Hat-trick hero Chris Dunne fires Tipperary minors into 36th All-Ireland final after thrilling Cork comeback.
Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Tipperary 5-18 Cork 2-19
Half-time: Tipperary 2-08 Cork 1-09
Venue: TUS Gaelic Grounds
Attendance: 2,505
Referee: Niall Malone, Clare
Tipperary are back in an All-Ireland minor hurling final.
James Woodlock’s side are through to the decider after a breathless, dramatic and ultimately emphatic 5-18 to 2-19 win over Cork at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, a victory that sends the Premier County into their 36th All-Ireland minor hurling final and gives Woodlock a third final appearance in five years.
For long spells, this was anything but comfortable. Cork led by four points in both halves. They had the breeze in the first period, they had Bobby Power in devastating form, and they had wrestled control of the game by the three-quarter mark. But Tipperary had the one thing that ultimately broke the Rebels, goals, and a lot of them.
Chris Dunne was the headline act. The Gortnahoe-Glengoole forward finished with a magnificent 3-05, made up of 3-01 from play, 0-02 from frees and 0-02 from sideline cuts. It was the kind of individual haul that wins All-Ireland semi-finals, but this was not just a one-man performance. Éanna Tucker hit 1-04, Josh Moroney came off the bench to score 1-01, Conall Morrisson contributed 0-04 and had a huge influence in open play, while Shane Ryan, Conor Kennedy, Zach O’Keeffe and KJ Dunne all got on the scoresheet.
The final scoreline will tell one story, Tipperary by eight. The game itself told another. Cork led 2-14 to 2-10 after 46 minutes. From there to the finish, Tipperary outscored them by 3-08 to 0-05. When Cork dragged it back to a two-point game late on, Tipp found another gear again, firing the last 0-06 of the match, five of those points coming in stoppage time.
It was a finish of real authority from a team that had not played since their Munster final win over Limerick four weeks earlier. There might have been rust at times. There was certainly pressure. But when the match was there to be won, Tipp had the sharper finish, the stronger bench impact and the greater goal threat.
Tipp start brightly before Cork take control
Tipperary began into a strong wind but made the brighter start. Conall Morrisson, who would become one of the game’s most important figures, opened the scoring account in style. A beautiful flick-up and point helped push Tipp two clear early on, and the Premier appeared to have settled well despite the conditions.
Cork, however, soon found their rhythm. Bobby Power, who would finish with a superb 2-08, began to take charge of the scoreboard. Two frees from the Ballincollig forward brought Cork into it before the Rebels struck the game’s first major blow.
Callum Coffey’s shot came back off the post and Power reacted quickest, gathering the break and blasting to the net. Suddenly Cork had momentum, and they were able to build on it.
The Rebels hit 1-03 without reply during that first-half spell, and Tipp had to dig in. Morrisson was already showing his quality in the air, claiming possession and turning sharply for goal, only to see his stinging effort saved by Marley Walsh in the Cork goal.
At the other end, Tipp needed defensive interventions too. Daniel Groome produced a good block, and soon after, Chris Dunne showed the first glimpse of what was to come with a fine sideline cut over the bar.
Cork still looked dangerous. Liam O’Regan launched a huge point to push them four clear, and Callum Coffey had a half-chance blocked by Tipperary captain Conor Collins when Cork threatened to open up a bigger gap. Collins would be needed again later, and his work under pressure was a major part of Tipp staying close enough to strike.
Morrisson’s work rate then began to turn the tide. His pressure on Cork clearances created points for Conor Kennedy and Shane Ryan, two scores that helped Tipp hang onto Cork at a stage when the Rebels were threatening to take a firm grip.
Coffey responded with a superb catch and point for Cork, and he almost got in for another goal only for Collins to recover and hook his effort. Cormac Murphy made sure Cork still got something from the move, pointing to leave them 1-06 to 0-05 ahead.
At that stage, Cork were four clear and looked well placed. But in a matter of minutes, the entire shape of the game changed.
Tipp’s first-half blitz flips the contest
The first major Tipperary surge arrived before half-time, and it was devastating.
KJ Dunne raced onto a long puck-out and drove at goal. His effort was saved by Cork goalkeeper Marley Walsh, but Éanna Tucker was exactly where a forward should be, following in to tap the rebound to the net.
It was the spark Tipperary needed.
After KJ Dunne had received treatment, Tucker immediately made another huge contribution. He picked off the Cork puck-out and fed Chris Dunne. Dunne’s bouncing effort was initially saved by Walsh, but the Cork goalkeeper could not get the ball fully clear. Dunne followed in, robbed Walsh’s attempted pass and rolled the sliotar home.
Two goals in quick succession had turned Cork’s four-point lead into a Tipperary surge. Then Morrisson added two points in a matter of seconds, one of them again featuring a high catch, and suddenly Tipp were 2-07 to 1-06 in front.
It was a stunning swing. Cork had been four ahead, but Tipp had hit them for 2-02 in a three-minute spell.
To Cork’s credit, they settled again before the break. Ryan Cagney, Bobby Power and Seán Riordan all pointed from play as the Rebels landed three of the closing four points of the half. Tipp still went in ahead, but the margin was only two.
Half-time: Tipperary 2-08 Cork 1-09.
Given the breeze Cork had enjoyed, Tipperary would have been reasonably happy to lead at the break. But Cork were still very much alive, and the second half would soon become even more complicated for Woodlock’s side.
Cork storm back after the restart
Cork began the second half well and quickly cut the gap. A Bobby Power free halved the deficit, but with the wind now behind them, Tipp replied through another piece of Chris Dunne brilliance.
His second sideline cut of the match, struck from close to the 21, was a superb score. Zach O’Keeffe then robbed the Cork puck-out and pointed, moving Tipp into a 2-10 to 1-10 lead.
That should have been a platform. Instead, Cork found one of their best spells of the game.
Chris Dunne had a close-range free saved on the line by Cork full-back Finn Cahill, and Cork countered for a Sam McCarthy point. That moment proved important, because rather than Tipp stretching their advantage, Cork used it as a launchpad.
The Rebels hit 1-04 without reply. Seán Riordan’s run helped open the door for the Cork goal. Ryan Cagney appeared to be bottled up, but managed to release the sliotar, and Power did the rest, firing a rocket into the far top corner.
Further Cork points followed from Power, after he had drawn the foul himself, and McCarthy. By the three-quarter mark, Cork led 2-14 to 2-10.
It was the second time in the game Tipp had trailed by four. The first time, they responded with two first-half goals. The second time, they somehow found an even bigger finish.
Moroney makes instant impact
Josh Moroney was introduced for Zach O’Keeffe, with reports varying slightly between the 42nd and 43rd minute, and his impact was enormous.
His first goal chance was snuffed out, but he did not have to wait long for another. Morrisson and KJ Dunne were the architects, combining well to create the opening, and Moroney finished low to the corner of the net.
That goal brought Tipp back within one and completely changed the energy of the final quarter.
Cork did answer. Sam McCarthy, who finished with 0-03, pointed again to double their lead, but Tipp’s appetite for goals was now obvious. They were direct, dangerous and ruthless whenever Cork coughed up possession or left space in behind.
In the 52nd minute, Conor Kennedy found Chris Dunne on the right flank. Dunne still had plenty to do. From the tightest of angles, he somehow created the space and drilled a brilliant finish to the net.
Tipperary were back in front, 4-10 to 2-15.
It was an outrageous goal, the kind that turns a match and lifts a crowd. But Cork were not done. Another Power free levelled the contest, and after Dunne missed a free at the other end, Cork had a chance to steady themselves.
Instead, Tipp pounced again.
They turned over a Cork puck-out and Dunne punished the mistake in devastating fashion, robbing possession and rifling his hat-trick goal to the far corner.
Tipperary 5-10 Cork 2-16.
Power had been brilliant for Cork, but now Dunne had delivered the match-defining moment. His third goal put Tipp three ahead and changed the entire complexion of the closing stages.
Cork keep coming, but Tipp finish like finalists
Cork refused to go away. Stephen McHugh pointed to bring them within two, and Power added further frees as the Rebels kept applying pressure.
Moroney, eyeing another goal, lashed over a point for Tipperary. Tucker also pointed, but Cork kept finding replies through Power’s accuracy from placed balls.
On three separate occasions in that closing stretch, Cork brought the gap back to two points. The last of those left the scoreboard reading Tipperary 5-12 Cork 2-19.
At that point, there was still real danger for Tipp. One Cork goal would have flipped the game again. But the Premier response was outstanding.
Chris Dunne pointed from play to make it 5-13 to 2-19 at 29 minutes of the second half. From there, Tipp took full control.
The final 0-06 of the game all came from Tipperary. Five of them arrived in stoppage time. Tucker was outstanding in that late burst, adding three quick points to bring his tally to 1-04. KJ Dunne also got on the scoresheet, while Morrisson rounded off a huge personal display with the final point.
It was a ruthless finish. Cork had been within two late on, but Tipp closed the game like a team that knew exactly where the winning line was.
Full-time: Tipperary 5-18 Cork 2-19.
Chris Dunne delivers a performance to remember
There is no getting away from the scale of Chris Dunne’s performance. A return of 3-05 in an All-Ireland semi-final is exceptional by any measure.
His scoring range was also hugely impressive. He hit two sideline cuts, two frees, a point from play and three goals, each of the goals coming from different types of moments.
The first was all about persistence, following in after his initial effort was saved and punishing a Cork mistake. The second was pure finishing class, a bullet from a very tight angle after being found by Conor Kennedy. The third was anticipation, work rate and ruthlessness, robbing a Cork defender before driving home the hat-trick goal.
It was not just the volume of scores, it was the timing of them. His first goal came when Tipp needed to recover from a poor first-half spell. His second put Tipp back in front in the final quarter. His third gave them control when Cork had just levelled.
That is big-game scoring.
Morrisson’s influence goes beyond 0-04
While Dunne’s hat-trick will dominate the headlines, Conall Morrisson’s contribution deserves serious attention.
He finished with 0-04, but his fingerprints were all over the game. He scored the early point that helped Tipp settle. He forced turnovers and blocked Cork clearances in the first half, directly contributing to points for Conor Kennedy and Shane Ryan. He threatened Cork under the dropping ball, tested Marley Walsh with a goal chance, and was central to the move that created Josh Moroney’s goal.
His high fielding was a repeated problem for Cork, and his work rate gave Tipp traction when they were under pressure.
In a game where momentum swung wildly, Morrisson gave Tipp a constant outlet and a constant presence.
Tucker and Moroney give Tipp real cutting edge
Éanna Tucker’s 1-04 was another huge return. His first-half goal was a classic poacher’s finish, following in after KJ Dunne’s shot was saved. His late points were just as important, because they killed the game when Cork were still hanging on.
Tucker’s final burst, three points in quick succession in stoppage time, turned a dangerous finish into a statement win.
Josh Moroney’s role off the bench was also decisive. Introduced with Tipp trailing and the game beginning to tilt Cork’s way, he hit 1-01 and brought a fresh directness to the Tipp attack. His goal, finished low to the corner, reduced Cork’s lead to a single point and helped ignite the three-goal spell that decided the semi-final.
That bench impact is exactly what wins championship matches.
Cork’s Power almost carries the Rebels through
For Cork, Bobby Power was outstanding. He finished with 2-08, including 2-01 from play and 0-07 from frees. His first goal came from sharp reactions after Callum Coffey’s effort came back off the post. His second was a brilliant rocket to the far top corner during Cork’s second-half purple patch.
Power repeatedly kept Cork alive, especially from frees late on. Sam McCarthy was also prominent with 0-03, while Seán Riordan and Ryan Cagney both hit 0-02. Liam O’Regan, Stephen McHugh, Callum Coffey and Cormac Murphy also got on the board.
Cork had enough scoring power to win many semi-finals. They scored 2-19, led by four in both halves and were still within two late on. Their problem was that they could not contain Tipp’s goal threat or survive the late Premier surge.
The key numbers
Tipperary’s final total was 5-18, with 5-11 of that coming from the four main attacking contributors of Chris Dunne, Éanna Tucker, Josh Moroney and Conall Morrisson.
Dunne scored 3-05.
Tucker scored 1-04.
Moroney scored 1-01 off the bench.
Morrisson scored 0-04.
Together, those four accounted for 5-14 of Tipp’s 5-18.
The decisive scoring spell was from the 46th minute to full-time, when Tipperary outscored Cork by 3-08 to 0-05.
The closing burst was 0-06 without reply.
The goal count was decisive too. Cork hit 2-19, a massive score in any All-Ireland semi-final, but Tipperary’s five goals proved the difference.
Scorers
Tipperary: Chris Dunne 3-05, 0-02 frees, 0-02 sidelines, Éanna Tucker 1-04, Josh Moroney 1-01, Conall Morrisson 0-04, Shane Ryan 0-01, Conor Kennedy 0-01, Zach O’Keeffe 0-01, KJ Dunne 0-01.
Cork: Bobby Power 2-08, 0-07 frees, Sam McCarthy 0-03, Seán Riordan 0-02, Ryan Cagney 0-02, Liam O’Regan 0-01, Stephen McHugh 0-01, Callum Coffey 0-01, Cormac Murphy 0-01.
Teams
Tipperary: Eoin Connolly, Carrick Swan; Colm Ryan, Newport, Daniel Groome, Borris-Ileigh, Conor Collins, Galtee Rovers; Oisín Kennedy, Newport, James Finn, Golden-Kilfeacle, Travis McLoughlin, Cahir; Shane Ryan, Borris-Ileigh, Hugo Healy, Kilruane MacDonaghs; Conor Kennedy, Clonoulty-Rossmore, Conall Morrisson, Moyle Rovers, Éanna Tucker, Nenagh Éire Óg; Zach O’Keeffe, Holycross-Ballycahill, Chris Dunne, Gortnahoe-Glengoole, KJ Dunne, Toomevara.
Tipperary subs: Josh Moroney, Ballina, for Zach O’Keeffe, 43 mins; Ciarán Gantley, Cappawhite, for Hugo Healy, 60 mins; Seán Burke, JK Brackens, for Shane Ryan, 60+1 mins; Rian McGrath, Kiladangan, for Chris Dunne, 60+4 mins.
Cork: Marley Walsh, Youghal; Jack Batterberry, Castletownroche, Finn Cahill, Midleton, Nathan Coffey, Na Piarsaigh; Eoin Considine, Sarsfields, Dave Nolan, Erin’s Own, Liam O’Regan, St Finbarr’s; Alfie Hennessy, Midleton, Stephen McHugh, Newtownshandrum; Cormac Murphy, Ballinora, Seán Riordan, Kilworth, Ryan Cagney, Mallow; Callum Coffey, Na Piarsaigh, Bobby Power, Ballincollig, Sam McCarthy, Castlelyons.
Cork subs: Tadhg McCarthy, Watergrasshill, for Cormac Murphy, 39 mins; Cathal Barry, Bride Rovers, for Sam McCarthy, 56 mins; Conor Ronayne, Dungourney, for Ryan Cagney, 60+1 mins.
Referee: Niall Malone, Clare.
Final word
This was a serious test for Tipperary, and they passed it.
They were four down in the first half and four down again in the second. Cork had momentum, had the scoreboard pressure, and had a forward in Bobby Power who looked capable of dragging them to a final. But Tipp’s response was full of character and full of quality.
Dunne gave them the headline performance. Tucker gave them the late finishing power. Moroney gave them the bench impact. Morrisson gave them the all-round influence. Around them, the likes of Collins, Groome, Kennedy, Ryan, O’Keeffe and KJ Dunne all had big moments in a game that demanded them.
For James Woodlock, it is another All-Ireland final. His third in five years. For Tipperary, it is a 36th appearance on minor hurling’s biggest day.
And after a semi-final like this, they will go there with serious belief.