Player ratings as Cork fall asunder against rampant Tipp

Extra.ie​

5 days ago

In what was the biggest day in the Hurling calendar, a disastrous second half saw Cork's dreams of lifting Liam McCarthy shattered as the premier county emerged victorious.
Took a risk in trying to take down a Jake Morris point attempt, and was punished. It could have gone short more when Tipperary set up with an extra man at the back.
Stole forward for a point in the first half but couldn't pin down Darragh McCarthy. Niall O'Leary. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Won his share of physical battles early on with John McGrath, but picked up a soft enough yellow before half-time. Got caught on the wrong side of McGrath for the penalty, and his second yellow compounded Cork's woes.
Took on the challenge of keeping tabs on Jason Forde and was solid throughout.
Made a big catch to drive on his team just as Cork were in the ascendancy in the first half, but couldn't stamp his authority on the game.
Made a strong run to set in motion Cork's goal. Caught up, though, by the pace and movement of the Tipperary half-forward line. Robert Downey. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
When Tipperary dropped a man back, looked tailor-made for a loose role for Cork. Just couldn't get hands on enough ball.
Put his head in his hands when trying to play a crossfield ball, only to see it intercepted. Never imposed himself in the way he can.
Looked dangerous on the front foot in first half and tried to carry the fight until the end.
Never looked at ease. Won a big turnover in first half and nailed the free, but visibly dejected when replaced by Seamus Harnedy. Declan Dalton. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Took his goal with aplomb and looked, right then, like the game's decisive figure.
Set the tone with the game's first score inside 12 seconds and showed his pace in adding another couple. Sacrificed after the red card.
His point from play in the first half, off his back foot and heading away from goal, was class. Missed a free at the start of the second half and coughed up two fouls on Michael Breen.
Never got a proper sniff. Robert Doyle did so well to curb his influence and limit Cork's hattrick man from the semi-final to a single point. Alan Connolly. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Couldn't win clean ball, with Ronan Maher such an imposing man-marker. Fouled for the late penalty but Conor Lehane's shot was saved.
Seamus Harnedy hit a wide not long after coming on, but worked hard and saw a goal attempt hit the crossbar.
Damien Cahalane was blown for a frontal charge, Conor Lehane saw his penalty saved, while time was against Shane Kingston and Tommy O'Connell.
Ryan has been a brilliant guiding force, but the nature of Cork's collapse will really hurt, and any changes have failed to stem the tide. Pat Ryan. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
Full-length dive to stop Conor Lehane's penalty provided perfect finish. Even took a short free and bombed over a point from play late on.
A true captain's part. Went toe-to-toe with the front runner for Hurler of the Year in Brian Hayes and won the battle.
Find of the year, an All-Star in waiting. The epitome of the modern defender in going from corner-back to tagging Alan Connolly and even scoring a point.
Thundered into it as the game wore on. Could do nothing for the score that Horgan got in the first half and was so dynamic on restart. Michael Breen. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
So dangerous on the front foot, flashed a goal attempt just wide and bombed a trademark point.
Looked a bit unsettled in more of a central role than he is used to but worked tirelessly.
Named at midfield but when Tipperary were out of possession, he dropped to free up O'Mara.
Effective in dropping as a plus one and screening the runs of Cork's inside line. Bryan O'Mara. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Just like the semi-final against Kilkenny, Stakelum showed his worth in the middle.
Another of Tipperary's All-Ireland winning under 20 hurlers who has such a bright future. Can play anywhere across the middle third.
Another vital part of a Tipperary half-forward line that unsettled Cork's half-back line.
Does everything at a relentless pace. All dancing feet, he was a constant threat. Jake Morris. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The ultimate tale of redemption. What character to bounce back from two summer sendings-off to put in a man-of-the-match display.
Cork will claim a Seamus Darby-type nudge for the penalty, but this was a day when McGrath showed all his guile and goal-scoring instincts, scoring 2-2 and assisting in much more.
Always looked dangerous and pinched two points from play. Jason Forde. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The introduction of Seamus Kennedy and Alan Tynan gave Tipp a mix of energy and experience during the second half and Noel McGrath lifted the crowd and then rounded off the day's scoring.
Darragh Stakelum and Oisin O'Donoghue both helped to keep Tipperary rolling to the final whistle.
Saw how Cork hit seven goals against Dublin and set up superbly in a tactical sense. Nearly all the key match-ups worked.
From bottom of Munster last year to All-Ireland champions – it's been a remarkable rebuild.