Tipperary earn bragging rights

Munster SH Cup Final/Tipperary 1-17 Cork 2-11:The two sides may meet again later in the summer when the stakes are infinitely higher but for now, the bragging rights belong to Tipperary. Tipp and Cork find themselves on opposite sides of the Munster hurling championship draw, and barring a fall by either runner, they will meet in a third successive provincial final on July 8th.

This was a first competitive victory for Tipperary over Cork in senior hurling since a league game back in 2002. And the clinching of the Waterford Crystal Munster Cup brings Michael "Babs" Keating his first trophy since he decided to return for a second stint as Tipperary manager in late 2005.

Furthermore, Tipperary have a tournament victory to savour for the first time at senior level since winning the All-Ireland in 2001.

Cork manager Gerald McCarthy won't mind losing in February but conceding a five-point first-half lead will have concerned him.

Cork roared out of the traps and led by 1-2 to 0-0 after just four minutes of play, Diarmuid O'Sullivan crashing home the early goal, but Tipperary wouldn't lie down. Cork struck again after 25 minutes, O'Sullivan turning provider for Jonathan O'Callaghan, but Tipp came back again and led 1-8 to 2-4 at the break, Danny O'Hanlon crashing home on the 30-minute mark.

In the second half, five-time All Star Eoin Kelly added 0-5 to his four first-half points and it was a good day for the Kelly brothers, with Paul adding 0-4, to bring up a combined tally of 0-13.

A good afternoon's work at Páirc Uí Chaoimh but the serious business begins in a fortnight with the National League. Still, Keating will be happy with the spirit shown by his players.

TIPPERARY: B Cummins; E Buckley, P Maher, D Fanning; V Doheny, S Maher, D Fitzgerald; S Lillis, C Morrissey; T Scroope (0-1), D Egan (0-1), L Corbett (0-1); E Kelly (0-9, five frees, one 65), D O'Hanlon (1-1), P Kelly (0-4). Subs: I Delaney for Fanning (42 mins), J Woodlock for Lillis (45 mins), J Carroll for Doheny (53 mins), P Bourke for Scroope (60 + 4).

CORK: M Coleman; W Sherlock, C O'Connor, E O'Sullivan; G Callanan, R Curran, J Gardiner; K Murphy, T Kenny; C McGann (0-1), N McCarthy (0-3), K Canty; J O'Callaghan (1-3), D O'Sullivan (1-0), J Deane (0-4, three frees). Subs: M Harrington for Canty (42 mins), M O'Connell for McGann (46 mins), P Kelly for Gardiner (51 mins).

Referee: A Heagney (Clare).