Cork won the Munster U21 title for the third year in a row with a very comfortable and fully deserved victory over Tipperary at Semple Stadium on Wednesday
evening.
Mark Sugrue's goal midway through the second half was the decisive score for Cork, as it put them five points ahead with less than 15 minutes to go. Tipperary had been edging their way back into the game just before the score, but the goal quickly halted the charge of David Power's side and Cork powered on to the victory.
The match had been fairly tight up until that point,but Cork finished the game very strongly and kicked seven of the last eight points to seal an 11-point win.
A tight first half ended with Tipperary just ahead, leading 0-5 to 0-4, but Cork quickly took charge of proceedings after the restart.
Alan Cadogan quickly equalised for Cork, and then points from Brian Hurley, Luke Connolly and another from Cadogan put them 0-10 to 0-6 ahead with 38 minutes played.
Tipperary brought the gap back to two points, but Sugrue's goal put Cork five ahead, and they never looked back after that. Three quick points from Dan MacEoin after the goal had them eight up, and they continued to add more scores before the whistle
to wrap up the win and get their hands on the Corn na Cásca.
Cork will play Cavan in the All-Ireland Semi-final on April 20th at 3.45pm in Tullamore.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Sugrue 1-1, Alan Cadogan, Luke Connolly, Dan McEoin (0-1f), Brian Hurley (0-2f)
0-3 each, Tom Clancy, Jamie Wall, Kevin Hallissey, Tom Hegarty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tipperary: Liam McGrath 0-5 (0-5f), Shane Leahy 0-2,
Jason Lonergan, Steven O'Brien 0-1 each.
Cork: David Hanrahan (Douglas); Conor Dorman (Bishopstown), Damien Cahalane (Castlehaven), Alan
Cronin (Nemo Rangers); TJ Brosnan (Newmarket), Tom Clancy (Clonakilty), Jamie Wall (Kilbrittain); Sean Kiely (Ballincollig), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr's); Alan Cadogan (Douglas), Mark Sugrue (Bandon), John O'Rourke (Carbery Rangers); Dan McEoin (Ilen Rovers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers).
Tipperary: Gearoid Slattery (Cashel King Cormacs); Niall O'Sullivan (Moycarkey/Borris), Darragh Kearney
(Clonmel Óg), Conor O'Sullivan (Galtee Rovers); Niall O'Meara (Kilruane McDonaghs), Seamus Kennedy (Clonmel Commercials), Paddy Dalton (Arravale
Rovers); Steven O'Brien (Ballina), Dylan Fitzell (Cashel King Cormacs); Bill Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash), Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials), Donagh Leahy (Arravale Rovers); Liam McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney), Michael Quinlivan (Clonmel Commercials), Shane Leahy (Arravale Rovers).
Referee: Richard Moloney (Limerick)