Cork ladies footballers stunned by Tipperary in Munster opener at Páirc Uí Rinn

Cork 0-9 Tipperary 0-11

In a shock result Cork lost out to Tipperary in their Munster Senior Ladies football championship clash at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.

This was a game the league champions would have expected to win, but they were beaten by a Tipp side that were up for the challenge and deserved to take the points.

The loss now puts Cork on the backfoot and they will need to win their game against Waterford next weekend to have any chance of reaching the Munster final.

Cork were far from their best, but also credit must go to Tipp who were simply outstanding on the night, and few can complain about the final score.

Sadbh McGoldrick set up Aimee Corcoran for the opening score as Cork went into an early lead.

With seven minutes gone Tipperary were back on level terms when Sarah English scored, before Cork had the first goal chance of the half.

Rachel Leahy went through on goal but Lauren Fitzpatrick denied her a green flag.

A great ball from Clara English set up Anna Carey for Tipp’s second point as they went in front for the first time.

With seven minutes gone Cork had another goal chance as Aine O’Sullivan’s shot came back off the post.

Heather Spillane put Tipp further in front as the visitors were playing the better football at this stage.

Rachel O’Regan got Cork’s second score, with English replying for Tipp.

Katie Quirke replied for Cork to make it 0-4 to 0-3 with 16 minutes played.

But again, Tipp upped their game further, with English scoring again and Eanna Morrissey scoring from a free to put them three points to the good.

But a late point from a Quirke free made it 0-6 6o 0-4 at half time as Cork were far off the display they had against Galway in the league final a few weeks ago.

Aine O’Sullivan pulled a point back for Cork at the start of the second half, with Morrissey replying at the other end for Tipp.

Quirke pointed from a free, after 38 minutes to make it 0-7 to 0-6, the closest Cork got to drawing level until the final minute.

Carey and Clara English both scored for Tipp to put them three points clear as Cork were finding it difficult to break their defensive set-up.

Quirke scored from another free, with Sarah English getting her third of the game to keep Tipp three up.

Two frees from Quirke made it 0-10 to 0-9 as the game went into the final minute.

But credit to Tipp they burst forward with Nora Martin getting the all-important insurance point as Tipp ran out deserving winners on the night.

Scorers for Cork: K Quirke 0-6 f, A Corcoran, R O’Regan, A O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: S English 0-3, A Carey, E Morrissey (2f), C English 0-2 each, H Spillane, N Martin 0-1 each.

CORK: C Richmond; M Duggan, D Kiniry, S Kelly; R Corkery, S McGoldrick, C Hughes; A Corcoran, A O’Mahony; R Leahy, G Murphy, E Cleary; R O’Regan, K Quirke, A O’Sullivan.

Subs: M O’Callaghan for G Murphy (44), L Hallihan for C Hughes (48), A Ring for R O’Regan (57).

TIPPERARY: L Fitzpatrick; T Hoare, M Curley, E Cronin; K Cashman, Nora Martin, S English; L Morrissey, Niamh Martin; C English, L Cunningham, H Spillane; K Crotty Ryan, A Carey, E Morrissey.

Subs: AR Kennedy for A Carey (40), A McGuigan for K Crotty Ryan (44), A Ryan for K Cashman (47), E Buckley for H Spillane (54), L Spillane for E Morrissey (63).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill, Kerry.