Analysis: First blood to Cork hurlers but it's a long road to redemption
HELD UP: Jason Forde of Tipperary is tackled by Robert Downey of Cork. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
First blood to Cork with room to improve.
All-Ireland champions Tipp on the backfoot with the Ben O’Connor era up and running.
A Rebel back six that Waterford legend John Mullane predicted in the build-up would ship three or four goals, shutting down the Premier’s marquee forwards. Robert Downey asked to start corner-back and then go centre-back for the second half, delivering an immense defensive display.
Rookies William Buckley and Barry Walsh combining for 0-9 from play. Cork flashing over 29 points with another 15 wides for good measure.
No goal scored to get the Leeside fans pumped up but an immense support throughout.
There’s a very short turnaround before All-Ireland champions-elect land in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh looking to avenge the 2024 loss, but the pressure is now off.
Cork did a lot right. They wouldn’t have been seven points up entering injury time if they hadn’t but they’ll look to tweak a few things this week before facing Limerick.
At times, Cork were guilty of over-elaboration, which often comes with the running game. Tipp sourced a number of first-half points from middle-third turnovers, including one that forced Tommy O’Connell into taking a yellow card to prevent a goal.
Brian Hayes, no doubt eager to get the better of Ronan Maher, who was the official Man of the Match in the All-Ireland, was showing well inside but very few deliveries landed close to the D. He never threw off Maher’s shackles.
His club comrade Buckley was a ball of energy in the number 13 geansaí, a deserved RTÉ MVP, and Alan Connolly had two points and a goal chance without catching fire. Cork didn’t really threaten to raise green flags but that was offset by their dominance around midfield and the half-forward line.
Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barett and Walsh each hit 0-4 from play and were all fouled for a converted free, while Rob Downey and Tim O’Mahony were also hauled down for Connolly scores.
Cork will target a similar return against the Treaty but they are far stronger across their half-back line than Tipp.
What was encouraging was how well Niall O’Leary, Ciarán Joyce and Seán O’Donoghue did on Andrew Ormonde, John McGrath and Jason Forde, and then Darragh McCarthy when he came on at half-time. Only McGrath got a score from play.
Again Aaron Gillane and co will pose a more potent threat but with a group stage win, Sunday’s clash isn’t as pivotal as it could have been.
For now, Leesiders are entitled to just enjoy the victory in FBD Semple Stadium. There’s been enough flak thrown at them since the All-Ireland defeat. The first step has been taken on the road to redemption.
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