Cork complete four-in-a-row of Munster U-21 football titles

Cork 1-18 Tipperary 3-8

Cork survived the concession of two second-half goals to join Kerry at the top of the Munster under-21 football roll-of-honour with their 25th success in front of a crowd of 4,164 at Páirc Uí Rinn. It was their fourth consecutive title.

Cork dominated the opening quarter thanks to the efforts of midfielders Ian Maguire and Killian O'Hanlon which allowed rampaging wing-back Kevin Crowley to burst forward for a couple of fine points.

Sean Kiely was also conspicuous under the high ball as Cork greatly diluted the influence of Tipp's formidable midfield pairing of Steven O'Brien and Colin O'Riordan.

Cork's more direct approach also reaped dividends with Alan Cadogan and Dan MacEoin supplying the finishing touches to some spectacular movement and by the 15th minute the champions had roared 0-7 to 0-2 in front.

Three points
The placing of Brian O'Driscoll at centre-forward –he was listed at right half-back – also paid off for the champions as he kicked three points in the period to underline Cork's superiority.

Tipperary, who were slow and ponderous by comparison, needed a lift and it came with a stunning goal from substitute Colman Kennedy, who scored with his first touch after 25 minutes following a flowing move.

Michael Quinlivan added a glorious score from play a few moments later to offer his side some hope on the resumption, trailing by 0-12 to 1-4, but with it all to do.

Yet, they hit a purple patch from the restart and drew level with a fine O’Brien goal in the 38th minute and points from O’Riordan and Quinlivan, 2-7 to 0-13, to stun the home crowd.

Unanswered points
Cork's response was swift and decisive as they tacked on three unanswered points, two from MacEoin and Cadogan before Kiely availed of a John Corkery pass to score their lone goal 12 minutes from the end, finishing with a thunderous low drive with his left foot.

It left them seemingly back in control at 1-16 to 2-7, but Tipperary struck for their third goal three minutes later, when Greg Henry scored to set up the prospect of a rousing climax. Cork remained calm and composed and late points from Kiely and the magnificent Cadogan, who was announced as the man of the match, wrapped up victory.

They now advance to face Connacht champions Roscommon on Saturday week.
CORK: M Martin; J Davis, C Dorman, captain, S Cronin; K Fulignati, S White, K Crowley (0-2); K O'Hanlon, I Maguire; M Sugrue (0-1 free), B O'Driscoll (0-3, one free), S Kiely (1-1); D MacEoin (0-5, four frees), J Corkery (0-1), A Cadogan (0-5). Subs: K McIntyre for Sugrue 42 mins, D Harrington for MacEoin 51 mins, K Kavanagh for Fulignati 54 mins, D Murphy for Maguire 59 mins, S Ryan for Corkery 59 mins
TIPPERARY: G Slattery; N O'Sullivan, J Feehan, C O'Sullivan; A McGuire, S Kennedy, B Maher; S O'Brien (1-0), C O'Riordan (0-1); J McGrath, I Fahey, G Henry (1-1); L McGrath, M Quinlivan (0-5, three frees), S Flynn. Subs: C Kennedy (1-1) for Fahey (24 mins), J Keane for L McGrath (46 mins), K Fahey for N O'Sullivan (49 mins), J Lonergan for Henry (51 mins), Fahey for J McGrath (53 mins), L Casey for O'Riordan (55 mins).
Referee: P O'Sullivan (Kerry)