Cork footballers will need fans out in force as they head into Munster final on enemy ground
HEADING TO A MUNSTER FINAL: Cork supporters after their side's victory over Tipperary at FBD Semple Stadium. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Cork were on a hiding to nothing coming into the Munster semi-final, unbackable favourites against a Division 4 team.
It was going to take a complete meltdown from John Cleary’s side to lose to Tipperary in their current transitional state and that undoubtedly contributed to a sluggish first half. Cork were stuck to the ground in Thurles early, trailing by 1-1 and failing to score until the 17th minute. They headed in at half-time 1-5 to 1-4 up but badly needed an injection of energy.
It arrived courtesy of veterans Ruairí Deane and Brian Hurley, the thirtysomethings making a huge difference coming in, even if both sides only scored a pair of points each in the 10 minutes after the resumption. Colm O’Callaghan was introduced to midfield after 47 minutes. By snaring six Tipp kick-outs in succession, Cork plundered 0-8 without replay, including a pair of two-pointers, to take an unassailable lead.
Hurley then came off injured but the damage was done, with his replacement Conor Corbett, O’Callaghan, and Chris Óg Jones, with his second, hitting the goals that turned an alarming first half into a landslide victory.
Outside of danger-man Seán O’Connor, Tipp’s youthful side lacked the firepower to pull off a shock but by the same token, the 4-18 to 1-12 scoreline flattered Cork.
Steven Sherlock, who came close to a goal in the closing stages, and Mark Cronin were good up front along with Jones. Ian Maguire was his usual consistent self at midfield, with Luke Fahy and Brian O’Driscoll excellent in the wing-back berths.
Cork must be a hell of a lot better, of course, in two weeks to land a first Munster in 14 years and bridge a 29-year gap to their last Killarney victory. They’ll need to be sharper on their own kick-out and more focused from the throw-in.
But they’re in a stronger place travelling to Fitzgerald Stadium then they’ve been at any other stage this decade. Just 1,775 attended the Munster semi but Killarney will be hopping on May 10.
They'll be primed for a Cork team carrying the momentum of Division 2 promotion and ravenous for silverware.
It should be a cracker.
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