Tipperary keep their nerve

Tipperary - 3-7 Cork - 2-7Holders Tipperary retained their Munster minor hurling title after a closely fought but substandard final against All-Ireland champions Cork at Cork yesterday.

Aided by the breeze, Tipperary had the better of the first half exchanges. Francis Devaney got them off to an ideal start with a goal in the first minute, but Cork responded promptly with a Brendan Barry goal three minutes later.

Still, Tipperary stayed in control and helped by a Trevor Ivers goal in the 13th minute, they led at the interval by 2-5 to 1-2.

Michael Naughton raised Cork hopes with a goal off a 20-metre free in the first minute of the second half.

But Tipperary held their ground and a second goal from Trevor Ivors in the ninth minute restored their six-point advantage.

From then on Cork got on top, but a lack of scoring power weakened their challenge as Tipperary held on for a deserved win.

It was not a vintage display by Tipperary, but Michael Bergin, Diarmuid Corcoran, Francis Devaney, Trevor Ivors and John Boland all played key roles.

Cork relied heavily on the free-taking of Michael Naughton for scores. Others to do well for them were David Murphy, Richard Relihan, Stephen O'Sullivan and Kevin Hartnett.

TIPPERARY: P McCormack; M Treacy, D Bourke, M Bergin; J Boland, C O'Mahony (0-1), L Shanahan; W Cully, D Corcoran; P Shortt (0-1), F Devaney (1-0), T Scroope (0-1); D Morrissey (0-1), D Kennedy, T Ivors (2-3). Subs: W Ryan for Shanahan, T Fitzgerald for O'Mahony, C O'Brien for Scroope, P Ryan for Cully.

CORK: S Bowen; PJ Copse, B Lane, D Murphy; R Relehan, K Hartnett, B Clifford; M Naughton (1-4), G O'Loughlin; C O'Reilly, S O'Sullivan, S Stack; R Butler (0-1), B Barry (1-1), B Ring. Subs: M O'Sullivan for O'Reilly, D Cronin for Ring, B Smiddy (0-1) for Stack.

Referee: J M Kelly, Waterford.