Cork rampant after first half of Munster final
Cork 1-13 Tipperary 0-05 - Half-time
All-Ireland champions Cork look on course to claim their second Munster SHC title in three years as they lead Tipperary 1-13 to 0-5 at the break of today's final at Paric Ui Chaoimh.
Tipp blazed into a 0-2 to no score lead through opening points from Paul Kelly ('65) and Eoin Kelly, and the latter added two more for a 0-4 to 0-2 advantage on eight minutes.
The Premier men then went scoreless for the next 28 minutes as John Allen's Rebels, who lost Brian Corcoran to an early shoulder injury, stormed clear with some scintillating and slick attacking play.
The metronome free-taking of captain Ben O'Connor (0-2), added to two points from Joe Deane and Jerry O'Connor, had Cork in front before Deane netted from a dropping ball on 19 minutes for a 1-6 to 0-4 lead.
Ben O'Connor (0-2), Kieran Murphy, Niall McCarthy, Niall Ronan, on for Corcoran, Deane and Jerry O'Connor all scored subsequent points - five of the six Cork forwards have scored so far.
Tipp, who had a 24th-minute penalty shot from Eoin Kelly saved by Cork 'keeper Donal Og Cusack, tagged on a late free from Paul Kelly to keep in touch.
