Tipp U14 hurlers claim silverware yet again, this time in new look Tony Forristal

Tipperary picked up silverware in the first year of the new-look Tony Forristal Cup, with the Premier becoming the first county to win the title three times in succession thanks to their 4-7 to 2-11 victory over Cork in the southern final, played at the Mount Sion club last Saturday afternoon.

There was a change in the competition structure this year, as the Division One flagship event for U-14 sides all across Ireland was split into North and South.

Teams from Galway, Dublin, Limerick and Clare travelled to the Faithful Fields in Offaly for the Northern event, while the Southern finals were contested by teams from Cork (3), Tipperary (3) and Kilkenny.

Out of the three teams remaining on one side of the draw, Cork 1, drawn from clubs west of the city, prevailed by way of scoring difference at the end of a round robin series, with Tipperary Team 1 awaiting them in the final following their wins over Kilkenny and Tipperary 3.

With a strong wind favouring the Premier County in the first half, goals from Player of the Tournament Michael Dooley and his fellow corner forward Ben Roche made it 2-7 to 0-5 at half-time. Cork were much improved after the break with James O’Sullivan (Inniscarra) and Howard O’Donovan (Kilmeen) leading the way.

However, some excellent saves by MJ Anglim in the Tipperary goal proved crucial, especially one which prevented Cork from drawing level.

That was immediately followed by two stunning strikes for goals in quick succession from Dooley and Oisín Kennedy, giving Tipperary enough leeway to hold firm for a 4-7 to 2-11 win in the face of late Cork pressure.

Despite not scoring in the final, Zack O’Keeffe (Holycross Ballycahill) was singled out for praise afterwards after assisting three of the four Tipperary goals from full-forward. See the three full Tipperary panels below.