Tipp 20’s fall short in Munster Final

Tipperary lost their hold on the Munster and All Ireland Under 20 Hurling titles as Cork held out for a deserved two-point victory in the final this evening.

GAA: Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 Hurling Championship Final

Cork1-16

Tipperary1-14

Report: Shane Brophy at Pairc Ui Chaoimh

MATCH DIGEST

SCORERS – Cork: Shane Barrett 0-5; Alan Connolly 0-4 frees; Jack Cahalane 1-1 (0-1 free); Colin O’Brien 0-3; Brian Roche, Darragh Flynn, Daire Connery (free) 0-1 each.

Tipperary: Andrew Ormond 1-3; Devon Ryan 0-5 (3 frees); Eoghan Connolly 0-4 frees; Kian O’Kelly, Conor Bowe 0-1 each.

The Premier County will rue four goal chances in the narrow defeat but Cork played the better hurling, particularly in the second half when their half back line took control.

Tipperary made two late changes prior to the start with Darragh Flannery coming into the full back line in place while James Devaney came into the attack.

After slow starts in their previous two games Tipperary were quickly out of the blocks with two pointed frees from Devon Ryan, the second following an advantage after Andrew Ormond was denied a goal by Eoin Davis.

Darragh Flynn got Cork off the mark in the eighth minute before they reeled off three unanswered points from Shane Barrett and two Alan Connolly frees before Tipp’s first score from play from Devon Ryan brought John Devane’s charges back within one at the water-break.

A long range from skipper Eoghan Connolly brought Tipp back on terms before the home side rattled off four points in a row from Connolly (free), Colin O’Brien and Shane Barrett to take command, however, Tipp came roaring back with captain Eoghan Connolly landing two long range frees with Devon Ryan and Kian O’Kelly also on target, the latter blasting over in a goal-scoring position.

Connolly and Barrett nudged Cork back in front but a late Devon Ryan free saw Tipp trailed by one at the break 0-10 to 0-9.

The second half was again equally as tight with little open hurling on show, although Cork had the star man in Shane Barrett who landed his fourth point before Eoghan Connolly responded once more for Tipp. Tipp’s Kevin Maher was pulled for steps in a good scoring position before Colin O’Brien brought his tally to three before Andrew Ormond was denied a goal by the Cork keeper again after being well picked out by Kevin McCarthy.

Conor Bowe was threatening all evening but managed his only score on 43 minutes before Brian Roche restored the two point lead at the second water-break. Andrew Ormond then came to the fore with two points from play to bring the sides level on 51 minutes at 0-13 apiece.

The outstanding Barrett brought his tally to five and a long range Daire Connery free put Cork back in the ascendency before they struck for the key score on 57 minutes as Brian Roche drew an outstanding save from Aaron Browne but sub Jack Cahalane was on hand to send the rebound to the net to open a five point lead.

Cahalane added a free but Tipp never gave it with Andrew Ormond landing a long range point before he goaled in the third minute of added time after Cork keeper Davis denied Conor Bowe.

However, Tipp ran out of time as Cork progress to the All-Ireland final in the New Year.

TEAMS – Cork: Eoin Davis; Conor O’Callaghan, Eoin Roche, Aaron Walsh Barry; Daire Connery, Ciaran Joyce, Daire O’Leary; Tommy O’Connell, Eoin Carey; Brian Roche, Darragh Flynn, Brian Hayes; Colin O’Brien, Shane Barrett, Alan Connolly.

Subs: Shane O’Regan for Connolly (41); Jack Cahalane for Hayes (44); Sean Twomey for Flynn (45); Brian O’Sullivan for Carey (50); Padraig Power for O’Brien (56).

Tipperary: Aaron Browne (Knockavilla Kickhams); Eanna McBride (JK Brackens), Darragh Flannery (Kiladangan), Johnny Ryan (Arravale Rovers); Conor Whelan (Carrick Davins), Eoghan Connolly (Cashel King Cormacs, Capt), Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh); Kevin Maher (Borris-Ileigh), Kevin McCarthy (Toomevara); James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh), Andrew Ormond (JK Brackens), Kian O’Kelly (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy), Devon Ryan (Knockavilla Kickhams), Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy).

Subs: Sean Ryan (Templederry Kenyons) for O’Kelly (48); Max Hackett (Moycarkey/Borris) for D Ryan (49); Keith Ryan (Upperchurch/Rossmore) for McCarthy (60).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick)