victory for the hosts was a fair outcome as they did well to quench a Cork second-half surge, but the visitors will feel that a final gap of seven points does not reflect a game that was even for long spells.

The key score was Tipp’s second goal, which came in the 40th minute after four Cork points had put them two in front. Sub Josh Moroney did well to exert pressure as Cork failed to clear and Morrisson found KJ Dunne for a close-range finish.

Another replacement, Rian McGrath, marked his arrival with a point immediately after and Chris Dunne made it 2-11 to 0-14 on 44 – in the wake of that, Cork wasted three scoring chances.

Sam Ring did end a 13-minute drought with a free and did likewise after Tipp wing-back Oisín Kenedy – excellent throughout – set up Ciarán Gantley for a point. However, Cork did not score again and could not force a goal chance, while Tipp eased clear through their main scoring threats Chris Dunne and Conall Morrisson, with Gantley also impressing.

With all five counties having played twice, Tipp top the table, the only county with four points, but Cork will look to learn from this.

Donal Mulcahy’s side had done well to get on top having fallen two behind, 1-8 to 0-9, early in the second half when Chris Dunne got his third point following a quick break when a Rebel attack broke down.

Half-time sub Ryan Cagney kick-started the revival with pair of points, the second of them a beauty, and captain Tadhg McCarthy did well to set up Cathal Barry to put them back in front.

Sam Ring made it 0-13 to 1-8 from a free when no advantage accrued to Stephen McHugh following a foul and, when Conall Morrisson responded with a Tipp point, Ring landed another free when pressure led to an over-carrying call on the home defence.

That made it 0-14 to 1-9 with the clock showing 39 minutes but within moments Tipp had the lead with KJ Dunne’s goal and they did not relinquish it.

In the first half, Cork had the benefit of the wind and led for much of it. Liam O’Regan enjoyed a bright start while Cormac Murphy might have been in for a goal chance before being fouled – Ring’s free put them 0-4 to 0-2 in front.

However, at the other end, there had been a couple of half-scrambles in the opening stages but on 14 minutes Tipp had a chance to move in front.

Zach O’Keeffe did well as his bustling run brought him through the Cork cover and Jack Batterberry’s challenge was illegal in the eyes of referee Eoghan O’Leary – penalty the call, with Chris Dunne blasting home.

Conall Morrisson’s fine point in the wake of that put Tipp two in front and they might have moved even further in front but for a good Marley Walsh save to deny Chris Dunne and claim the loose ball before Morrisson could.

Cork reacted well, with Stephen McHugh the architect of another McCarthy point and O’Regan tying matters with a super effort following loose Tipp defensive play.

Tadhg Murphy, good in a sweeping role, had Cork back in front but Tipp finished strongly. Cork’s tactic allowed Tipp centre-back James Finn to play with freedom too though and a super score from him and a Chris Dunne free sent them in leading, 1-6 to 0-8.

That advantage would be extended on the immediate resumption and, while Cork would turn the tables for a period, Tipp came out on top.

Scorers for Tipperary: C Dunne 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-3 f), C Morrisson 0-4, KJ Dunne 1-1, C Gantley 0-2, J Finn, S Ryan, H Healy (0-1 sl), R McGrath 0-1 each.

Cork: S Ring 0-7 (0-6 f), L O’Regan 0-3, T McCarthy, R Cagney 0-2 each, T Murphy, C Barry 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: E Connolly; C Ryan, D Groome, C Collins; O Kennedy, J Finn, T McLoughlin; S Ryan, H Healy; C Kennedy, C Morrisson, É Tucker; Z O’Keeffe, C Dunne, KJ Dunne.

Subs: J Moroney for O’Keeffe (20, injured), C Gantley for Healy, R McGrath for Tucker (both 40), S Burke for Kennedy (58), O Dunne for Moroney (60+3).

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), H O’Donovan (Kilbree), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); F Cahill (Midleton), S Riordan (Kilworth), D Nolan (Erin’s Own); T Murphy (Cloughduv), C Barry (Bride Rovers); T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); C Murphy (Ballinora), T Huggins (Sarsfields), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: G Kingston (Mallow) for T Murphy (21-23), R Cagney (Mallow) for C Murphy (half-time), B Power (Ballincollig) for Huggins (45), C Stack (Blackrock) for Barry (48), Kingston for T Murphy (60).

Referee: E O’Leary (Clare).