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All Ireland SHC R2: Tipperary survive Cork test

Jake Morris celebrates after scoring the decisive goal for Tipperary against Cork at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Jake Morris celebrates after scoring the decisive goal for Tipperary against Cork at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

All Ireland SHC Round Two

TIPPERARY 2-18 CORK 1-17

By Cian O'Connell at the LIT Gaelic Grounds

At the end Liam Sheedy punched the cool November air in delight.

This was a game all about Tipperary’s courage and commitment. Tipperary’s class endures, but Cork posed stern questions at the LIT Gaelic Grounds, and the All Ireland champions were able to summon the requisite answers.

Following Tipperary’s last three Liam MacCarthy Cup triumphs in the past decade, back to back talk swirls around the Premier county.

Ultimately, it was the back to basics which yielded a particularly sweet win against Cork, who had been so effective initially.

Tipperary responded when the issue was delicately poised as second half goals from Jason Forde and Jake Morris sealed a morale boosting victory.

Having endured such a torrid Munster Championship afternoon in the company of Limerick, Tipperary came thundering back just when it appeared Cork were primed to take the prized blue and gold scalp.

In the most exacting conditions an interesting opening period unfolded as Cork played into the teeth of the wind and rain.

Hard working and determined, Cork were content to only trail by three at the turnaround as they nailed 1-4 from eight attempts.

At the opposite end Tipperary had squandered opportunities registering 0-9 from 21 attempts as a pumped up Cork battled in impressive fashion.

With Jason Forde sharp from frees Tipp accumulated a 0-5 to 0-2 advantage by the 15th minute, but then Cork enjoyed a purposeful spell.

During that important burst Cork reeled off 1-2 without reply including a dashing goal in the 22nd minute struck by Patrick Horgan.

The prolific Glen Rovers marksmen pounced to gather the sliotar, and subsequently embarked on a solo run before delivering the crisp finish required.

Suddenly Cork were motoring and when Horgan nailed a free moments later Kieran Kingston’s charges edged 1-3 to 0-5 ahead.

Robert Downey, Cork, and Alan Flynn, Tipperary, in action at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Robert Downey, Cork, and Alan Flynn, Tipperary, in action at the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

Four of the next six five, though, were scored by Tipperary, who went in at the break armed with a 0-9 to 1-4 lead.

After the restart it remained keenly contested, but Tipperary were injected with momentum when Jason Forde mined an opportunistic goal.

Jake Morris’ pass located Forde inside and the Silvermines attacker unleashed a blistering effort which made the Cork net dance.

Seamus Callanan added a point within seconds and Tipperary were 1-12 to 1-7 to the good and Cork were now scrambling about to stay afloat.

The weather wasn’t as wicked as it had been at the outset and the standard of hurling improved because of that.

Seamus Harnedy inspired a Cork revival and by the 59th minute a Horgan free edged them into a 1-15 to 1-14 lead.

Again Tipperary stayed calm, Dan McComrack and lively substitute Paul Flynn rifling cute and critical points.

Horgan restored parity, but Tipp seized the initiative when Michael Breen nailed his fifth point from play.

Substitute Willie Connors provided the neat assist for Morris, who blasted the decisive major and Tipperary’s passage to the quarter-final stage was secured.

Scorers for Tipperary: Jason Forde 1-6 (5fs), Michael Breen 0-5, Jake Morris 1-0, Seamus Callanan, Dan McCormack, and Paul Flynn 0-2 each, Willie Connors 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-8 (7fs, 165), Seamus Harnedy 0-4, Tim O’Mahony, Bill Cooper, Shane Kingston, Robbie O’Flynn, and Declan Dalton 0-1 each.

TIPPERARY: Brian Hogan; Cathal Barrett, Ronan Maher, Alan Flynn; Niall O’Meara, Brendan Maher, Padraic Maher; Noel McGrath, Michael Breen; Dan McCormack, John McGrath, Patrick Maher; Jason Forde, Seamus Callanan, Jake Morris.

Subs: Willie Connors for J McGrath (33), Paul Flynn for P Maher (53), Paddy Cadell for N McGrath (59), Dillon Quirke for Forde (70+3).

CORK: Anthony Nash; Sean O’Donoghue, Damien Cahalane, Colm Spillane; Tim O’Mahony, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Luke Meade; Robbie O’Flynn, Declan Dalton, Seamus Harnedy; Jack O’Connor, Shane Kingston, Patrick Horgan.

Subs: Stephen McDonnell for Downey (48), Darragh Fitzgibbon for Dalton (51), Conor Lehane for O’Connor (60), Aidan Walsh for Meade (69), Billy Hennessy for Kingston (70+3).

REFEREE: James Owens (Wexford).