Tipperary 0-11 Cork 0-8

Cork had to give best to Tipperary in the Electric Ireland Munster MFC semi-final at Thurles on Wednesday evening, May 15th. Cork started the game with the Mallow pair Killian O’Connor and Ryan Harkin at midfield.

Both sides had wides early on before Cork with a movement started by Kevin Flahive, Ryan Harkin, Kevin Cremin, Killian O’Connor and Michael Cahalane resulted in Sean White opening the scoring after 5 minutes. Tipperary took control dominating the first half wind assisted and they should have been further ahead than their 0-5 to 0-1 interval lead.

Tipperary played Tom Kirwan as a third midfielder. They missed a lot of chances. Alan Tynan (free) opened their account in the 10th minute. Good work by Colin O’Riordan to Tom Kirwan resulted in a free that Alan Tynan pointed. Both sides kicked some bad wides. Over the hour Tipperary had 11 wides to Cork’s 8. It took Tipperary till the 22nd minute to get the next score, a pointed free by Tynan. Paul Maher and Alan Tynan added two more points before the break that gave the victors an interval lead 0-5 to 0- 4.

Cork introduced Peter O’Neill and Aidan Moynihan for the second half. The substitutes made a major difference but they found it hard to break down a solid Tipp backline. Colin O’Riordan who was outstanding placed his midfield partner Liam Casey for an early point. Cork were denied a score when Michael Cahalane’s free struck the upright and was cleared. Alan Tynan followed with two points from play and a free that edged the Premier side 0-8 to 0-1 clear.

Cork had a goal chance when Aidan Moynihan and Michael Hurley worked well for Killian O’Connor who was denied by a great save by Jack Brady. Two more substitutes for the Rebels also did well Rickard Cahalane and Donal O’Driscoll. Dylan Quinn at full back did well for Cork all through. In the 40th minute a free by Sean White led to a well taken Michael Cahalane point their first since the 5th minute of the first half. Cork had another point by Cahalane from a free in the 45th minute. With 10 minutes to go Alan Tynan kicked a pointed free 0-9 to 0-4. Stephen Quirke pointed for Tipperary. Cork battled well against the odds, they had a point by Aidan Moynihan with the Canovee man also involved in placing Michael Cahalane for a fine point following a sideline kick 0-10 to 0- 6.

Paul Maher completed Tipperary’s scoring with Jack Bushe and Aidan Moynihan closing the gap to 3. In the dying moments a three man Cork attack finished by Michael Hurley was saved. Had the ball found its way to the net extra time would have prevailed. Tipperary now meet Kerry in the Munster final on July 7. Tipp have made very good progress in minor football championship having won their last 8 games in the Munster MFC and have won 11 of their last 12 matches over the last 3 seasons when you include the All-Ireland series. They are now seeking their 3rd Munster MFC title in a row for the first time since they won two in a row – in 1934/1935 and 2011/2012.

SCORERS

For Tipperary: Alan Tynan 0-7 (0-6f), Paul Maher 0-2, Liam Casey 0-1, Stephen Quirke 0-1. Cork: Michael Cahalane 0-4 (0-2f), Aidan Moynihan 0-2, Jack Bushe 0-1, Sean White 0-1.

TEAMS

Tipperary: Jack Brady (Ballina), Danny Owens (Moyle Rovers), James Feehan (Killenaule), Willie Connors (Kiladangan), Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Ross Mulcahy (do), Kevin Fahy (Clonmel Commercials), Liam Casey (Cahir), Colin O’Riordan (J K Bracken’s), Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch-Drombane), Josh Keane (Golden Kilfeacle), Ciaran Lowry (Arravale Rovers), Alan Tynan (Inane Rovers), Tom Kirwan (Ardfinnan), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan). Subs: Stephen Quirke (Moyle Rovers) for Paul Shanahan, Michael Connolly (Clonmel Commercials) for Luke Boland, Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen) for Liam Casey.

Cork: Anthony Casey (Kiskeam), Michael McSweeney (Newcestown), Dylan Quinn (St. Finbarr’s), Kevin Flahive (Douglas), Sean White (Clonakilty), Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Kevin O’Neill (Glenville), Peter Kelleher (Western Gaels), Ryan Harkin (Mallow), Jack Bushe (Illen Rovers), Killian O’Connor (Mallow), Kevin Cremin (Boherbue), Richard O’Sullivan (Kilmacabea), Michael Cahalane (Bandon), Michael Hurley (Castlehaven). Subs: Peter O’Neill (Ballincollig) for Peter Kelleher, Aidan Moynihan (Canovee) for Kevin Cremin, Rickard Cahalane (Sliabh Rua) for Richard O’Sullivan, Donal O’Driscoll (Clann na Gael) for Ryan Harkin, Conor O’Driscoll (Mizen Rovers) for Kevin O’Neill.

Referee : Sean Joy (Kerry)