Gaelic Games

Tipperary beat Cork to reclaim Munster under-21 football title

Colin O’Riordan returns to play captain’s part on dramatic night in Semple Stadium

The Tipperary players celebrate their victory over Cork at Semple Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
The Tipperary players celebrate their victory over Cork at Semple Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Thu Apr 09 2015 - 22:27

Tipperary 1-15 Cork 3-8

Tommy Toomey hailed his Tipperary players after their Munster under-21 football final victory over Cork in Semple Stadium last night.

The Premier County claimed the title for just the second time – and first since 2010 – in the third successive decider between the counties.

Ian Fahey's second-half goal, through the legs of Cork goalkeeper Michael Martin, was a crucial score as Tipperary set up an All-Ireland semi-final clash with Dublin on Saturday week.

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But man of the match Fahey wasn’t Tipperary’s only star on the night as captain Colin O’Riordan, deemed fit enough to play following his recent concussion, produced another strong display.

Tipp were five points clear approaching the finish but Cian Dorgan’s late goal and a Colin O’Driscoll free had Cork back to within a point in front of 2,137 spectators.

Tipp fans were fearing a repeat of 2009 when a late Cork comeback denied Tipperary provincial glory.

But after Dorgan pulled a late effort wide of the posts, there was no way back for Cork and the referee’s final whistle sparked joyful scenes.

“Everybody expected us to lose the game but we never panicked, kept playing, kept taking scores,” said Tipp manager Tommy Toomey.

“It’s unreal. You always think the team could do it but it’s not until you’re near the line that you think, jeez, it’s there. Great credit is due to them all. Colin O’Riordan ran himself into the ground tonight – he was awesome.”

TIPPERARY: E Comerford; K Fahey, J Feehan, C O'Shaughnessy; R Mulcahy, L Boland, B Maher; S O'Brien (0-1), C O'Riordan (0-2); J Lonergan (0-2), I Fahey (1-0), L Casey; K O'Halloran (0-6, 5f), J Keane (0-2, 1f), P Maher (0-2).

Subs: TJ Ryan for Keane (57), W Connors for Boland (59).

CORK: M Martin; J Davis, T O'Rourke, S Cronin; B O'Driscoll (0-1f), S White, C Kiely; A O'Donovan, S O'Leary; S O'Donoghue (0-1), C McIntyre, D Murphy (0-1); C Vaughan (0-4, 2f), P Kelleher (2-0), C Horgan.

Subs: K Davis for Horgan (h.t.), C Dorgan (1-1) for McIntyre (37), D Quinn for O’Donovan (48), M Desmond for O’Donoghue (54), M McSweeney for Kiely (57), C Hyde for White (59).

Referee: S Joy (Kerry)