Heavy defeat in league final was significant setback for Tipperary hurlers

All it took was a fifteen-minute barrage in the lead-in to half-time for Cork to blow Tipperary’s chances to smithereens in this let-down league decider at the Páirc on Sunday. 3-8 to 0-4 was the tally from that spell; a baker’s dozen of difference and that was it. Everything else was mere padding.

Goals have become Cork’s calling card and the sight of the green flag was our main worry heading into this decider. Their three majors on Sunday brought their league tally to an impressive 18, with just five conceded over the seven games.

They only managed one goal in Thurles on February 22 but, as we pointed out back then, it could easily have been three or four with sharper finishing. That enhanced sharpness was certainly in evidence on Sunday as they put Tipp to the sword with ruthless efficiency. Seldom has a second half been more anti-climatic, as the sides played out to an inevitable conclusion.

READ NEXT: Shopper in Tipperary supermarket makes unusual discovery in trolley

It all began positively enough, with Tipperary holding their own for the opening quarter. We even led very briefly when Jake Morris pointed after 18 minutes. That was before Pat Horgan equalised and then the floodgates opened.

There were advance warning signs that it was coming. Alan Connolly skipped away from his Tipperary namesake for Cork’s opening point and he was a major problem in the first half.

SEE MORE: Tipperary concert cancelled 'due to unforeseen circumstances'

Noticeable too was Cork’s tightness throughout the field as opposed to Tipperary’s more stand-offish approach. Our pace and intensity wasn’t at Cork’s level and this was very obvious on the respective puckouts: Patrick Collins had multiple options whereas Barry Hogan often had little choice but to go long, usually on top of Gearoid O’Connor, who was making no headway in the aerial battle.

We were hanging in there but it was obvious that a major break was imminent and it duly came with the Rebels’ opening goal. Once again, the marking was a pace or two off as Connolly won possession and wriggled his way past defenders to give Barry Hogan no chance with the finish. We had defenders in the vicinity but nobody laid a glove on the forward.

Contrast that with an earlier chance at the other end when Jason Forde bustled his way past a defender but was brought down and his shot flew into the side netting. A cynical foul, surely, denying a goal-scoring chance but nobody even raised an issue because the rule has become defunct through non-application. One of these days there’ll be outrage when a referee actually enforces the rule.

Anyway, the Connolly goal was a prelude for what followed. Six minutes later, our defence was breached again. This time we got turned over in a ruck; Brian Hayes sent Darragh Fitzgibbon away and he tapped in past the advancing Barry Hogan.

Worse followed on the cusp of half-time with the third goal. This time a poorly-executed handpass from Joe Caesar was easily turned over and Ethan Twomey was released to plant one just inside the right post. Barry Hogan’s positioning could have been better, though the shot had power and precision.

Alongside those majors, you had a run of points as Tipperary went hopelessly adrift. There were many furrowed Tipperary brows at half-time, wondering just how embarrassing this might eventually become. We hadn’t banked on being hit so early with such a deficit.

The second half was a non-event. If you’re seeking straws of comfort then we won the second period by eleven points to eight but there was always the sense that Cork were playing time and could always hit the button again if circumstances required.

Tipperary needed goals and never even threatened one. While Cork’s goal-scoring is a major plank of their game, their defence has become a really mean unit. At any hint of danger they swarm and they hit. In the 62nd minute Craig Morgan made a dash for goal and was fouled multiple times with swinging hurleys but with no sympathy from the referee.

They had defensive issues in the past but those seem to be behind them now. Robert Downey was immense on Sunday at the core of the defence but to a man they mark tightly and will concede frees or even take yellow cards rather then give up goal- opportunities. It’s a lesson Tipperary have still to learn.

It reminds me again of that old-stager advice that a ball might pass a defender or a man might pass him but the two should never pass. It’s a dictum Cork appear to have taken to heart.

Enough about Cork, who increasingly look like the team of 2025. What of Tipperary following this latest lesson in the rigours of inter-county hurling? Whither now for Liam Cahill’s side following a league campaign of minor highs and this major low?
There’s no denying it’s a significant setback and puts in perspective the road we have still to travel in order to become championship contenders.

The sight of Darragh McCarthy being bustled off the ball and eventually replaced is a reminder of the difficulties a 19-year-old faces in establishing himself at this level. He need not be despondent; time is on his side and every day at this level is a learning experience.

I have a certain sympathy for the Tipperary defence in that 1-5 of Cork’s total came from midfield and half back. Cork raid from deep and runners from outfield can be very difficult for backs to cope with.

Ronan Maher struck a lot of ball, as usual, but we can’t ignore the fact that Darragh Fitzgibbon hit 1-4 from play and was deemed man of the match. Michael Breen was again one of our best defenders and Robert Doyle showed enough to suggest that his form in earlier rounds was no fluke. Thereafter Eoghan Connolly had a tough afternoon, Bryan O’Mara mixed some very good with errors and Joe Caesar was substituted.

Craig Morgan has become one of the real battlers of the team, getting heavily involved and taking the fight to the opposition at every chance. Sam O’Farrell hit two points and again showed that he’s a player of the future. I suspect Willie Connors is more suited to playing the role of impact sub.

Four of our six starting forwards were replaced. Jason Forde was the pick of the sector, hitting four points from play and taking on the mantle of free-taker to good effect when Darragh McCarthy was withdrawn. Jake Morris’ input too was noticeable but thereafter the credits were slim. Alan Tynan’s inaccuracy damaged the overall impression while Gearoid O’Connor has still to bring colleges’ form to the inter-county scene.

Encouragingly the substitutes fared well, especially Darragh Stakelum and Sean Kenneally. That at least was a positive from the game.

There’s little time now to dwell on this league final experience, with Limerick arriving to the Stadium on Sunday week. It’s a tough opener and it doesn’t get easier thereafter, with trips to Cork and Ennis to follow before Waterford come to town for the final round. I suspect the shape of things will be well decided before that Waterford game.

At least we prepare for the championship with no illusions about our prospects. Our player limitations are there for everyone to see and we have to work within those parameters.

Finally, there’s little space to deal with underage games last week, when Tipperary enjoyed mixed luck, with the Under 20s rebounding impressively at Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the minors being narrowly eclipsed at Ennis.

That Under 20 win was a major relief after their first round defeat to Limerick. It puts their campaign back on track but still with some distance to go. They travel to Sixmilebridge for a crucial game with Clare on Wednesday of next week. The minors have Limerick in a crunch tie at the Stadium the following Friday.