Passion play deserves a reprise

Tipperary 1-18, Cork 3-12. Munster under-21 hurling now comes with a written guarantee of total entertainment. Last night in Thurles some of the finest qualities and skills of the game shifted cleanly between Tipperary and Cork, but in the end they still refused to be separated. Ian O'Riordan reports from Semple Stadium.

So the action resumes in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening (6.30), and while that is certain to be a different game, it should be no less absorbing. Neither team will want to go down without another battle of this sort.

For a title that has been so hard to win in recent years, Tipperary seemed to have this one in the bag after the first 20 minutes. Limerick, in the past three years, had made a habit of bringing the title hunt down to the wire, but when Tipperary pulled eight points clear just before half-time it seemed Thurles would be denied such high tension.

Yet all that changed with Cork's fight back in the second half, helped largely by three goals, but also by some gutsy performances in a defence which finally got to grips with Tipperary's remarkably free-scoring forwards.

It meant the crowd of 10,168 were all on their feet in the closing minutes as both teams went in for the kill.

Cork cut into Tipperary's lead with ferocious pace, with goals from, first, full forward Diarmuid Murphy just after half-time, then corner forward Kieran Murphy after 45 minutes, and finally substitute Michael Naughton on exactly 50 minutes.

That score, self-created by Naughton from well out the field, tied the scores again for the first time since the opening minutes - 3-8 to Tipperary's 1-14.

Murphy immediately pushed Cork in front with another perfectly taken free, one of his 1-8 contribution, and suddenly Tipperary were in real trouble. It was an almost mystifying turn of form.

Though Murphy's free had opened the scoring for Cork in the first minute, Tipperary were soon looking the more lively. The half-back line became the platform for a series of dangerous attacks, but not before Hugh Moloney - their outstanding wing back - used his great athleticism to fire over their first point.

For the remainder of the first half the Tipperary scores came thick and fast. Full forward John O'Brien and centre forward Francis Devaney were leading the way, with Eoin Kelly holding off a little bit, preferring to act as playmaker for the time being. As the game progressed his influence soared.

By the end of the first half five of the six starting forwards were on the score sheet. John O'Brien stretched their advantage to five points by firing home the game's opening goal on 17 minutes, after catching a sweetly delivered free from Moloney, turning his man, and picking his spot in the net.

By the call for half-time Tipperary were breathing easy, up 1-10 to 0-5. Cork came out and made some necessary adjustments, which immediately had the required effect. Graham Callinan came to midfield to greatly improve matters there, but most crucial of all was Cian O'Connor's move from the wing to full back, which finally did something about the threat of the Tipperary full forwards.

Still they needed inspiration up front as well. Setanta Ó hAilpín had not made the expected impression, so it was O'Riordan, Murphy and Naughton who provided the substance of the Cork rally.

Tipperary, however, had a rally left in them too. After Cork had edged that point in front, Moloney - cool as ice - levelled it again, and the last five minutes were pure tension.

Incredibly, Tipperary then pulled two points ahead through David Kennedy and defender Eamonn Buckley, only for Cork to quickly balance them out though centre forward Kieran Murphy and Graham Callinan.

Then, with time up, an Eoin Kelly free - their only score all night not from play - seemed to give Tipperary the decisive edge.

Yet Murphy got one chance to enforce his accuracy in the three minutes of added time, and he didn't miss from the spot either.

Officially there were a further 30 seconds to play, but referee Michael Wadding reckoned he had seen enough, and better to save it for another day.

TIPPERARY: V Doheny; E Buckley (0-1), J Devane, M Phelan; M Maher, D Fitzgerald, H Moloney (0-2); E Ryan, P Buckley; M Farrell (0-1), F Devaney (0-2), T Scroope (0-1); E Kelly (0-7, one free), J O'Brien (1-3), R O'Brien. Subs: J Ryan for Doheny (29 mins), D Kennedy (0-1) for Farrell (41 mins), C O'Mahoney for Buckley (60 mins).

CORK: M Coleman; S Murphy, G O'Brien, B Murphy; G Callinan (0-1), J Gardiner, C O'Connor; P Tierney, K Hartnett; S O'Sullivan, K Murphy (0-2), F Murphy; S Ó hAilpín (0-1), D O'Riordan (1-0), K Murphy (1-8, six frees). Subs: D Cashman for O'Sullivan (22 mins), M Naughton (1-0) for F Murphy (38 mins), M O'Connor for Cashman (53 mins).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)