Tipperary 1-19 vs Cork 0-17

Saturday April 25th Celtic Challenge Group Stages. For more photos from the match click here >> The sun blazed in Fethard, Co.Tipperary for the 12pm clash between Cork White and Tipperary Gold, the Celtic Challenge teams from the big hurling strongholds. Both counties sport two teams at this level for Minor players, distinguished by colours, Cork White (City/West/South) and Cork Red (North/East) and Tipperary Gold and Tipperary Blue. For ease, in this match report we'll call them simply, Cork and Tipp.

If someone were to use one word to describe this Cork team it would be tenacious, if you wanted two, you could add the word powerful and perhaps on paper, the only thing standing in their way of dominating this 2026 Celtic Challenge is more time in training to gel as a team and get to know each other on the field. These lads in Cork whites are a big outfit on the pitch, a mix of streetwise, skillfull and formidable players from Cork City and Cork West/South. If you wanted to know what a Cork team from those areas would look like, then here you go.

Minutes after the ref threw in on Saturday, Cork's centre forward, Fionn O'Shea from Ballinhassig was the first to open scoring with a courageous belter of a point, before Tipp's Seán Hackett replied in kind down the other end, after a lovely offload from right wing forward Darragh Beckett. And so with less than two minutes gone, both sides had set the tempo and scores would come hard and fast after that. O'Shea struck the next point, lofting it high over the bar from the wing, before the ball made it's way back down the field from the puck out. Though ferociously fought for by Cork's backs, Tipp found themselves in possession of the ball. An initial strike brought off an excellent block from Cork goalkeeper Seán O'Connell from Donoughmore, but the rebound found centre forward Shane Gleeson, who rattled the net and put Tipp ahead 1-01 to 0-02 with five minutes gone.

Corks Conor O'Neill from Blackrock taps the ball out of Tipps path. Cork to their credit battled hard for the next five minutes and could've been level just a few moments later. Midfielder Chris Woodland from Cloughduv, narrowly missed the uprights first, before O'Shea pointed over, to bring the teams within a point of each other. While Tipp hadn't stepped off the gas, any ball they launched into their forward line was being cleared by powerful Glen Rovers man Conor Cunningham. In charge, at centerback for Cork, he made for carbon copy of - and perhaps cut from the same cloth as - his club's famous Downey brothers. Whatever's in the water on the Northside, they boast some tall hurlers. Both Cork midfielders, Ben Hayes of Bishopstown and Woodland were doing well in this period also, especially around Tipp's half forward, Darragh Cornally, who was always a threat.

Tall Conor Cunningham of Glen Rovers was in control for Cork at centreback.

Indeed it was only a matter a time before Tipp would be back on the scoreboard, their communication on the field making all the difference. Cornally would be the man to do it with a neatly struck point from the half forward line. But as this game started, so it would continue, Cork put their head down and ploughed on. Evan Daly of Courcey Rovers just shaved the uprights but signalled the Cork intention to get the scoreboard painted red and white again and so not two minutes later, corner forward Danny O'Donovan from Douglas would do just that, to close out the first quarter Tipp 1-02 to Cork 0-04.

Cork's Evan Daly, of Courcey Rovers, did well under the high ball. The first free of the game saw Tipp convert through Cornally again before Cork's left corner forward, crafty Iniscarra man, Jamie Dineen, made space and backed himself for a point. This one sheared the uprights and veered wide, but one things for certain, if you take no chances, you'll definitely not score, so brave Dineen's courage to go for it is undoubtedly a needed attribute for this side who'll be playing again in two weeks time. Then O'Shea was on hand for Cork's first free a minute later and pointed over to make it, Tipp 1-03 to Cork 0-05. O'Shea himself sent the ball just wide with a well intentioned strike from the midfield line but it rattled Tipperary, Corks third attack in minutes. All was in the balance.

Cork's Fionn O'Shea, of Ballinhassig ran freely throughout Tipperarys backline. Cathal Ivors, Tipperary's number 8 was doing well around midfield with his counterpart Thomas Deegan and he made the most of his opportunity on the ball with a smart point, straight and direct, down the field from the halfway line. Shane Gleeson followed for the blue and gold and popped another point over to stretch Tipp into a two point lead again. Not to be outdone, Cork retaliated through Evan Daly, in fine form, in the half forward line, who shot his brave effort straight over the crossbar, narrowing the margin once again. Both sides were doing well in defence. Tipp's wingbacks Seán Óg Hayes and Michael Hoare found a lot of ball coming their way while strong Jack Burke, of Cork's famous Na Piarsaigh club, was instrumental at full back, flanked by Ben Mulcahy of St. Vincents and Seán Collins of Cloughduv in the corners, along with Hayes in midfield, they were all busy and doing well at this time. With ten odd minutes left to go before halftime, Tipp scored next, Cathal Ivors to the fore. The boys in blue held a handy lead 1-06 to 0-06 points, but Cork were about to respond.

Cork fullback, the powerful Na Piarsaigh native, Jack Burke, skillfully races past Tipps Cathal Ivors. Cue sharp Ronan Sheehy of Kilbrittain, who won the ball well in a tight challenge for possession on the left wing, and racing into a small pocket of space he let fly astutely, straight through the posts. O'Shea shaved the uprights moments later before Tipp's Cornally launched a long range point from left field, high over the bar. They also added a wide before some changes were made to both teams as there was a pause for an injury check and a water break. The Celtic Challenge is an excellent tournament for exposure to other county teams, styles and players, naturally each team tries to balance the playing time and so a rolling of subs is fair protocol for all teams and continued throughout this match.

Cork's Ronan Sheehy of Kilbrittain moves to release the ball into the forward line. Refreshed, Cork pushed for the last few minutes ahead of the break. O'Donovan outstandingly rifled his next effort low over the crossbar and straight onto the scoreboard to make it 1-07 to 0-08 points. The puck out was contested down field where tenacious Cork back, TJ Daly (of Courcey Rovers and twin brother of wingforward Evan) was clearing up at wingback, relentlessly clinging to his mark. O'Donovan and Courcey's third man on the pitch Lucas Harrington were also to the fore as this half closed out, making numerous runs on goal, ever threatening the Tipp full back line. It was O'Shea who would be next to point over for Cork though, from a free 50 meters out, before Harrington made a promising run toward goal, drawing three Tipp men on himself. A great block from Tipp's Seán Óg Hayes saw his teammate, corner back Harry O'Connor collect the rebound. To Harrington's credit and some quick reflex's, he sprang back after O'Connor, hounding him so that he pucked the ball away under pressure but into the path of Sheehy darting up the left wing. The Kilbrittain player known for his own goalscoring prowess, soloed the ball toward the 25 meter line before he let fly at an angle. We'd registered it as point but it was called wide and with that the whistle blew for half time, Tipp leading by a point 1-07 to 0-09.

Cork's Luke Harrington of Courcey Rovers barrels past his Tipperary mark toward the end of the first half.

HALFTIME Tipperary 1-07 Cork 0-09

Tipperary had the better start with wingforward Darragh Beckett pointing over quickly for the homeside, before Mark Ryan, fresh on the field, had a strong effort edge just wide of the uprights. O'Shea responded for the rebel side with a well taken point from play but Tipp were on the offensive. Cornally sent his next effort wide but Beckett made sure moments later to land another point on the scoreboard, to hold the lead, 1-09 to 0-10. Cork's Padraig Coveney from Whitechurch was doing well along with Kilbrittain's Brian Kelleher, both finding a lot of ball falling in their direction. Kelleher indeed breaking a hurley as he commited to a block around the half forward line minutes into the half. Cork were now just two points off their rivals but a free from O'Shea and a big belter of a ball by centerback Conor Cunningham of The Glen, saw Cork level the score for the second time in the match and all bets seemed to be off.

Kilbrittain's Brian Kelleher was in control for Cork down the wing in the second half. Tipperary however capitalised on a purple-patch, with Darragh Kelly making the most of an awarded free and a point from play from both Connolly and Beckett on the half forward line. While they were finding themselves in possession, it's not for the want of a battle over it. Cork's six-footer full back, Burke of Na Piarsaigh, was strong in this period, pulling off some wonderful blocks, saving Cork from a heavier score deficit. But the Tipp tide was about to turn and Cork's O'Shea, of Ballinhassig, was the man to put a bullet of a point over the bar and stall Tipp's scoring reign. Then fresh on the field St. Finbarr's man, Evan Naughton joined in, aligning with a lovely pass from TJ Daly to send a beauty of a point over the bar and registering him as a bit of a stylish player.

Cork's Ben Hayes from Bishopstown keeps his eye on the ball as Tipperary midfielder Thomas Deagan moves in to dispossess. A well taken free from Kelly and a point from play from Cornally, followed for Tipp, before Cork sent a volley of balls raining down on the homeside. O'Shea replied first with two good points from the wing at the Ballinhassig lad's ease. Then teammate, Hayes of Bishopstown, launched a long range ball high and direct but it dropped into the goalkeepers hands. Tipp needed to dam the Cork waves of attack and responded with a point of their own but good pressure from Cork's forward lines, as a whole, saw Tipp on the back foot. They were awarded a free next, which Kelly duly pointed over making it 1-16 to 0-16 with less than five minutes left on the clock.

A good break from Tipp's David Alarian, fresh on the field, saw him race into the square from the left corner but the ball broke ahead of him and resourceful goalkeeper of the second half, Calum McCarthy-O'Donovan from Nemo Rangers, put his body on the line using his feet, sliding into the ball to push it beyond Alarian's reach, protecting his team. Goal crisis averted.

Cork goalkeeper Callum McCarthy-O'Donovan slides into relieve Tipperary's David Alarian of the ball. Cork were pressing, Hayes did well to win possession but pointed just shy of the uprights before being gifted a second chance and dutifully belting the next ball over the bar for the rebel side. Tipp scored in reply, we're not sure by who, but their forward's Cornally and Kelly were also still pushing into the final minutes, and they added another two from play to Tipp's tally. With minutes to go and down by 5 points, Cork were gifted a penalty, a great effort by O'Shea drew a big save off Tipp's goalkeeper, before the referee blew his whistle and it ended in Fethard, Tipperary 1-19 to Cork 0-17.

Cork were edged out of it by two points when they played Dublin on April 18th, 2-14 to 3-09, despite the result in Fethard, they are still in the competition and are due to play in the quarter-final of this national competition, in two weeks time on the weekend of the 9th/10th of May, fixture to be confirmed. Any support for these lads is more than welcome, just be loud and shout them on.

Cork's Dessie O'Carroll(Carrigaline), Jack Burke(Na Piarsaigh) and Callum McCarthy-O'Donovan (Nemo Rangers) in good spirits after the match. This Cork team certainly has breadth and depth of skill and strength. Courageous attacking play was evident and the team have a good attitude about them individually, with no one appearing to have the problem of an ego, which is refreshing at this high level of play. Naturally for a half-a-county wide team, it's is going to be hard to get to organise trainings together, especially with club matches flying this time of year, but not having training time together may be the only thing standing in their way of lifting a cup for Cork. No one player or handful of players will win this tournament on their own, it's going to take a team, so if they can get in some good gelling time over the next two weeks, if not officially, then maybe just pucking around together, then on May 9th/10th, they have every chance in the quarter-final of the Celtic Challenge and a place in the semi-final beckons. If this team can get to know each others strengths and weaknesses, to be able to trust each other, then how they play and communicate on the pitch will reflect it and we are certain, nothing will stop them in achieving whats possible for them. And at this moment in time, whats possible? well, everything is possible.

The Cork White Celtic Challenge team.

Scorers: F. O'Shea (0-06)(0-04F), D.O'Donovan (0-02), E.Daly (0-01), R.Sheehy(0-01), C.Cunningham (0-01), E. Naughton (0-01), B.Hayes (0-01) Cork: Seán O'Connell (Donoughmore), Ben Mulcahy (St. Vincents), Jack Burke (Na Piarsaigh), Seán Collins (Cloughduv), TJ Daly (Courcey Rovers), Conor Cunningham (Glen Rovers), Dessie Carroll (Carrigaline), Ben Hayes (Bishopstown), Chris Woodland (Cloughduv), Evan Daly (Courcey Rovers), Fionn O'Shea (Ballinhassig), Ronan Sheehy (Kilbrittain), Danny O'Donovan (Douglas), Lucas Harrington (Courcey Rovers), Jamie Dineen (Iniscarra), Callum McCarthy-O'Donovan (Nemo Rangers), Darragh Casey (Na Piarsaigh), Tom Sullivan (St. Colmcilles), Conor O'Neill (Blackrock), Evan Naughton (St. Finbarrs), Michael Forde (Glen Rovers), Brian Kellerher (Kilbrittain), Padriag Coveney (Whitechurch) Scorers: D.Connolly(0-05)(0-01F), S.Gleeson (1-01),S. Hackett (0-01), C.Ivors(0-02), D.Beckett (0-03), D.Kelly (0-04F), Unassigned (0-02) Tipperary: Cian, Adam Whyte, Fionn Ivors, Harry O'Connor, Seán Óg Hayes, T Bourke, MarkHoare, Cathal Ivors, Thomas Deegan, Darragh Beckett, Shane Gleeson, Darragh Connolly, Darragh Kelly, Seán Hackett, Michael Healy, Ronan Gleeson, Jack Doris, Paul Rivero, Niall Gleeson, Pat Ryan, Éoin Anderson, Mark Ryan, Conor Kelly, Freddie Baker, Seán Butler. Liam O'Brien (inj)