Munster Senior Hurling Semi-Final – Tipperary 1-22 Cork 0-24

McGrath helps Tipp scramble over the line

SEÁN MORAN at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the Irish Times newspaper

Tipperary 1-22 Cork 0-24: IT’S AS well to beware the hype in relation to Cork-Tipperary Munster hurling encounters but it would take an irredeemable curmudgeon not to have been well entertained by yesterday’s provincial semi-final in Páirc Uí­ Chaoimh. It went all the way to the final whistle, which was greeted with a surge of relief by the champions Tipperary, who had to contest most of the second half with 14 men after the dismissal of John O’Brien for a second yellow card in the 48th minute, but who held on for a one-point victory.

But just before the Toomevara man’s departure, Tipp had given themselves a three-point buffer, which just about protected them in the time remaining although Cork never gave up. Even when the margin stretched to four in the 64th minute, the home side persevered and had reduced the deficit to the minimum by the time referee Brian Gavin brought it all to an end. The Offaly official had an eventful afternoon and even before the throw-in some overwrought posturing from Cathal Naughton and Pádraic Maher necessitated the administering of two yellow cards. Gavin was also compromised by the increasingly unfit-for-purpose advantage rule. His readiness to apply it invariably resulted in the team so “favoured” sorry they hadn’t got the free and in one case when play was pulled back in the 44th minute, John O’Brien was on his way to pile-driving the ball into the net for Tipperary only for the free to be awarded – although in fairness to the referee the whistle had sounded early in that case.

So many different incidents in a match like this could have made the difference but the champions just about deserved the result. They rose to the various challenges presented: containing Cork against the wind in the first half, seizing the lead 10 minutes after the break and raising their game in defence for the remainder of the match. Cork were crestfallen at the narrow defeat, only their second at home to Tipperary since 1923, but they were carrying a couple of handicaps too many between the overall inexperience of the team and the fact that it was their first championship outing of the summer. O’Brien’s red card had opened an unexpected window of opportunity but Cork were just unable to clamber through it.

They started well however and opened up a four-point lead twice in the first quarter. In the subplot of the duelling dead-ball shooters, Tipp’s Pa Bourke shaded the totals by 0-12 to 0-11 but Patrick Horgan took virtually as consistent a line with wrongdoing. Bourke, for his part, will certainly be relieved that his gamble just before half-time, trading a handy point for a thrash at goal from a 20-metre free from which the ball was cleared, didn’t prove more costly. The first half was like a tennis match with the ball flying backwards and forwards and scores being picked off with such frequency that the four minutes between the 28th and 32nd was easily the longest the crowd had to wait for a score.

Cork’s two most exciting prospects Darren Sweetnam and Conor Lehane got early points – the former swooping into goal- scoring territory and the latter reacting after being blocked to flick up the ball and slip free to score from 60 metres. Tipperary’s defence wasn’t comfortable and there other half chances for goals but Cork appeared content to keep the scoreboard ticking over. There were questions asked about the free out awarded on half an hour after Patrick Cronin had touched a long-range free from goalkeeper Anthony Nash into the net but instead of having a cushion of five at the break, Cork were going in with a lead of just two, 0-14 to 0-12, after a first half with wind advantage.

The first 10 minutes of the second half trimmed the deficit by just one but soon afterwards the central events of the match came in quick succession. Tipperary’s goal was worthy of the occasion. It began with a spectacular fetch from Patrick Maher (who had a tremendous match imposing himself physically at centre forward, hustling out possession and drawing frees) straight from Brendan Cummins’s puck-out. Maher laid it off to John O’Brien, whose quick transfer enabled Lar Corbett to advance and hand pass to Noel McGrath, whose shot exploded past Nash to snatch a lead from Cork which they never regained. McGrath finished with an economical 1-4.

Two minutes later O’Brien was gone but the Tipp defence stepped up. Pádraic Maher imposed himself on the left wing, taking one spectacular catch, and breaking forward on a number of occasions while Conor O’Mahony bulwarked the defence in the face of an adjusted match flow, as the screw turned with five forwards trying to occupy six backs. Declan Ryan ran the bench to inject new energy while two of Cork’s replacements Cian McCarthy and Daniel Kearney hit points, as Cork refused to let go – both also hit ultimately costly wides. But they were just two factors in a satisfying contest that swung on a razor-thin margin.

TIPPERARY: 1. B Cummins; 2. C O’Brien, 4. M Cahill, 3. P Curran; 5. T Stapleton, 6. C O’Mahony, 7. Pádraic Maher (0-1); 8. B Maher (0-2), 9. S McGrath; 10. G Ryan (0-1), 11. Patrick Maher, 12. P Bourke (0-12, seven frees and two 65s); 13. B O’Meara (0-2), 14. J O’Brien, 15. N McGrath (1-4). Subs: 19. L Corbett for Ryan (34 mins), 17. S Bourke for O’Meara (55), 25. J Woodlock for B Maher (57), 20. E Kelly for P Bourke (67), 21. D Maher for Stapleton (70 mins).

Yellow cards: Pádraic Maher (before throw-in), J O’Brien (27 and 48 mins), O’Mahony (46). Red card: O’Brien (48 mins).

CORK: 1. A Nash; 3. B Murphy, 2. S O’Neill, 4. C O’Sullivan; 5. T Kenny, 6. E Cadogan, 7. W Egan; 8. D Sweetnam (0-1), 9. L McLaughlin; 10. C Lehane (0-2), 11. P Cronin (0-1), 12. C Naughton (0-1); 13. J Coughlan (0-3), 15. P Horgan (0-11, nine frees), 14. P O’Sullivan (0-3). Subs: 24. C McCarthy (0-1) for Naughton (47 mins), 21. D Kearney (0-1) for Sweetnam (50 mins), 25. L O’Farrell for Lehane (63 mins).

Yellow cards: Naughton (before throw-in), Cronin (38 mins), B Murphy (43 mins).

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).

 

Wily Tipp outfox young pretenders

Cork 0-24 Tipperary 1-22

By Diarmuid O’Flynn for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Not an epic Munster senior hurling championship semi-final in sunny Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday by any means, nothing like the blood-and-thunder slugfests of old between these two great rivals, nor even the high-voltage games of the recent past. What it lacked in bite, however (the only fireworks took place before the throw-in, Cork’s Cathal Naughton and Tipp’s Padraic Maher earning yellow cards for a harmless bout of hurley-jabbing), it made up for in excitement, an enthralling contest between two evenly-matched and well-balanced teams, thoroughly enjoyed by a shirt-sleeved crowd of 32,568.

Worthy winners too, Tipperary reduced to 14 men in the 48th minute after John O’Brien saw red for a second yellow-card offence but still managing ! to hold back the surging red tide. If the champions had taken all their chances though, had they converted all their goal opportunities especially, they wouldn’t have been left hanging on for dear life in those final minutes. What a challenge thrown down by Cork though, what a mature performance even from the likes of teenage midfielder Darren Sweetnam, making his championship debut but playing like a veteran. If they can develop a killer instinct, if they stop settling for the easy point when there is more on offer and go for the jugular, they will become a force. They too had their chances yesterday, late in the second half especially, when this game was very finely poised, but didn’t take them.

In the 59th minute Jamie Coughlan (fine game overall) had a man with him on his left and a clear path to goal but opted for the point; in the 68th minute, Cian McCarthy made a magnificent soaring catch but turned and shot far too soon, again with a man clear on his left (missed the target to boot). Very positive signs for Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his selectors but plenty to work on too — this team still has a way to go. Tipperary won the toss and opted to play into the wind; it worked out for them but in hindsight, you’d wonder — were they wise to concede that advantage to a precocious Cork side? Would they have been better off trying to put them away early rather than gifting Cork the considerable wind advantage, an advantage of which they made full use? Eight points to four Cork led after 14 minutes, 0-12 to 0-8 just seven minutes later by which time every Cork starting forward had scored from play. By contrast an overreliance on Patrick Bonner Maher as a ball-winner and on Pa Bourke as a finisher was already becoming obvious in Tipperary’s attack.

What a game by Bonner though, what an influence he has on every game he plays. His ball-winning prowess borders on the miraculous, his ability to find a player in space equally good. He didn’t score yesterday (had a couple of half-chances a more clinical finisher would have taken, but then who has everything?) but his mark was on almost every Tipperary score. Tipperary did have a good last 15 minutes in the first half, closed the gap to two points at the break (0-14 to 0-12), would have taken the lead but for a fine goal-line stop of a Pa Bourke 20m free by Cork keeper Anthony Nash in the final seconds.

The second half was a continuation of the high-tempo open play of the first, Cork extending their lead to three points (Horgan leading by example with yet another drilled free, lovely control from Paudie O’Sullivan for the second, looked dangerous every time he got on the ball) before Tipperary went on what turned out to be the game-winning run. Started with two pointed frees from Pa Bourke, then came the game-breaker, 46th minute, the only goal, and worthy it was. Started with a fantastic catch by Bonner Maher of a long Brendan Cummins clearance, outlet pass to John O’Brien who then sent Lar Corbett away (had come on as a sub in the 34th minute); the cover was sucked out, Lar passed to the unmarked Noel McGrath, absolutely no chance for Nash. A further Tipperary point, this one by the marauding Padraic Maher, and in just five minutes Tipperary went from three points down to three in front, 1-16 to 0-16. A moment of madness then from the veteran John O’Brien, however, a wild pull on Eoin Cadogan and a second yellow card, and suddenly it was game on again. Cork came back, had their chances as noted above, but ultimately came up short.

Scorers for Tipperary: P Bourke 0-12 (7f, 2 65s); N McGrath 1-4; B O’Meara 0-2; B Maher 0-2; Padraic Maher, G Ryan, 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: P Horgan 0-11 (8f); P O’Sullivan 0-3; J Coughlan 0-3; C Lehane 0-2; P Cronin, C Naughton, D Kearney, C McCarthy, D Sweetnam, 0-1 each.

Subs for Tipp: L Corbett (Ryan 34); S Bourke (O’Meara inj. 55); J Woodlock (B Maher 57); E Kelly (Pa Bourke 67); D Maher (Stapleton 70).

Subs for Cork: C McCarthy (Naughton 47); D Kearney (Sweetnam 50); L O’Farrell (Lehane 63).

Referee: B Gavin (Offaly).

 

Lar’s seamless return

By John Fogarty for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Given it was in enemy territory, the ovation Lar Corbett received was thunderous. Two minutes before half-time, he made a first competitive move in nine months, four after he announced his retirement from the inter-county game and two since he announced his return. The travelling Tipperary throngs greeted him with rapturous applause while the Cork-dominated Blackrock End booed his introduction. Early in the second half, a small proportion of the home crowd jeered him with chants of “Who are you?” after he fumbled half a goal chance.

But it was Corbett who had the last laugh, setting up Noel McGrath for the only goal of the game, as well as winning a free. Ghosting around defenders and searching for loose ball, it really was as if he never left. If Brendan Maher had looked up in the 47th minute, he might have seen his team-mate waiting to pounce. Asked afterwards if he found it difficult to step back into the set-up after two months away, he responded with a deadpan “no”.

But what about his entrance to the fray? With just one point between the sides at that stage and with Cork aided by the wind, it wasn’t as if Tipperary were struggling. “Nothing’s going to be a surprise. Whenever you’re called upon, you’re called upon, so it doesn’t really make a difference. You just have to be ready from the start the very same as everyone else. We’re delighted that lads came off the bench and we’re looking forward to getting back into training Tuesday night, and as a panel to fight for 15 places for the Munster final. That’s the most important thing.”

Concerning the goal, it was an excellently-worked move via a Patrick “Bonner” Maher fetch and interplay between John O’Brien and Corbett to set up McGrath. Corbett could have struck towards goal himself but said: “The best man at the moment is Noel McGrath to take the right option. “I think the right option was to give it to Noel and that’s the most important thing. “We saw it with Kilkenny and Dublin. The man in the best position gets the ball and that’s really what we’re trying to strive towards.”

McGrath, the RTÉ man of the match although Bonner Maher had major claims, was humble about the goal. “I was just lucky to be in the right place. It could be somebody else the next day. That’s just the way it is. You play the ball to the right man and do the best thing for the team.” McGrath was more effusive about how the team coped after John O’Brien’s dismissal. “I’m speechless, really, because it was such a hard-working performance. We’ve put in serious work since the Limerick match, training very hard. Everybody in the gym and the field and everything.” After an early McGrath point, Tipperary didn’t lead again until the 46th when McGrath struck for goal.

Corbett put down their ability to hold the lead for the remainder of the game to the character of the players. “We can talk about it in training, we can talk about it in the dressing room but you have to prove that on the field. John had hard luck to get sent off but the character of the boys came out there and they proved it on the field.” Coming after Kilkenny’s emphatic win over Dublin, things look ominous for the teams remaining in the competition but Corbett’s optimism shines through. “We have to believe. That’s it… we really believe.” A repeat of last year’s Munster final in Páirc Uí Chaoimh will have people remembering Tipperary’s seven-goal rout over Waterford.

But Corbett is reminded of what happened afterwards. “We stood here after the Munster final and said there is a big hole here where we could fall into, that we could get carried away. The Munster final, we are looking forward to it and there is going to be pressure for places in Thurles, starting on Tuesday night. “You can’t get complacent because there is someone standing waiting for your spot.”

 

Tigerish Cork tyros please JBM

By Michael Moynihan for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Jimmy Barry-Murphy was taking the positives from yesterday’s defeat by Tipperary, pointing to his side’s lack of experience as a factor in Cork’s one-point defeat. “The bit of inexperience counted against us in the end, we had opportunities and didn’t take them. Tipperary just about deserved it on the day.” The Cork manager acknowledged that the goal his side had disallowed in the first half was a “major factor”.

“We could have gone in with a five-point lead having played with the wind. We probably needed that. But the players showed great courage after being four points down to come back, though certainly having an extra man helped in that respect. I’m very pleased with the lads and couldn’t fault any of them. “It’s hard to see it from where we were, in fairness, I just couldn’t see why it was disallowed — we contested a ball in the square and it went in, but to be fair to the referee I couldn’t see it. We take it on the chin and move on.”

The manager was unhappy with Tipperary’s match-winning goal: “Certainly at that stage we wanted a free and it was definite. The player wasn’t gone away and I can’t believe he didn’t give a free. I’m not blaming the referee, these things happen, but in that situation, in a tight game, we’d have preferred to get our free. “To be fair to the referee, some days it goes with you and some days it doesn’t. In fairness to Tipperary, Noel McGrath finished the chance clinically. I hope we learn from that and when we get those opportunities.that we take them.” The Cork boss said the qualifiers would be a learning curve all round: “They’re a tough route to go, I’ve never been down that route as player or manager, and it’s new to me. Our job now will be to pick up our players after the defeat today, which can be quite shattering.”

He added that Cork had needed the performance after the crushing league final defeat to Kilkenny. “The League final was an absolute debacle for us,” said Barry-Murphy. “It was a learning experience for us on the line as well and we took the major share of the blame because we felt we hadn’t prepared the players properly for the challenges that Kilkenny would give. I’m thrilled with the response — they showed great character and great courage to play in front of their own supporters and put up a great show. We didn’t win and we’re never happy to lose, but to come back from the League final they were fantastic today.”

Asked if he’d prefer to face Offaly or Dublin, Barry-Murphy said: “It’s a difficult route for everyone — no one wants to be chasing it that way. We know where we were after the League final so we know that Dublin didn’t become a bad team over night, or Offaly. Regardless it is going to be a very difficult game for us and we’re in no position to be over-confident against anyone. We face into both of those games with trepidation.” The Cork manager said Niall McCarthy (broken knuckle) was a doubt for the first qualifier game, and rebutted suggestions his side were back up with the best teams around. “I wouldn’t think that at all. We have a long way to go yet before we’re as good as Kilkenny or Tipperary even. It’s a learning process and a hard learning process, but since the League final the players have shown great attitude. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

 

Tipperary hold on in thrilling finish

Report from the GAA.ie web site

Munster GAA Hurling Championship Semi-Final: Cork 0-24 Tipperary 1-22

In the end Tipperary just about hung on, their greater experience and greater strength in depth proving enough to hold off a brave Cork comeback in a thrilling Munster semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday. Cork had the better for the first half and led by 0-14 to 0-12 at the break, but the reigning champions struck for the decisive goal on 45 minutes, the returning Lar Corbett playing in his team-mate Noel McGrath, who finished a superb move with a neat finish. McGrath added a point seconds after the game restarted and Tipperary looked to be in the driving seat until John O’Brien was shown a second yellow card just two minutes after the goal.

Tipperary played the remaining 24 minutes with 14 men, but they always looked in control until the final 10 minutes, when Cork came back to hit the final three scores of the game to set up a thrilling finale. However, a late wide from Cian McCarthy proved costly as the Rebels’ man marksman, Pa Horgan, had to drop over his ninth point of the game 90 seconds into added time and hope that referee Brian Gavin would allow enough time for the game to restart and for the home side to, perhaps, snatch a final, equalising score of the game.

Alas, it was not to be for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s young side, who will definitely feel that they missed a great chance to cause a big upset and knock the reigning champions out of the competition. They will certainly look back on the game with regrets, and especially a disallowed goal at the end of the first half, when Jamie Coughlan was penalised after touching a dropping ball past Brendan Cummins. But Tipperary showed plenty of character to win a game that might well have slipped away from them. Manager Declan Ryan had the luxury of bringing 2010 Hurler of the Year Corbett off the bench just before half-time, while six-time GAA All Star Eoin Kelly was also brought in to lend some vital experience in those edgy final minutes.

Barry-Murphy had given youth its chance with a bold team selection and it looked to have paid off in the first half, but the lack of experienced players available to him was illustrated when Daniel Kearney, Luke O’Farrell and Cian McCarthy were the trio he chose to bring off the bench in the second half. Tipperary go into a Munster final against Waterford on July 15 for second year in a row with a second impressive win behind them, while Cork go into the Qualifiers knowing they gave Tipperary the fright of their lives.

Any doubts over the intensity and competitiveness the game would be played at were erased before a ball had been thrown in, with Pádraic Maher and Cathal Naughton engaged in a bout of rutting before the ball was thrown in. When the game did start, Noel McGrath put the reigning champions ahead inside a minute, but it was Cork who made the better start, with scores from Horgan, Darren Sweetnam and Conor Lehane giving the home side a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. The opening quarter was fast and furious, with both sides trading scores at a remarkable rate. Gearóid Ryan and McGrath had the gap back down to one by the 11th minute, but the Rebels hit a rich seam of form to lace three points together, the constant movement of their young and very mobile forwards causing the Tipperary defence serious problems.

Horgan was very accurate from frees, while Jamie Coughlan pitched in with two points from play in the first half. Horgan’s first from play was a real beauty, his shot from under the covered stand giving the Rebels a 0-12 to 0-8 lead on 21 minutes following a breathless start to the game. Eventually, the game settled down and as Tipp finally began to gain a toehold in the middle of the field Pa Bourke scored from three successive placed balls to cut the gap to 0-12 to 0-11. Horgan’s second point from play came seconds after Tipperary manager Declan Ryan brought Corbett in for his first taste of competitive action this year, the 2010 Hurler of the Year replacing Gearóid Ryan on 34 minutes.

Cork were 0-14 to 0-12 ahead in stoppage time, but the gap might have been less had Pa Bourke’s 21-metre free not been saved by a thicket of Cork defenders on the stroke of half-time. Tipp trailed by 0-16 to 0-15 when they grabbed the only goal of the game. Patrick Maher won possession with a towering leap, and when he fed Corbett a roar of anticipation went up in the Tipperary end. Corbett, though, flicked a neat pass into McGrath, whose finish past Anthony Nash was precise.

McGrath added another point almost immediately and suddenly all the momentum was with the Premier men. That was until John O’Brien was shown a second yellow card and the champions were forced to answer some searching questions in the final quarter. Cork hit three of the next four points and were level by the 55th minute. But Tipp never allowed Cork to edge in front with the superb Pa Bourke hitting two more frees and McGrath adding two more points to bring his tally to 1-4. When Corbett was fouled with six minutes left, Pa Bourke slotted over his 12th point of the game and it looked like Tipperary were home and dry. Points from Kearney and two from Horgan reduced the gap to one in added time, but Tipperary just about held on to win a gripping contest.

Cork Scorers: D Sweetnam 0-1, C Lehane 0-2, P Cronin 0-1, C Naughton 0-1, J Coughlan 0-3, P O’Sullivan 0-3, P Horgan 0-11 (0-9f), D Kearney 0-1, C McCarthy 0-1,

Tipperary Scorers: Pádraic Maher 0-1, B Maher 0-2, P Bourke 0-12 (0-7f, 0-2 65), B Maher 0-2, B O’Meara 0-2, N McGrath 1-4.

Cork: A Nash; S O’Neill, B Murphy, C O’Sullivan; T Kenny, E Cadogan, W Egan; D Sweetnam, L McLoughlin; C Lehane, P Cronin, C Naughton; J Coughlan, P O’Sullivan, P Horgan. Subs: C McCarthy for Naughton (46), D Kearney for Sweetam (50), L O’Farrell for Lehane (62)

Tipperary: B Cummins; C O’Brien, P Curran, M Cahill; Stapleton, C O’Mahony, Pádraic Maher; B Maher, S McGrath; G Ryan, Patrick Maher, P Bourke; B O’Meara, J O’Brien, N McGrath. Subs: Lar Corbett for G Ryan (34), S Bourke for B O’Meara (55), J Woodlock for B Maher (57), E Kelly for P Bourke (67), D Maher for Stapleton (70).

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)

Attendance: 32,568

Team News

The Tipperary senior hurling team to play Cork in the Munster SH championship semi-final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday shows 3 changes from the team which started the first round game against Limerick. Conor O’Brien, Shane McGrath and Patrick Maher start in place of Donagh Maher, James Woodlock and Eoin Kelly. The team is:

1. Brendan Cummins (Ballybacon-Grange)

2. Conor O’Brien (Éire Óg Annacarty)

3. Paul Curran (Mullinahone) Captain

4. Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)

5. Thomas Stapleton (Templederry Kenyons)

6. Conor O’Mahony (Newport)

7. Padraic Maher (Thurles Sarsfields)

8. Brendan Maher (Borris–Ileigh)

9. Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch)

10. Gearóid Ryan (Templederry Kenyons)

11. Patrick Maher (Lorrha & Dorrha)

12. Pa Bourke (Thurles Sarsfields)

13. Brian O’Meara (Kilruane MacDonaghs)

14. John O’Brien (Toomevara)

15. Noel McGrath (Loughmore Castleiney)

 

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Tipperary in Sunday’s Munster Hurling Championship Semi-Final at 4pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh will line out as follows:

1. Anthony Nash

2. Shane O Neill 3. Brian Murphy 4. Conor O’Sullivan

5. Tom Kenny 6. Eoin Cadogan 7. William Egan

8. Darren Sweetnam 9. Lorcán Mc Loughlin

10. Conor Lehane 11. Pa Cronin 12. Cathal Naughton

13. Jamie Coughlan14. Paudie O’Sullivan 15. Patrick Horgan

Subs:

16. Darren McCarthy – Ballymartle

17. Stephen McDonnell- Glen Rovers

18. Damien Cahalane – St. Finbarrs

19. Killian Murphy – Erin’s Own

20. Christopher Joyce – Na Piarsaigh

21. Daniel Kearney – Sarsfields

22. Seán Óg hAilpín – Na Piarsaigh

23. John Gardiner – Na Piarsaigh

24. Cian McCarthy – Sarsfields

25. Luke O’Farrell – Midleton

26. Stephen Moylan – Douglas

Irish Rail discounts

Munster GAA have teamed up with Iarnród Éireann to provide Tipperary supporters with discounts of up to 87% on their Match and Train tickets for the Tipperary v Cork Munster GAA Hurling Semi-Final in Pairc U i Chaoimh, Cork on Sunday June 24th.

Return fares	Current online fare	Match day special fare	Discount
Templemore	€39.98	€23.98	40%
Thurles	€39.98	€19.98	50%
Limerick Junction	€35.00	€15.98	54%
Ticket Price	Current	Discounted price	Discount
Uncovered Stand	€25	€20	20%
Terrace	€15	€10	33%

Once the person has purchased their train tickets they will get a promo code. They will then be able to click through to our ticket sales website. When they attempt to buy the discount tickets they will be asked to provide the code, before completing purchase of the discounted match tickets. The discount depends on the station you wish to travel from (as per the table above) and the type of ticket they buy. There are also €5 Family Stand tickets available.

Book online at www.irishrail.ie for these discounted fares. Children up to 15 years of age half fare. Proof of age may be required. Limited availability, advance booking advised. Terms, conditions, transaction and credit card charges apply.

Match Promotions

Family Packages – 2 Adults and 2 Kids total price €60 (Uncovered) – Available from Clubs and County Boards. Limited numbers available online.

Terrace Group Tickets – Minimum order 20 – Order 20 get 7 free €10 per ticket – Available from Clubs

Stand Group Tickets – Minimum order 15 – Buy 8 get 2 free €25/€20 per ticket – Available from Clubs Only (Tickets in selected sections)

Juvenile Group Tickets – Minimum order 20 – 20 Kids and 2 Adults €60 (All Matches) – Available from Clubs Only

Admission Prices (excluding discounts)

Covered Stand €30

Uncovered Stand €25

Terrace €15

Family Adult Covered €30 – Juveniles €5

Family Adult Uncovered €25 – Juveniles €5

Student/OAP – Concession on Stand Tickets only – pay full price and get a refund of €10 at specified Stiles on the day (on production of valid I.D.)

For the Record

	Cork	Tipperary
2012 Team Manager	Jimmy Barry-Murphy	Declan Ryan
2011 Championship Performance	Lost to Tipperary in the first round in Munster. Defeated Laois and Offaly in the Qualifiers before losing to Galway by 2-23 to 1-14.	Defeated Cork, Clare and Waterford to win the Munster Final. Defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland Semi-Final before losing to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final.
Number of Munster Senior Hurling titles	51	39
Last Munster Senior Hurling Title	2006	2011
Munster Senior Hurling Championship Record since 2000	Played – 23 Won – 14 Lost –  8 Drawn – 1	Played – 30 Won – 19 Lost –  8 Drawn – 3
Last meeting in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship	May 29th 2011 – Tipperary 3-22 Cork 0-23 (Munster Quarter-Final at Semple Stadium Thurles) – First half goals by Eoin Kelly and Lar Corbett helped Tipp to a 2-11 to 0-10 interval lead. Cork’s play improved in the second half to draw level after 56 minutes before a series of late points and a Benny Dunne goal secured Tipperary’s victory.

Munster GAA HURLING Senior Championship 2012

Quarter-Final

Sunday May 27^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles Tipperary 2-20 Limerick 1-19

Semi-Finals
Sunday June 17^th

@ Semple Stadium Thurles Waterford 2-17 Clare 1-18

Sunday June 24^th (Replay date – June 30^th)

@ Pairc Ui Chaoimh                        Cork v Tipperary                                        @ 4:00pm

Final

Sunday July 15^th (Replay date – July 21^st)

Venue permutations

@ Semple Stadium Thurles Waterford v Cork                                           @ 4:00pm

@ Pairc Ui Chaoimh                        Waterford v Tipperary                                   @ 4:00pm

2012 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Matches played to date

Tipperary 2-20 Limerick 1-19 – May 27th @ Semple Stadium Thurles (Munster Quarter-Final)

Tipperary: B Cummins; D Maher (C O’Brien 48), P Curran, M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; J Woodlock (S McGrath 28), B Maher; G Ryan (S Callanan 50), N McGrath, P Bourke; E Kelly (Patrick Maher 42), B O’Meara, J O’Brien (S Bourke 63).

Limerick: N Quaid; S Walsh, R McCarthy, T Condon; W McNamara (T Ryan 68), D O’Grady, G O’Mahoney; P Browne, J Ryan; D Breen, C Allis (B Geary 63), S Dowling; S Tobin (N Moran 65), K Downes (D Hannon 50), G Mulcahy.

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)

Waterford 2-17 Clare 1-18 – June 17^th @ Semple Stadium Thurles (Munster Semi-Final)

Waterford: S O’Keeffe; A Kearney, L Lawlor, S Daniels; R Foley, M Walsh, K Moran; P Mahony, S Molumphy; M Shanahan, D Prendergast, E Kelly; J Mullane, S Walsh, G O’Brien
Subs: N Connors for Kearney (h.t.), P O’Brien for G O’Brien (49), T Ryan for S Walsh (59), D Twomey for Foley (61), M O’Neill for Kelly (68).

Clare: P Kelly; D O’Donovan, C Dillon, C Cooney; B Bugler, J McInerney, P O’Connor; P Donnellan, N O’Connell; J Conlon, J Clancy E Barrett; P Collins, C Ryan, C McGrath
Subs: L Markham for McInerney (45), F Lynch for Barrett (54), S Morey for O’Connor (59), D Honan for Collins (60), A Cunningham for Ryan (65).

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath)

2012 Top Scorers – Munster Senior Hurling Championship

Pa Bourke (Tipperary) – 1-7 (0-4 frees, 0-1 65)
Shane Dowling (Limerick) – 0-8 (0-4 frees)
Maurice Shanahan (Waterford) – 0-7 (0-5 frees)
Brian O’Meara (Tipperary) – 1-2
Shane Walsh (Waterford) – 1-2
Graham Mulcahy (Limerick) – 1-2
John Conlon (Clare) – 1-2
Nicky O’Connell (Clare) – 0-5 (0-4 frees)
Conor McGrath (Clare) – 0-4
Noel McGrath (Tipperary) – 0-3
Eoin Kelly (Waterford) – 1-0 penalty
John Mullane (Waterford) – 0-3
Sean Tobin (Limerick) – 0-3
Colin Ryan (Clare) – 0-3 frees
Jonathon Clancy (Clare) – 0-3

Seamus Callanan (Tipperary) – 0-2 (0-1 free)
Kevin Downes (Limerick) – 0-2
Conor Allis (Limerick) – 0-2

Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) (0-1 free), Thomas Stapleton (Tipperary), John O’Brien (Tipperary), Shane Bourke (Tipperary), Shane McGrath (Tipperary), Conor O’Brien (Tipperary), Philip Mahony (Waterford), Stephen Molumphy (Waterford), Seamus Prendergast (Waterford), Gavin O’Brien  (Waterford), M O’Neill (Waterford), David Breen (Limerick), Declan Hannon (Limerick), Patrick Kelly (Clare) (0-1 free) – 0-1 each

Useful Information

Cork and Tipperary have met on 81 occasions in the Championship. Cork have won 37, Tipperary 36 and there have been 7 draws. 1 match was abandoned.

In the history of Tipperary and Cork matches in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, on only 1 occasion did a game fail to produce a goal. That game in the 1900 Munster First Round game played at Dungarvan on November 4^th 1901 and resulted in a 0-12 to 0-9 victory for Tipperary.

Waterford have qualified for their fourth consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Final – the first time they have achieved this record based on consistency. Cork last qualified for 4 Munster Finals in a row from 2003 to 2006 while Tipperary last decent run of consecutive finals was from 1987 to 1991 when they qualified for 5 finals on the trot. Limerick last achieved this feat from 1973 to 1976 while Clare never qualified for four consecutive finals but did compete in 6 out of 7 finals from 1993 to 1999.

Cork won at least 1 Munster Senior Hurling Championship match from 2003 to 2007. Only Tipperary (2000 to 2002) and Waterford (2002 to 2004, 2009 to 2012) have managed to go 3 or more consecutive years with at least 1 victory within the last decade.

In Division 1A of the 2012 Allianz Hurling League, Tipperary racked up the second highest total of scores, an aggregate of 119 points (3 goals and 110 points). On the flip side, Tipperary conceded the most scores, an aggregate of 115 points followed by the concession of 1-25 in the semi-final defeat by Cork. Waterford recorded the lowest number of scores, an aggregate of 91 points. Clare conceded just 84 points on aggregate in their 5 games in Division 1B, the lowest total conceded by any of the 12 Division 1 teams.

The 2011 Munster Senior Hurling Championship saw an increase in the number of scores per game for the first time in 4 years. The average number of scores per match in 2011 was 43, a significant increase of 9 scores per match on the 2010 Munster Senior Hurling Championship. The highest scoring game yielded 48 scores, the first round victory of Tipperary over Cork by 3-22 to 0-23. The average number of scores in the two matches to date in 2012 is 40 scores per game.

Tipperary’s Eoin Kelly was the top scorer in the 2011 Munster Senior Hurling Championship, scoring 4-16 (0-10 from frees) in 3 matches. Lar Corbett (Tipperary) was 2nd with 6 goals and 6 points from play including 4-4 in the Munster Final v Waterford. Pauric Mahony (Waterford) was third on the scoring charts with 0-20 (0-16 from frees) in two matches. Seamus Callanan (Tipperary) scored 2-10 from play to finish fourth.

2011 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final – Tipperary 3-22 Cork 0-23

Tipperary Scorers: E Kelly 1-07 (0-5f), L Corbett 1-2, S Callanan 0-5, N McGrath 0-4 (0-2 sl), B Dunne 1-0, J O’Brien 0-2, Patrick Maher 0-1, J Woodlock 0-1.

Cork Scorers: P Horgan 0-13 (0-10f), N McCarthy 0-3, B O’Connor 0-3, J Gardiner, P Cronin, C McCarthy and P O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Tipperary: B Cummins; P Stapleton, P Curran, M Cahill; D Young, Pádraic Maher, J O’Keeffe; G Ryan, S McGrath; S Callanan, N McGrath, Patrick Maher; E Kelly, J O’Brien, L Corbett.

Subs: J Woodlock for S McGrath ‘40, C O’Mahony for Young ‘59, B Dunne for O’Brien ‘62, P Bourke for Ryan ‘66.

Cork: D Óg Cusack; S McDonnell, E Cadogan, S O’Neill; J Gardiner, W Egan, B Murphy; L McLoughlin, P Cronin; B O’Connor, C McCarthy, N McCarthy; L Farrell, P O’Sullivan, P Horgan.

Subs: J O’Connor for C McCarthy ‘45, J Nagle for O’Neill ‘45, T Kenny for McLoughlin ‘51, C Naughton for Horgan ‘70, K Murphy for O’Sullivan ‘70.

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly)

Munster GAA HURLING Senior Championship Roll Of Honour

Cork (50) – 1890, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1915, 1919, 1920, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1939, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1956, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006

Tipperary (39) – 1895, 1896, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1913, 1916, 1917, 1922, 1924, 1925, 1930, 1937, 1941, 1945, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1971, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 2001, 2008, 2009, 2011

Limerick (18) – 1897, 1910, 1911, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1955, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1981, 1994, 1996

Waterford (9) – 1938, 1948, 1957, 1959, 1963, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010

Clare (6) – 1889, 1914, 1932, 1995, 1997, 1998

Kerry (1) – 1891

Munster GAA HURLING Senior Championship – List of Winning Teams

Visit the Munster GAA web site History section to view the complete list of each winning team since the competition began 1888 – https://munster.gaa.ie/history/sh_teams/

Munster Senior HURLING Cup

No Name – Presented by Munster Council in 1928, new cup presented in 1990

All Ireland GAA HURLING Senior Championship

In the Senior Hurling All Ireland Roll of Honour, Cork are second on the list with 30 titles, 3 behind Kilkenny. Tipperary have won 26 All-Ireland titles. Limerick have 7 titles, their last one in 1973. Clare have won 3 titles in 1914, 1995 and 1997 while Waterford’s two titles came in 1948 and 1959. Kerry won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final in 1891.

Contact Munster GAA PRO Ed Donnelly at pro.munster@gaa.ie for more information

 

Press Pack for Tipperary Senior Hurling Panel

Team Announcement

The Tipperary team will be announced by email and local radio at 9pm on Thursday June 20^th. It will be posted on the Tipperary GAA website shortly after 9pm.

A full list of player profiles can be found on the Tipperary GAA web site at www.tipperary.gaa.ie.

Declan Ryan (Clonoulty Rossmore), Tommy Dunne (Toomevara) and Michael Gleeson (Thurles Sarsfields) are in their second season in charge of the Tipperary Senior Hurling team.

The Tipperary captain for 2012 is Paul Curran of Mullinahone and the vice-captain is Padraic Maher of Thurles Sarsfields. They succeeded Eoin Kelly and Conor O’Mahony respectively.

Championship 2012

Tipperary 2-20 Limerick 1-19 Munster SHC Quarter-final Semple Stadium 27/5/12

B Cummins; D Maher, P Curran, M Cahill; T Stapleton, C O’Mahony, Padraic Maher; J Woodlock, B Maher; G Ryan, N McGrath, P Bourke; E Kelly, B O’Meara, J O’Brien.

Subs: S McGrath for Woodlock (28), Patrick Maher for Kelly (42), C O’Brien for D Maher (49), S Callanan for Ryan (51), S Bourke for J O’Brien (64).

Scorers: P Bourke 1-7 (4fs, 1 65), B O’Meara 1-2, N McGrath 0-3, S Callanan 0-2 (1f), T Stapleton, E Kelly (f), J O’Brien, S Bourke, S McGrath, C O’Brien, 0-1 each.

Allianz Hurling League 2012

Results

Sunday February 26^th at Nowlan Park                              Kilkenny 2-17    Tipperary 0-15

Sunday March 11^th at Semple Stadium                            Tipperary 2-20    Galway 2-18

Sunday March 18^th at Semple Stadium                            Tipperary 0-31    Waterford 2-15

Satruday March 24^th at Croke Park                                 Dublin 2-15        Tipperary 0-21 Sunday April 1^st at Semple Stadium                                   Tipperary 1-23    Cork 1-23

Sunday April 22^nd semi-final at Semple Stadium                Cork 1-25          Tipperary 2-15

Appearances

Total Times Played: 81   Cork won 37, Tipp won 36, Draws 7, Abandoned 1.

Two of Tipp’s wins were unfinished games.

Cork also received walk overs in the championships of 1901 and 1905 respectively

Date                Venue                          Stage                              Result

27/5/1888          Buttevant           Munster SHC  Rd 1        Tipperary 2-1 Cork 0-0 (Unfinished)

4/3/1895            Charleville         MSHC Final ( 1894)        Cork 3-4 Tipperary 1-2

1/8/1897            Kilmallock         MSHC Final  (1896)        Tipperary 1-3 Cork 1-3 (Draw).

4/11/1897          Jones’ Rd,         MSHC Final  (1896)        Tipperary 7-9  Cork 2-3 (Replay)

Dublin

1/8/1898            Cork                 MSHC S/F (1897)          Cork 4-16 Tipperary 0-2

 

15/10/1899        Dungarvan         MSHC Final (1898)         Tipperary 3-0 Cork 2-3 (Draw)

20/11/1899        Kilmallock                     MSHC Final (1898)         Tipperary 1-13 Cork 1-2 (Replay)

4/11/1901          Dungarvan         MSHC Rd 1 (1900)         Tipperary 0-12 Cork 0-9

10/10/1904        Markets Field,   MSHC Rd 1 (1903)         Cork 4-6 Tipperary 1-10

Limerick

17/12/1905        Dungarvan         MSHC Final (1904)         Cork 3-10 Tipperary 3-4

 

28/10/1905        Kilmallock         MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 2-4 Cork 2-3 (Unfinished)

19/8/1907          Tipperary           MSHC Final (1906)         Tipperary 3-4 Cork 0-9

26/4/1908          Dungarvan         MSHC Final (1907)         Cork 1-6 Tipperary 1-4

25/10/1908        Fermoy             MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 2-11 Cork 3-7

29/8/1909          Tipperary           MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-10 Cork 2-6.

 

3/7/1910            Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 5-7 Tipperary 3-4

23/7/1911          Dungarvan         MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 5-2 Cork 0-3

27/10/1912        Dungarvan         MSHC Final                   Cork 5-1 Tipperary 3-1

21/9/1913          Dungarvan         MSHC Final                   Tipperary 8-2 Cork 4-3

20/6/1915          Dungarvan         MSHC Round 1              Cork 4-0 Tipperary 3-1.

 

1/10/1916          Dungarvan         MSHC Final                  Tipperary 5-0 Cork 1-2

2/6/1918           Thurles              MSHC Round 1              Tipperary 7-3 Cork 6-1

Sportsfield

29/6/1919          Cork Ath. Grds  MSHC Semi Final          Cork 2-4 Tipperary 2-3

20/5/1923          Cork Ath. Grds. MSHC S/F (1922)           Tipperary 6-2 Cork 3-2

31/8/1924          Dungarvan        MSHC Semi Final           Tipperary 7-5  Cork 2-7.

 

2/8/1925            Markets Field    MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 5-3 Cork 5-1

Limerick

12/9/1926          Cork Ath Grds   MSHC Final                   Tipperary 1-2 Cork 0-0 (Abandoned)

19/9/1926          Thurles              MSHC Final                   Tipperary 3-4 Cork 4-1 (Refixture –  Sportsfield – Draw)

3/10/1926          Thurles              MSHC Final                  Cork 3-6 Tipperary 2-4 (Replay).

21/7/1929          Cork                 MSHC Semi Final          Cork 3-4 Tipperary 2-1

 

26/7/1931          Thurles              MSHC Semi Final          Cork 3-5 Tipperary 2-3

Sportsfield

10/6/1934          Waterford          MSHC Round 1              Cork 7-5 Tipperary 5-6

6/6/1937            Thurles              MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 4-3 Cork 3-5

Sportsfield

2/6/1940            Thurles              MSHC Round 1              Cork 6-3 Tipperary 2-6

26/10/1941        Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 5-4 Cork 2-5

 

12/7/1942          Cork Ath Grds   MSHC Final                   Cork 4-15 Tipperary 4-1

25/6/1944          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 1-9 Tipperary 1-3

1/7/1945            Thurles  MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 2-13 Cork 3-2

29/5/1949          Limerick            MSHC Round 1              Tipperary 3-10 Cork 3-10 (Draw)

26/6/1949          Limerick            MSHC Round 1              Tipperary 2-8 Cork 1-9 (Replay aet)

 

23/7/1950          Killarney            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-17 Cork 3-11

29/7/1951          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-11 Cork 2-9

13/7/1952          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Cork 1-11 Tipperary 2-6

26/7/1953          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Cork 3-10 Tipperary 1-11

18/7/1954          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Cork 2-8 Tipperary 1-8

 

1/7/1956            Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 1-11 Tipperary 2-7

30/6/1957          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 5-2 Tipperary 1-11

22/6/1958          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 2-6 Cork 2-4

31/7/1960          Thurles              MSHC Final                   Tipperary 4-13 Cork 4-11

Sportsfield

30/7/1961          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 3-6 Cork 0-7

 

30/6/1963          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 4-7 Cork 1-11

26/7/1964          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 3-13 Cork 1-5

25/7/1965          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 4-11 Cork 0-5

21/7/1968          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-13 Cork 1-7

27/7/1969          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Cork 4-6 Tipperary 0-9

 

19/7/1970          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Cork 3-10 Tipperary 3-8

25/6/1972          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 3-8 Tipperary 3-8 (Draw)

9/7/1972            Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 3-10 Tipperary 2-7 (Replay)

1/7/1973            Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 5-4 Cork 1-10

13/6/1976          Limerick            MSHC Semi Final          Cork 4-10 Tipperary 2-15

 

3/6/1979            Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Semi Final          Cork 1-14 Tipperary 2-10

22/6/1980          Semple Stad     MSHC Semi Final          Cork 2-17 Tipperary 1-12

30/5/1982          Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Round 1              Cork 1-19 Tipperary 2-8

15/7/1984          Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Cork 4-15 Tipperary 3-14

7/7/1985            Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Final                   Cork 4-17 Tipperary 4-11

 

12/7/1987          Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Tipperary 1-18 Cork 1-18 (Draw)

19/7/1987          Killarney            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 4-22 Cork 1-22 (Replay AET)

17/7/1988          Limerick            MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-19 Cork 1-13

15/7/1990          Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Cork 4-16 Tipperary 2-14

7/7/1991            Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Final                   Tipperary 2-16 Cork 4-10 (Draw)

 

21/7/1991          Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Tipperary 4-19 Cork 4-15 (Replay)

7/6/1992            Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Semi Final          Cork 2-12 Tipperary 1-12

2/7/2000            Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Cork 0-23 Tipperary 3-12

17/7/2004          Killarney            All Irl SHC Qualifier        Cork 2-19 Tipperary 1-16

26/6/2005          Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Final                   Cork 1-21 Tipperary 1-16

 

25/6/2006          Semple Stad     MSHC Final                   Cork 2-14 Tipperary 1-14

14/7/2007          Semple Stad     All Irl SHC Qualifier        Tipperary 2-16 Cork 1-18

8/6/2008            Prc Ui Chaoimh MSHC Semi Final          Tipperary 1-19 Cork 1-13

31/5/2009          Semple Stad     MSHC Round 1              Tipperary 1-19 Cork 0-19

30/5/2010          Prc UI Chaoimh MSHC Round 1              Cork 3-15 Tipperary 0-14.

 

29/5/2011          Semple Stad     MSHC Round 1              Tipperary 3-22 Cork 0-23.

PRO, Tipperary County Board

Email: pro.tipperary@gaa.ie