All-Ireland SH qualifier/ Cork 2-19; Tipperary 1-16: And so history was made. Tipperary had never previously lost a championship fixture at Fitzgerald Stadium and had twice defeated Cork at the venue, in 1950 and 1987.

Unlike those matches, which have attained the status of legend, Saturday's instalment won't excite fond memories in the years ahead.

With both sides playing for their future before an estimated 40,000 spectators, the hurling was nervous and fitful, not helped by a scarred panel of grass running along the hospital side of the pitch - the legacy of a stage erected for last month's Summerfest - but not greatly affected by it either.

Nonetheless, it was a poor advertisement for a pitch surface that has been traditionally well regarded for hurling purposes.

Put briefly, Tipperary started very well and stormed to an early lead but lost their way without establishing a lead sufficient to cushion themselves against Cork's second-half response. That was spearheaded by two goals, the second, in the 64th minute, effectively settling the issue.

For Cork manager Donal O'Grady it was a satisfactory afternoon's work, restoring his side's sense of purpose and sending them relatively buoyant into the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

"We kept our composure very well," he said afterwards, "and transferred the ball well when the chances were there and took two good goals. You'd have to be happy with that performance.

"Everyone saw the heart and commitment but I think that can never be questioned. Even the last day in the Munster final when we were beaten by a point the team never gave up.

"Things will go with you some days and won't go with you other days. They went with us today.

"In my position, as you well know, lads, you're a hero when things go right but when things go wrong you could end up in the lyrics of the song about the Ryder Cup captain (a reference to a piece of Cork high art, a song called The Langer). It's nice to win it."

An audit of the team's individual performances would be reasonably encouraging. Once again the half-back line gave a fine account of themselves, with Ronan Curran dominant at centre back and John Gardiner getting onto a lot of ball.

But it was probably the half forwards who gave most cause for satisfaction. After the catastrophic display in the Munster final there was considerable improvement. Niall McCarthy at centre forward had an immense match. His work rate was constantly impressive but also productive.

This was particularly evident in the first half when Cork were under pressure. His willingness to clatter around and get involved earned three precious frees that gave the team a lifeline when trailing by five points to Tipperary's flying start. On top of that he scored 1-2 from play and initiated the first goal.

There was also redemption of sorts for Timmy McCarthy, introduced as a replacement after half an hour. Having struggled to impact on recent matches he showed a major improvement and shot 1-1.

"He's come in for bad press for some reason I can't understand at times," said his manager later - a curious admission by the man who dropped him for Saturday's match - "but Timmy McCarthy showed what he can do today with an excellent goal and excellent point. He worked the same as he works for us every week and it's nice to see what he can do."

Tipperary's best work was done by the 15th minute. A selection of points from Eoin Kelly (whose duel with Wayne Sherlock was one the match's strongest narratives), Benny Dunne and John Carroll - whose promising start faded alarmingly - put them 0-7 to 0-2 ahead but it was 16 minutes before they scored again.

By that stage the match was in the melting pot.

Tipperary recovered, however, to put some extra distance on the scoreboard before the break.

This was an unpleasant period, a spiteful undercurrent threatening to overwhelm the refereeing of Barry Kelly. As has become the norm, there were astonishing fouls that went unpunished and players seemed to feel free to pursue vendettas as they wished.

Benny Dunne in particular was lucky to stay on the field after a wild pull right in front of the dugouts, which caused a fracas at the end of which only Colin Morrissey was disciplined with a yellow card.

Tipp took a four-point lead into the break, courtesy of a penalty awarded when Donal Cusack fouled Carroll.

Eoin Kelly's shot was blocked by the goalkeeper but Paul Kelly followed up to score the goal.

"The hold-ups didn't help us in the first half," said Tipperary manager Ken Hogan. "We were playing with a strong breeze and the incident for the penalty and the incident out on the sideline took the momentum out of our game a little bit. Having said that, we've no excuses. The two goals were breakaway goals, well-taken goals, but we got caught out of position.

"Then we missed chances, one or two simple frees that would all add up on the scoreboard. I suppose in fairness to Cork they ended the best team."

Cork weren't long hitting the front in the second half. Six minutes in, Timmy McCarthy got onto the end of a move started by Niall McCarthy and continued by Brian Corcoran, whose deep-lying game in the second half greatly limited Philip Maher's influence.

McCarthy's solo run took him clear and he finished powerfully for the goal that put his team ahead.

But Tipp weren't that easy to shake; the match continued at close quarters and six times there was only a point between the teams. But all along there was a sense that Cork were about to tip the pedal and move clear.

That duly happened when Niall McCarthy was put in the clear by Kieran Murphy in the 64th minute.

At first he appeared to have lost the chance when he fumbled the ball trying to take it into his hand. Instead he whipped on it and the ball flew into the net.

There followed the grace notes that extended the lead to six points, a little unrepresentative of the match in general but a reasonable reflection of Cork's superiority.

CORK: 1. D Cusack; 2. W Sherlock, 3. D O'Sullivan, 4. B Murphy; 5. J Gardiner (0-1), 6. R Curran, 7. S Ó hAilpín; 8. T Kenny, 9. J O'Connor (0-1); 10. B O'Connor (0-4, two frees), 11. N McCarthy (1-2), 12. G McCarthy; 13. K Murphy (0-2), 14. B Corcoran, 15. J Deane (0-7, six frees). Subs: 21. T McCarthy (1-1) for G McCarthy (31 mins), 20. M O'Connell (0-1) for Kenny (64 mins).

TIPPERARY: 1. B Cummins; 2. M Maher, 3. P Maher, 4. P Curran; 5. E Corcoran, 6. D Fanning, 7. D Fitzgerald; 8. C Morrissey (0-1); 10. T Dunne; 9. P Kelly (1-0), 11. C Gleeson (0-1), 12. B Dunne (0-3); 15. E Kelly (0-9, five frees), 14. J Carroll (0-1), 13. S Butler. Subs: 17. L Corbett for Butler (50 mins), 25. M O'Leary (0-1) for P Kelly (58 mins). 24. N Morris for Carroll (70 mins).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)