Performances of Minor hurlers have brightened the mood in Tipperary
Team shows nerve and nuance to beat Cork in All-Ireland semi-final
In a year of gloom for Tipperary hurling at other levels, the minors continue to shine light. Another cracking performance in the All-Ireland semi-final saw the Under 17s come from behind twice before turning in a storming finish that finally floored Cork.
Their prize is an All-Ireland date with Limerick, which will be the third meeting of the sides in this year’s championship. For manager James Woodlock it’s his third All-Ireland final in five years, which is quite a record.
In a high-scoring game of swings and roundabouts, Tipperary had to ride out stormy patches in both halves before finally sailing home by an - albeit flattering - eight-points margin. It took both nerve and nuance from a team that has come through the entire series unbeaten.
After a bright start from Tipperary there were early warning signs. An attempted point by Cork came back off the post and their full forward, Bobby Power, reacted best to plant a fifth-minute goal.
Having waited a month since their Munster final win, Tipperary looked a tad rusty in that opening phase especially. Cork took advantage with some sharp play. By the 15th minute the Rebels were four-up and looking strong with wind advantage. Tipperary needed some stabilising scores and they came on the double.
First, KJ Dunne raided down the right flank and when his shot was parried by the Cork goalie, Eanna Tucker showed his poacher’s instinct to flash home the rebound. Cork had scarcely time to draw breath when Tipp raided again. Great persistence saw Chris Dunne block down the goalie and tap home major number two.
Those goals turned the game, though significantly Cork had the last two flags of the half, which suggested they weren’t going away. We led by two after an up-and-down opening half.
There was a similar ebb and flow to the match in the second half. We were three-up shortly after resuming when Chris Dunne went for goal on a 20-metre free. It was bold, but unwise. The shot was saved, Cork broke downfield and Cormac Murphy pointed. It sparked a Cork surge of 1-4 without response from Tipperary. Full of running and playing direct attacking hurling, Cork had Tipperary on the back foot. Bobby Power, their best player, hit the goal - his second.
It meant Tipperary went from three-up to four-down in an eight-minute spell. This was a worrying period for Tipp, with the game heading into the final quarter.
However, the Tipperary bench press has been significant all year and once more it paid dividend here. Josh Moroney came on and struck a crucial goal, with KJ Dunne and Conall Morrisson playing significant roles in the build-up. Cork pulled a point back but then Tipperary hit the front when Conor Kennedy found Chris Dunne and the Gortnahoe lad flashed in a great goal from the tightest of angles.
Soon afterwards Dunne had his third goal but Cork kept responding with points, and there were still only two separating them as the game approached sixty minutes. However, there has seldom been a more emphatic encore from Tipperary. The Premier rattled off the last six points, five of them in injury time and three of them struck by Eanna Tucker. It was a devastating finish.
Heroes all, these lads showed great composure to get out of a tricky assignment. Chris Dunne was the individual star, posting 3-5 in a display that had everything from a hat-trick of goals to two sideline cuts to missed frees and a saved free. Seldom has the man of the match call been an easier decision.
But it wasn’t a one-man show. Conall Morrisson scored 0-4 from play and his contribution went way beyond that with huge workrate, great aerial fetching, blocking and drawing a fine save from the Cork ‘keeper in the first half. Eanna Tucker had his game of the championship, scoring 1-4 from play.
But it took a team unit to win this game against strong opposition. Team captain, Conor Collins, made some fine hooks and blocks and you could highlight multiple items throughout the game, which all combined to fashion a brave win.
Elsewhere the club scene is revving up nicely in the background. League finals dominated last week, ahead of the divisional championships, which will then spill into the county series. Anticipation is building.
Noteworthy last weekend was Cashel King Cormacs’ one-point win over Kiladangan in the Division 1 decider, played at The Ragg on Sunday. It was what might be termed a statement win from a team getting more comfortable at this level.
Mind you, it all looked a little precarious in the first half, with Kiladangan moving well and playing with significant wind advantage. The Cashel defence was badly exposed for a Sean Hayes goal and it looked like the North side might get away from their opponents.
They didn’t. Cashel hung in, their cause boosted by a pair of goals, with Ger Browne central to both. He scored one and rattled the timberwork for Cathal Quinn to finish the second. The West side stayed in tow, didn’t let Kiladangan get too far away and by half time there was only a goal in it.
It remained a lively, open contest in the second half but, as the cliché goes, goals win games and Cashel found two more through David McGrath and Cathal Quinn. They went three-up but Kiladangan kept pressing and by the end fell short by the minimum.
It was a significant win by Cashel, who have promoted a few younger players this season, such as Brian O’Donoghue and Denis O’Callaghan. Ger Browne was in lively form; Cathal Quinn nicked 2-1; and David McGrath chipped in with 1-3. Ross Bonnar was a useful introduction in the second half, pitching in with 0-2 on his arrival.
In the Division 2 decider, played at Littleton on Friday evening, Killenaule held off Boherlahan’s challenge to secure a deserved four-point win.
A strong wind, which backed the Robins in the first half, was a significant feature but it was the Mid side who drew first blood. A Paddy Gahan goal early on gave Boherlahan the initial edge but Killenaule soon chipped away at the lead.
Helped by the wind, Michael Doyle gave the Mid side plenty of trouble in the first half, as he spun over four points. Tom Stakelum pitched in with another 0-3 and by half time they were three-up.
It seemed a modest advantage, considering the wind, but somehow Boherlahan never came to terms with requirements in a low-scoring second half. In the tight tussles, Killenaule dominated the exchanges, with Boherlahan unable to find space whether going long or playing it short. They needed a goal and came closest when Mark Downey hit the side netting.
The second half scoring was paltry but, significantly, Ciaran O’Dwyer was excellent on the frees for Killenaule, landing six into the wind. It was a decisive contribution. Tellingly, Killenaule won the second half despite playing into the elements, which leaves Boherlahan with lots to ponder as they prepare for the Mid championship.
Finally, Semple Stadium will be the focus of hurling attention this weekend, with the All-Ireland quarter-finals spread over Saturday and Sunday.
Dublin and Clare come to town on Saturday for what is undoubtedly the more intriguing of the two clashes. Uncertainty surrounds both teams and their whereabouts in the pecking order. Clare hold strong favouritism, which is probably based on known accomplishments rather than consistent form this season.
They won handily against Tipperary but lost heavily to Limerick and Cork. Their age profile is autumnal so many see this season as a sort of last hurrah for the 2024 champions. It’s a month since their last round robin game so there are lots of unknowns about Clare ahead of Saturday.
Lack of consistency bedevils Dublin. In fairness they had a strong Leinster run but then fell flat in the final. Beating Kilkenny was notable but not following up was damning. Perhaps low expectations will bring out their best on Saturday.
Sunday then brings Cork and Offaly to Semple Stadium, where expectations are far more clearcut. The Leinster side have done well with two wins, two draws and one defeat in the provincial series. Facing Cork, however, will be a significant step up in standard.
Ultimately, we’ll expect semi-final pairings of Cork v. Galway and Clare v. Limerick – with apologies to Leinster.