Allianz NHL: Tipperary hold out to qualify for league quarter finals

Tipperary 1-24

Cork 1-21

Tipperary held out for victory over Cork in the final round of the Allianz NHL at Semple Stadium this afternoon.

The three point win came despite Cork having scored the last four points of the game. But, they weren't enough for The Rebels who had fallen behind by seven points when Tipp centre forward Billy McCarthy fired in a superb goal in 20th minute of the second half.

This eagerly awaited clash had been postponed last weekend due to the inclement weather, but there was no evidence of any damage to the immaculate Semple Stadium when the teams took to the pitch, after Tipp had wrestled with and defeated Louth in the football league  in the opening game on the clár.

Tipperary had a strong team on show for the hurling with big hitters Padraic Maher and John McGrath back in the fold while Jason Forde and Cathal Barrett were also back on duty.

Tipp held a 0-15 to 1-9 interval lead by the half way mark. Having played with the aid of the breeze the three point advantage didn't exactly flatter, but the fact that the players were moving well was certainly encouraging. Eleven wides also told a story of the half for Tipp for  whom Jason Forde struck 0-6,and Sean Curran, Michael Breen and Patrick Maher 0-2 each.

The Cork goal came from a Patrick Horgan penalty in the 8th minute and he added 0-5 to his tally in the half.

Tipp had picked up where they left off after the break and they had a Billy McCarthy goal in the 20th  minute to give them a seven point lead. But, Cork fought hard and they found the scores to bring the game back to a single score as the final whistle beckoned. Tipp saw the game out though and qualify for the league quarter final where they will likely meet Dublin.