Tipp Masters hurlers shoot the lights out in victory over old rivals Cork

All Ireland Gaelic Masters Association Hurling Championship - Round 3

Tipperary 2-30 

Cork 1-9

By Michael McCarthy

Tipperary maintained their unbeaten run in this year's running of the All Ireland Masters Hurling, with a comprehensive round 3 victory over hosts Cork in Ballygiblin powered by the Toomevara quartet of Dunne, McGrath and the O'Brien brothers sees Tipp on the verge of reaching the final. 

Cork, for all their endeavor, lacked the class and poise of Tipp, as the lads showed the old adage of 'Class is permanent' rang true on a brilliant sod in North Cork. 

Tipp started brightly and never relinquished the lead putting four points on board through brothers Paddy and John O'Brien, Larry Corbett, and birthday boy Shane McGrath before Cork raised a flag through Seanán Collins. 

Kiladangan’s Tommy Connors replied immediately with John and Paddy O'Brien again getting in on the act. Cork Captain Donagh Duane scored from a placed ball before two Lar Corbett points in a 15 second spell in the 15th minute saw Tipp lead 0-10 to 0-2. 

It could've been worse for Cork only for a brilliant Kieran Walsh save after Paddy Julian had been put through. Tipp rang the changes with all squad players getting a run and the remaining 15 minutes of the half were even enough. 

Tipp won the period 1-4 to 0-4 to take a half-time lead 1-14 to 0-6. John Devane kept up his goal-scoring form in the 21st minute with a well-taken goal. 

The second half was similar in nature to the first as Tipp controlled the game. The lively Kieran Curtin gave Cork a lifeline with a major two minutes into the half but that would be their only score in the 15 minute period as Tipp rattled off eight unanswered points. 

Kenny Dunne picked off two points, the lively Nigel Kenny adding to his impressive scoring tally in the competition but the pick of the bunch was a 'worldie' from Nenagh's Hugh Moloney that had everyone in the ground gasping. 

The manager 'Redser' brought himself on for the final 15 minutes and within three minutes had pilfered 0-2 for himself. 

Tommy Connors and Eoin Kelly had points from play before a well-worked move eventually saw Ger O'Grady find Eoin Kelly who made no mistake from close range. A brace of Brian Tobin points for Cork followed before Nigel Kenny rounded out the scoring. 

Tipp were always on top but Cork had moments with goalkeeper Kieran Walsh carrying no fault, Seanán Collins, Kieran Curtin, and midfielder Brian Tobin never stopped trying. Full-back Bernard Kiernan came off in the second with what looked like a bad hamstring injury and we wish him the best in his recovery. 

For Tipp the half-back line of Benny Dunne, Paul Curran and Paul McGrath were imperious, Corbett and McGrath showed all the touches and experience in the middle of the field while all the forwards had moments of brilliance with the O'Briens and Nigel Kenny being the pick of the bunch. 

Next up for Tipp is the Limerick Masters which is scheduled for Saturday 28th in Borris-Ileigh. Fixture details are to be confirmed midweek. Keep an eye on @TippGAAMasters on X (Twitter) for confirmation. 

Tipperary: Eoin Brislane (Toomeveara); Matthew Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh), Sean Quirke (Silvermines), Martin Treacy (Borris-Ileigh); Benny Dunne (Toomevara, 0-1), Paul Curran (Mullinahone), Paul McGrath (Toomevara, 0-1); Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-3), Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, 0-1); Paddy O'Brien (Toomevara, 0-2), Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone, 1-4, 0-2f), John O'Brien (Toomevara, 0-4), John Devane (Clonoulty Rossmore, 1-0), Paddy Julian (Cappawhite), Tommy Connors (Kiladangan, 0-2). 

Subs used: Declan Fanning (Killenaule), Joe Ceaser (Killenaule, 0-1), Hugh Moloney (Nenagh Eire Óg, 0-2), Ken Dunne (Toomevara, 0-2, 0-1f), Nigel Kenny (Gortnahoe Glengoole, 0-5), Ger 'Redser' O'Grady (Thurles Sarsfields, 0-2). 

Cork: Kieran Walsh; Flor Crowley, Bernard Kiernan, Owen Sweeney; Alan Barry, Stephen Dennehy, Diarmuid Lynch; Brian Tobin (0-2), Sean Buckley; Seanán Collins (0-2), Donagh Duane (0-3f), Kieran Curtin (1-2); Denis Moran, Danny Kiely, JJ Kearney. 

Subs used: Conor Buckley, Eoghan Greene, Dominic Hegarty, Niall Brosnan, Pat O'Connor, Anthony Mc Sweeney, Jerome Curtin, Damien Cremins, Sean Murphy, Pearse Murphy, Stephen Slyne, Mike Hoye. 

Referee: Eamonn Phelan (Limerick)