Listless Tipp given a lesson by classy Cork

Cork 2-23

Tipperary 1-13

 

A harrowing experience for everyone involved with Tipperary on Leeside last Wednesday evening.

Off the back of the impressive Munster semi-final win over Limerick, Liam Cahill's charges were bullish about their chances of going into the lions den in Cork and coming back with silverware. In the end the lions had a feeding frenzy as they devoured Tipperary from an early stage, leaving them a beaten side by half time.

In all aspects of the game, Tipperary were second best, from first touch, movement, pace, strength, strategy, you name it, Cork were the superior side. In fact it looked like men against boys, or seniors against under 21's as Tipperary couldn't match the level Cork played at.

While acknowledging Cork played very well, Tipperary were a long way off what they produced against Limerick. While it can be said that Cork made them look that way, coaching Michael Bevan's assessment that the team were a little spooked in the early stages certainly has some credence to it. The running of the majority of the players was so labored, as if they were drained physically and/or emotionally as if the occasion got to them to such an extent they weren't able to go out and hurl.

Even if Tipp did produce something close to their best, it is unlikely they would have beaten Cork in any case who were confident and assured in what they did. With Denis Ring's side containing ten players who won Munster senior championship medals three days beforehand, they played in a similar manner and style to their senior side.

 

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