Sloppy Tipp suffer first loss against Cork

Tipperary suffered a double-score defeat at the hands of Cork in the first game of phase 2 of the Munster Under 20 football championship on Wednesday evening.

GAA: EirGrid Munster Under 20 Football Championship Phase 2 Round 1

Tipperary 0-7

Cork 0-14

Report: Michael Dundon at Fethard Town Park

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Orrin Jones (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Orrin Jones 0-5 (4 frees); Shane Ryan, Eoin Doocey 0-1 each.

Cork: Hugh O’Connor 0-5 (4 frees); Rory O’Shaughnessy 0-3; Dara Sheedy (frees), Bryan Hayes 0-2 each; Olan Corcoran, Aaron O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Tipp were unbeaten in three games in round one and had momentum behind them as they faced a fancied Cork but, on the evening, the Leesider’s were superior in most aspects of the game and not flattered by a seven point winning margin.

With Olan Corcoran, wearing number thirteen but operating as an extra defender frequently, Cork were clearly the better side in the first half with the fresh breeze behind them. They pressed high on the Tipp kick-outs and used the attacking mark to great effect. Hugh O’Connor, their most dangerous attacker, gave them the lead after three minutes and by the end of the first quarter they were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead, Orrin Jones and Eoin Doocey, the Tipp scorers.

Though on the back foot for the most part, Tipp were coping well with the pressure but were twice fortunate not to concede goals, Michael Freaney’s timely interception in the 21st minute, denying Cork what looked certain goal, and three minutes later Hugh O’Connor hit the woodwork, again with a Cork goal looking inevitable.

Tipp reached the break trailing by five points, 0-3 to 0-8, Orrin Jones, again from a free, after eighteen minutes getting Tipp’s third point. It was by no means an unbridgeable gap, and had a few attempts at goal not fallen short, the margin would have been less.

And so, Tipp took up the chase on resuming, but against a well-organised Cork defence, chances were at a premium. By the three quarter stage, following two points from Jones, one a magnificent long-range effort, and Shane Ryan, Tipp were still 0-6 to 0-10 adrift, having made little inroads into the Cork lead, though enjoying a greater share of play than in the first half.

Tipp needed a goal but never threatened to get one and when Cork added three points in five minutes for a 0-13 to 0-6 lead with eight minutes to play, victory for the Leesider’s was assured. Orrin Jones did have a late point for Tipp from a free, but it was of little consequence and the winners will have every reason for confidence as they face off against Kerry in round two.

Niall Fitzgerald’s charges will have no time to lick their wounds as they take on Clare in round two but while disappointed at the outcome in this encounter, there were encouraging signs also with some of the Tipp attacking movements both fluent and pacey. Not enough of them however, to unseat a quality Cork team who demonstrated the step up in standard between phase one and phase two competition. Tipp are also away in round three – to Kerry, victors over Clare on Wednesday night.

The management will have taken heart from the performances of such as captain Charlie King, who was tigerish in his approach all through, Joseph Lawrence who worked extremely hard, and scorer-in-chief Orrin Jones, who added five points to the 4-11 he had already scored in phase one. Eoin O’Connell and Darragh O’Brien were others to impress.

Hugh O’Connor was Cork’s leading scorer and a constant threat while Olan Corcoran was the man to dictate play for them. Bryan Hayes, Rory O’Shaughnessy, David Buckley also caught the eye.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Robbie McGrath (Galtee Rovers 6); Jack O’Neill (Ardfinnan 6), Eoin O’Connell (Loughmore/Castleiney 7), Mark Corcoran (Clonmel Commercials 6); Charlie King (Ballina 7, Capt), Sean O’Meara (Grangemockler/Ballyneale 6), Darragh O’Brien (Aherlow 7); Joe Higgins (Clonmel Commercials 6), Eoin Doocey (Arravale Rovers 7); Thomas Charles (Clonmel Commercials 6), Joseph Lawrence (Rockwell Rovers 7), Michael Freaney (Kilsheelan/Kilcash 6); Orrin Jones (Arravale Rovers 8), Conal Grogan (Galtee Rovers 6), Shane Ryan (Ardfinnan 6).

Subs: Daithi Hogan (St Patrick’s 7) for Grogan (33); Paddy O’Keeffe (Moyle Rovers 6) for Higgins (36); Darragh Spillane (Fethard 6) for Corcoran (39); Ben Carey (Ballylooby/Castlegrace 6) for Lawrence (54); Cian Smith (Clonmel Commercials 6) for Ryan (54); Killian Butler (Moyle Rovers NR) for O’Brien (60 inj).

Cork: Mikey O’Connell (6); Dan Twomey (7), Shane O’Connell (6), Mark Og O’Sullivan (6); Colin Molloy (6), David Buckley (7), Gearoid Daly (6); Darragh O’Brien (6), Rory O’Shaughnessy (7); Bryan Hayes (7), Hugh O’Connor (7), Jack O’Neill (6); Olan Corcoran (6), Ed Myers (6), Dara Sheedy (6).

Subs: Aaron O’Sullivan (6) for O’Neill (46); Luke O’Herlihy (6) for Hayes (46); Sam Copps (6) for O’Connell (51); Ross Corkery (6) for Myers (52); Fionnan Leahy (NR) for Twomey (58).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey (Waterford)