All-Ireland MHC: Cork fall to semi-final defeat to Tipperary

Tipperary 5-18

Cork 2-19

Tipperary’s goal threat was too strong as Cork’s Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC campaign ended with semi-final defeat at TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday.

Before a crowd of 2,505, the Munster champions raised five green flags, including three in an eight-minute period in the final quarter after Cork had battled well to establish a four-point advantage.

Chris Dunne’s third goal of the game put James Woodlock’s side into a 5-10 to 2-16 advantage on 54, and while Cork did close to within two again as the game moved into injury time, the winners finished with six unanswered points to win by eight, three of those from Éanna Tucker.

While Cork will be disappointed with how defensive mistakes were ruthlessly punished, they can take positives from what was a seven-game season, with Liam O’Regan, Stephen McHugh and Bobby Power, scorer of 2-8, their best on the day.

Cork had trailed by 2-8 to 1-9 at half-time after a Tipp salvo had turned the game their way and the Premier County pushed further ahead on the restart. When Dunne went for goal from a free, Cork goalkeeper Marley Walsh saved well and the Rebels generated momentum from that as points from Sam McCarthy and Ryan Cagney were followed by that pair combining to set Power up for a fine goal – 2-12 to 2-10, with McCarthy and Power extending the lead.

It was as good as it got for Cork though as Tipp sub Josh Moroney netted soon after his introduction and, though McCarthy replied, Dunne had a brilliant individual goal, capped with a searing tight-angle finish, to put them 4-10 to 2-15 ahead.

Power levelled with a free from a tight angle but it was the last time parity prevailed as Dunne completed his hat-trick. Cork continued to press but Tipp had got on top and augmented their advantage in the closing stages to book their place in the final.

In the first half, Cork had made the breeze count. The score was 0-2 each when Power scored a goal to put them ahead, reacting well when Callum Coffey saw his point effort come back off the post.

It set in motion a purple patch for Cork. O’Regan scored a point and set up another for Coffey as well as being involved in a move that ended with a Seán Riordan score, while Coffey almost got in for a goal but Tipp corner-back and captain Conor Collins made a fine block.

At the other end, Cork were thankful to goalkeeper Marley Walsh for a save from Morrisson and, while a timely hook from Collins prevented another Cork goal chance materialising on 19 minutes, Cormac Murphy ensured that that move ended with a point.

It left them 1-6 to 0-5 in front but, by the time they would score again, through Ryan Cagney on 28 minutes, the four-point lead had flipped in Tipperary’s favour.

First, KJ Dunne’s catch gave him an avenue to goal and, though Walsh saved, Éanna Tucker was on hand to net the rebound. Tucker then claimed the puckout and fed Chris Dunne; his shot was kept out by the goalkeeper but he was unable to get the ball to safety and Dunne claimed possession before netting.

A pair of Morrisson points for Tipp compounded things to leave it 2-7 to 1-6, though Cork did finished the half with three of the last four points, while Nathan Coffey defending well to prevent Zach O’Keeffe from forging a goal opening.

They hit the front again in impressive fashion, but it was to be Tipperary’s day.

Scorers for Tipperary: C Dunne 3-5 (0-2 f, 0-2 sl), É Tucker 1-4, C Morrisson 0-4, J Moroney 1-1, S Ryan, C Kennedy, Z O’Keeffe, KJ Dunne 0-1 each.

Cork: B Power 2-8 (0-6 f), S McCarthy 0-3, S Riordan, R Cagney 0-2 each, L O’Regan, S McHugh, C Coffey, C Murphy 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 (43), C Gantley for Healy (60), S Burke for S Ryan (60+1), R McGrath for C Dunne (60+4).

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), F Cahill (Midleton), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); E Considine (Sarsfields), D Nolan (Erin’s Own), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s); A Hennessy (Midleton), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum); C Murphy (Ballinora), S Riordan (Kilworth), R Cagney (Mallow); C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), B Power (Ballincollig), S McCarthy (Castlelyons).

Subs: T McCarthy (Watergrasshill) for C Murphy (39), C Barry (Bride Rovers) for S McCarthy (56), C Ronayne (Dungourney) for Cagney (60+1).

Referee: N Malone (Clare).