Intermediate Hurling Munster FinalCork 0-18 Tipperary 1-9 Cork retained their Munster Championship title with a comfortable win over a disappointing Tipperary in a lacklustre final at Páirc Uí Rinn last evening.

It was their ninth success, two more than their opponents, and Cork are on course to retain their All-Ireland title.

Tipperary, who didn't line out with former All Star John Leahy, played with the strong wind in the first half, but 11 wides ruined any hopes of establishing a lead for the second period.

Cork led at the break by 0-7 to 0-6, and added 10 points in the third quarter; Tipperary could manage only two.

Leahy was introduced just before half-time and he scored a point almost immediately.

He also claimed the only goal from a free five minutes from the end of the game to cut the deficit to five points - 0-17 to 1-9.

But a Rory O'Doherty point from the puck-out ensured all the Cork forwards scored.

CORK: A Nash; J Crowley, L Hayes, R McCarthy; B Walsh (capt), T Lordan, D Fitzgerald; T Healy, J Olden; E Conway (0-2), D Dineen (0-9 8f), P McGrath (0-2); C O'Reilly (0-3), R O'Doherty (0-1), S Hayes (0-1). Sub: B O'Dwyer for McGrath (inj, 58 mins).

TIPPERARY: D Hogan; B Lawlor, D O'Brien, M Phelan; S Sweeney, S Maher, E Hanley; B Hogan (0-2f), C O'Brien; P Buckley, T Slevin (0-2), S McGrath; S Everard, B Gaynor (capt) (0-2f), D Maher (0-1). Subs: J Leahy (1-1, 1f) for Gaynor 27 mins, R O'Brien (0-1) for Everard (29 mins), S Stapleton for Sweeney (42 mins), G Slattery for Buckley (56 mins).

Referee: P Moore (Waterford).