Munster MHC semi-final: Premier comeback floors Rebels

June 30, 2016

A general view of Pairc Ui Rinn, Cork.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.

Tipperary reeled off the last five points of a scintillating duel to complete a remarkable comeback and defeat Cork by 0-23 to 1-15 at Pairc Ui Rinn.

Paddy Cadell, Brian McGrath, Ger Browne, supersub Dylan Walsh (who bagged four second-half points) and top scorer Lyndon Fairbrother (scorer of 0-10) slotted the decisive points that finally put the Rebel County to the sword at the end of a fantastic tussle.

The determined winners trailed by six points three minutes into the second half but outscored the hosts by 14 points to three in the remaining 27 to deservedly seal a provincial final berth.

The Premier County, who lost to Waterford in the first round, will now face Limerick in the final at the Gaelic Grounds on July 10th after the Treaty lads defeated Waterford by 0-19 to 0-17 at Walsh Park 24 hours ago. Of course, the Tipp seniors will also be on duty that day...

Josh Beausang's goal two minutes from the break ensured the losers of a 1-9 to 0-9 interval lead.

The excellently-named Beausang pointed either side of the equally well-monikered Fairbrother as the Rebels led by two points to one after three minutes. Beausang's second converted free doubled the gap and centre forward Mark Kehoe replied for the Premier in the eleventh minute.

Denis Ring's charges led by 0-5 to 0-2 at the midway stage in the first half, with Jack O'Connor firing their fourth and Beausang their fifth (free) but Tipp tied the scores up again with three scores in as many minutes from Cian Darcy, Rian Doody and Fairbrother (free).

The visitors reclaimed the lead when McGrath drilled over a 65-metre free - their fourth successive score - but O'Connor hit back instantly. Another Fairbrother - Beausang exchange left the teams level for the fourth time with five minutes left in the first half.

Fairbrother's free in the 27th minute edged Tipp back in front but Beausang replied with the game's only goal a minute later as Cork struck 1-2 - including a lovely Danny Gunning strike and a Liam Healy point - to temporarily take the wind out of the Premier sails. Fairbrother pulled back a free in injury time to ensure that just that Beausang three-pointer separated the sides at the short whistle.

The Rebels had doubled their lead within two minutes of the restart thanks to quickfire points from O'Connor and half-time substitute Evan Sheehan (2). But back came Tipp with five scores from their own half-time replacement Walsh (3), Fairbrother (free) and Cian Flanagan - 1-12 to 0-14!

Not for the first time, Beausang and Fairbrother traded frees and Darcy's point followed quickly by a Fairbrother brace had the Tipp lads back in front by two with eleven minutes left, 0-18 to 1-13, having outscored the hosts by nine points to one in a devastating spell between the 33rd and 49th minutes.

Beausang (free) and centre forward Matthew Bradley found the target to level the scores again but midfielder Cadell and centre back McGrath (free) responded to ensure Liam Cahill's charges of a two-point cushion with five minutes to play.

With the scent of victory in their nostrils, the winners kicked on with further points from midfielder Browne, Walsh and Fairbrother (free) to march into the Munster final next month.

Tipperary - C Barrett; K O'Dwyer, M Whelan, G Dunne; J Cahill, B McGrath (0-2, 1f, 1'65), J Morris; P Cadell (0-1), G Browne (0-1); R Doody (0-1), C English, M Kehoe (0-1); E Barry, L Fairbrother (0-10, 8f), C Darcy (0-2). Subs: C Flanagan (0-1) for C English, D Walsh (0-4) for E Barry, K Breen for G Dunne, S Neville for J Morris, C Stakelum for R Doody.

Cork - G Collins; P Lyons, N O'Leary, D Guiney; J Cooper, S O'Leary Hayes, E Clifford; L Healy (0-1), C O'Mahony; S Condon, M Bradley (0-1), T Deasy; J O'Connor (0-3), D Gunning (0-1), J Beausang (1-7, 0-6f). Subs: R Howell for P Lyons, E Sheehan (0-2) for S Condon, J Saich for C O'Mahony, B Turnbull for L Healy, J Geary for D Gunning.

Referee - J Murphy.


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