Tipp reel in Cork to make winning U20 start

GAA Fulfil Munster Under 20 Hurling Championship Round 1

Tipperary1-21

Cork0-22

Report: Shane Brophy at FBD Semple Stadium

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Stefan Tobin (Tipperary)

SCORERS – Tipperary: Cormac Fitzpatrick 0-11 (8 frees); Stefan Tobin 0-6; Jamie Ormond 1-0; Oisin O’Donoghue 0-2; David Costigan, Eoghan Doughan 0-1 each.

Cork: Barry Walsh 0-14 (13 frees); Zach Biggane, Johnnie Murphy 0-2 each; Michael T Brosnan, John Murphy, Finn O’Brien 0-1 each.

Tipperary made a winning start to their defence of the Munster Under 20 Hurling title with a hard earned two point victory over Cork on Wednesday evening.

Tipp made a lightning quick start scoring the first six points inside eleven minutes, two from the driven Stefan Tobin with Cormac Fitzpatrick converting two frees before David Costigan and captain Oisin O’Donoghue also got in on the action.

Barry Walsh opened Cork’s account with the first of nine points in the half, eight from frees as Tipp’s indiscipline allowed the Rebels to eat into the lead as Tipp’s scoring rate slowed despite Stefan Tobin doubling his tally from play with Cormac Fitzpatrick bringing his total to five for the half, the final one coming from play.

John Murphy, Michael T Brosnan and Zach Biggane also pointed for Cork from play who had edged 0-12 to 0-11 in front right on half time when midfielder John Murphy was sent off for lashing out at Shane Cleary off the ball.

The numerical advantage didn’t have an impact as Tipp’s indiscipline, conceding 22 frees in the game, allowed Barry Walsh to add another five points from frees as they stretched 0-19 to 0-13 clear on 43 minutes before Jamie Ormond scored a goal which sparked Tipp into life.

The unerring free-taking of Cormac Fitzpatrick, who finished with eleven points, three from play, saw Tipp reel in Cork with Stefan Tobin adding two points to bring his tally to six from play, as they edged back in front on 53 minutes. Cork equalised twice more but late points from Fitzpatrick and Oisin O’Donoghue saw Tipp home.

TEAMS – Tipperary: Paddy McCormack (Moneygall); Shane Ryan (Killenaule), Evan Morris (Holycross/Ballycahill), Cathal O’Reilly (Holycross/Ballycahill); David Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Sam Rowan (CJ Kickhams Mullinahone), Euan Murray (Thurles Sarsfields); Tiarnan Ryan (Holycross/Ballycahill), Shane Cleary (Kilruane MacDonaghs); Adam Ryan (Arravale Rovers), Oisin O’Donoghue (Cashel King Cormacs, Capt), David Costigan (Moycarkey/Borris); Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens), Stefan Tobin (Carrick Swan), Cormac Fitzpatrick (Drom & Inch).

Subs: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall) for A Ryan (HT); Patrick Ryan (Borris-Ileigh) for S Ryan (44); Jake Hackett (Toomevara) for Cleary (58); Jack Hayes (Moycarkey/Borris) for Costigan (60).

Cork: Oisin Walsh; Matthew Barrett, Denis Fitzgerald, Darragh Heavin; Michael T Brosnan, David O’Leary, Ben Walsh; John Murphy, Conor Noonan; Zach Biggane, Barry Walsh, Jack O’Brien; Johnnie Murphy, Barry O’Flynn, Finn O’Brien.

Subs: Colm Garde for Ben Walsh (44); Craig O’Sullivan for Biggane (48); James O’Brien for O’Brien (55); Cormac Deane for Noonan (58);

Referee: Nicky O’Toole (Waterford)