When the scribes of hurling seek the most dominant All Ireland hurling final half. This Tipperary second half masterclass has to be up there for consideration.
Tipperary secure Liam McCarthy for the first time since 2019. Cork’s wait for All Ireland SHC will stretch into the twenty-first year. This final turned on its head in a spectacular second half turnaround.
The opening half exchanges were evenly matched. Tipperary adopting the sweeper system closing space for the much coveted Cork full forward line to impress.
Bryan O’Mara assumed the sweeper role as Ronan Maher moved back to man mark Brian Hayes. Tipperary looking to create from the middle third deep.
The story of the half was the emergence of the Cork half-forward line. Given Tipperary’s focus on the inside Cork full forward line. Healy (0-3), Barrett (1-3) and Dalton (0-1) creating space outside.
Tipperary in touch. Jake Morris prominent early with two good points. John McGrath forcing Eoin Downey into an early yellow card. Jason Forde picking off where he left off in the semi-final with a nice long range.
The story for Tipperary in the opening half was Darragh McCarthy who reveled in the final surroundings. Six points scored but for all Tipperary’s effort and competitiveness, Cork were six clear at the break.
After surviving a Forde goal chalked off for a square ball, Cork then scored their own. A sweeping move down the flank finding Shane Barrett who buried the effort past Rhys Shelly. 1-16 to 0-13 at the break.
Willie Connors and Declan Dalton altercation in the tunnel saw both players yellow carded. Water bottle thrown. Passions running high. Tipperary behind, serious questions now asked of the Premier County.
Tipperary emerged after the break a team transformed. Craig Morgan in a more advanced role. Sam O’Farrell starting to find space in the middle third. Turnover ball dominated from Tipperary.
Cork had an opportunity to go seven points up but Patrick Horgan’s free tailed wide. Tipperary continued to elevate their performance levels. Cork’s middle third now under pressure
With Tipperary’s middle third dominant, points followed. Conor Stakelum, Andrew Ormond. Jake Morris with early points. Darragh McCarthy frees continuing to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Tipperary though needed a goal and it came from John McGrath. A Jake Morris point effort hitting the crossbar. Eoin Downey switching off. McGrath had time to collect the sliothar and glide the ball into the net.
Cork now the team under pressure. Serious questions asked as Cork management convened an emergency late afternoon conference. Panic stations in the discussions. No full back replacement summoned which proved fatal.
The Cork fans sensed the sideline panic. Tension created and it relayed onto the pitch. Tipperary sensing blood in the water. John McGrath winning another duel against Eoin Downey who brought down the full forward down.
A second yellow card issued by Liam Gordon. Cork down to fourteen players. Darragh McCarthy’s youthful swag drilling the penalty past Patrick Collins. Six point gap secured. There was no looking back.
Tipperary’s midfield and half-back and forward lines playing with confidence. Willie Connors work rate infectious. The half-back line utterly dominant.
Tipperary players growing in stature. Yet another direct ball found John McGrath who flicked the ball past a shell shocked Patrick Collins. Cork’s rearguard with little response.
Cork left stunned. Cork management team reactions too late. They looked to clear the bench but the game was done.
Damien Cahalane introduced but free concessions the order of the play from Cork now. Cahalane’s charge pinged. McCarthy nailing the free. Tipperary in cruise control.
A final where this second half was transformational for both sides. Tipperary won the half 3-14 to 0-2. For al of Tipperary’s brilliance, this was a capitulation from Cork.
Tipperary worthy winners. Cork with little response when the serious questions asked. An intercounty season concludes with a dramatic second half turnaround.
Ronan Maher eloquently remembered those from the past and present in his acceptance speech. Dillon Quirke not far away from the players and management.
Tipperary underage success and now this senior success bodes well for the county. Darragh McCarthy (1-13) incredible. His composure to deliver on the showcase hurling game of the year immense.
Liam Cahill and Michael Bevans secure the intercounty management accolade quadruple. An amazing win for Tipperary. Thurles will be lit for the rest of the year!
Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary (0-01), Eoin Downey, Sean O’Donoghue; Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey (captain), Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon (0-02); Diarmuid Healy (0-03), Shane Barrett (1-04), Declan Dalton (0-01f); Patrick Horgan (0-04, 3fs), Alan Connolly (0-01), Brian Hayes (0-01).
Subs: Séamus Harnedy (0-01) for Dalton (44), Damien Cahalane for Healy (56), , Conor Lehane for Horgan (58), Shane Kingston for Connolly 64), Tommy O’Connell for O’Mahony (67).
Tipperary: Rhys Shelly (0-01). Robert Doyle (0-01), Eoghan Connolly (0-01), Michael Breen. Craig Morgan, Ronan Maher (capt), Bryan O’Mara. Willie Connors (0-01), Conor Stakelum (0-01). Jake Morris (0-01), Andrew Ormond (0-01), Sam O’Farrell. Darragh McCarthy (1-13, 0-09fs), John McGrath (2-02), Jason Forde (0-02).
Subs: Seamus Kennedy for O’Mara (50). Alan Tynan for Morgan (56). Noel McGrath for O’Farrell (60). Oisin O’Donoghue for Ormond (66). Darragh Stakelum for C Stakelum (66).
Referee: Liam Gordon (Galway)