Former Tipperary seniors roll back the years in Masters victory over valiant Cork outfit!

Gaelic Masters Association Hurling Championship - Round 3

Tipperary 2-24 

Cork 1-14

By Michael McCarthy

The Tipperary over 40s continued their winning run on Sunday with a 13-point victory over Cork. Tipp didn’t have it all their own way early on as Cork elected to play with the strong wind which was blowing towards the roadside goal. 

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The rebels were first to the scoreboard with the lively Mark Lee scoring the first of three points inside the opening 40 seconds. Tommy Connors responded for Tipp from the puckout before Lee again popped up with a good score. 

Tipp were struggling to get a foothold in the game with the conditions playing their part as both Joe Caesar and David Young were wide from play. Cork got a bit of luck on five minutes when a loose clearance found Brian Tobin free and his shot from his own half looked to be dropping wide but bounced awkwardly in the square and past Eoin Brislane at his near post. 

The score seemed to jolt Tipp and within 20 seconds had a green flag of their own. The lively Evan Sweeney was first to a long delivery, his goal bound shot was well saved by Kieran Walsh in the cork goal but David Kennedy followed up with a first time effort to the net. 

This was quickly followed up with minors from Toomevara pair Paul McGrath & David Young. Mark Lee, who was running amok in the half forward line got his third point inside seven minutes to restore parity. Cork went back in front through Rory O’Doherty and then extended with a long free from ‘keeper Kieran Walsh. 

Tipp would score four in three minutes through a brace each from Joe Caeser & Evan Sweeney and were never led again. Brian Tobin got one back for Cork before Tommy Collins, Lar Corbett and Shane McGrath further extended the Tipp lead. 

Caesar and Tobin exchanged points, Shane McGrath landed a ’65 while Stephen Slyne & Kieran Walsh responded for Cork to leave the half time score 1-12 to 1-9 in the home side’s favour. 

Tipp started the second stanza brightly and Tom Costello, operating at full-forward, was unlucky for a green flag when his blistering shot was saved over the bar by Kieran Walsh. Costello turned provider seconds later when a cross field ball from Corbett was won by the Cappawhite man and he passed to Ronan O’Brien for a delightful score. 

A Caesar free and a second Corbett point had Tipp seven up before Rory O’Doherty got Corks first of the half on ten minutes. Corbett, Sweeney and McGrath immediately replied for Tipp with three points in two minutes. Cork were still gamey but Tipp were always in the ascendancy. 

Flor Crowley, Stephen Slyne and Brian Tobin got points for the rebels while Tommy Connors and Joe Caesar kept the scoreboard ticking for the Premier. Two minutes of genius from Lar Corbett put the game to bed. 

Corbett found himself alone inside the Cork cover and made no mistake rattling the net and minutes later from the stand side in Borris judged the wind to perfection slicing over a point which started well outside the near post and went over the black spot for the score of the game. 

Declan Fanning, who was a steadying influence at centre-back journeyed up field for a good score while Ronan O’Brien rounded out Tipps scoring. Rory O’Doherty pointed a free in injury time before Eoin Brehon blew the final whistle. 

Tipp were made to work harder in this game than previously but still had a lot to spare once they gained control in the second half. Ciarán Ryan and Derek Horan were steadfast in the full line while Fanning was solid at six. Corbett and McGrath dominated the middle of the field and their work rate and movement was a joy. 

Up front newcomer Evan Sweeney was impressive while Joe Caesar, David Young and Tommy Connors had their moments. Tom Costello, Ronan O’Brien and Tommy Collins were the most impressive of the replacements.  

Tipperary have three wins from three and sit atop the Gaelic Masters group alongside Wexford who have similar. Tipperary’s next game is away to Limerick on the weekend of July 13th where a win will guarantee a final appearance for the second year in a row. 

P.S. – Tipperary player Nigel Kenny of Gortnahoe Glengoole picked up a nasty finger injury during the game and we wish him the best in his recovery. 

Tipperary: Eoin Brislane (Toomevara); Ciarán Ryan (Cappawhite), Derek Horan (Shannon Rovers), Peter Maher (Thurles Sarsfields); Matty Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Declan Fanning (Killenaule, 0-1), Paul McGrath (Toomevara, 0-2); Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, 0-2, 0-1f), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields, 1-4);  Joe Caeser (Killenaule, 0-5, 0-2f), David Young (Toomevara, 0-1), Tommy Connors (Kiladangan, 0-2);  Evan Sweeney (Loughmore Castleiney, 0-3), David Kennedy (Loughmore Castleiney, 1-0), Shane Stapleton (Golden Kilfeacle). 

Subs used: Tom Costello (Cappawhite, 0-1); Thomas Collins (Ballina, 0-1); Ronan O’Brien (Eire Óg Annacarty, 0-2); Owen Shortt (Upperchurch Drombane); Nigel Kenny (Gortnahoe Glengoole); Ger O’Grady (Thurles Sarsfields). 

Cork scorers: Brian Tobin (1-3, 0-1f), Mark Lee (0-3), Rory O’Doherty (0-3, 0-02f), Kieran Walsh (0-2f), Stephen Slyne (0-2), Flor Crowley (0-1). 

Referee: Eoin Brehon (Kilkenny)

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