Tipperary have won the U20 Munster Hurling Championship by a single-point but not without controversy at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
It has been a mixed week for hurling in The Premier County, with the senior team suffering a massive hammering at the hands of Cork last weekend.
However, the minors brought some much needed positivity by winning their Munster Championship following a 2-17 to 0-16 over Clare in the final on Monday night.
The U20s have now followed suit with a 1-19 to 0-21 defeat of Cork although the Rebels will have every right to feel aggrieved about the result.
Clear Cork goal not awarded in U20 loss to Tipp
There is disbelief among Cork supporters and rightly so after a moment of madness in which they were not awarded a clear goal with the game in the balance.
Just over 46 minutes had elapsed when Cork's William Buckley’s attempt dropped short and into the hand of Tipp goalkeeper Eoin Horgan.
However, Horgan clearly caught the ball behind his goalline, with the roof of the net appearing to bulge as he gathered and then dropped the ball.
Somehow, neither umpire saw what happened and Cork, who deserved to go a point in front, still trailed by two points.
"I think that umpire should get his glasses!" Agree fully with what Ben O'Connor says about the match officals tonight when watching the Cork goal that wasn't given. Players put too much time in to have to put up with calls like that. It takes too much from the game #hurling pic.twitter.com/hMsHiBlNNX
— Stephen Gleeson (@StephenGleeson_) May 24, 2024
Cork manager Ben O'Connor was in disbelief after the game, suggesting that the umpire "get his glasses" after making the wrong call.
That is after costing us. It is not sour grapes or anything.
"But if you cannot judge that behind the crossbar then there is no point standing there at all."
Tipp manager Brendan Cummins was told that Cork had not been awarded a goal in his post-match interview with TG4, but did not seem to know much about it at first.
'I don't know anything about that. All I know is that we won the match by a point and that is the end of that," he said.
When shown the replay he added: "It doesn't (change the result) and it is a positive week for Tipperary.
U20 Munster Hurling Champions 2024!! 🏆@TipperaryGAA 1-19@OfficialCorkGAA 0-21
Labhair Brendan Cummins linn i ndiaidh an chluiche.
'My heart's not the better for it... it was so close out there.. I just can't believe we're after winning..'@MunsterGAA #GAABEO @oneills1918 pic.twitter.com/CVKu4i6QET— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 24, 2024
'A goal or no goal, that is the way it is in sport. I've lost plenty of games along the line. Cork were unbelievable All-Ireland champions. All I am looking now is preparing for Offaly next weekend.
"The case is closed regarding goals or whatever. That is sport, that is the GAA.
"You ask Waterford last weekend about a 65' last week - that is the nature of our game.
"It might go against us next weekend and we will have to swallow it again but that is the nature of it."
U20 Munster Hurling Champions 2024!! 🏆@TipperaryGAA 1-19@OfficialCorkGAA 0-21
Labhair Brendan Cummins linn i ndiaidh an chluiche.
'My heart's not the better for it... it was so close out there.. I just can't believe we're after winning..'@MunsterGAA #GAABEO @oneills1918 pic.twitter.com/CVKu4i6QET— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 24, 2024
There was further cause for anger for Cork fans with Diarmuid Healy charging through the Tipp goal before he was clattered cynically by Adam Daly.
Cork would level things from the free, but surprisingly no black card was shown to Daly.
Pulled down bearing down on goal.
Cork v Tipperary u20 Munster Hurling final: pic.twitter.com/A9UJ4CFfJ4— Craic Of The Ash (@CraicOfTheAsh) May 24, 2024
Tipperary forged on with a full squad upon the restart and would add the final and decisive point to secure the victory.
It was a cracker of a score from Darragh McCarthy.
64 nóim, #CORvTIP@OfficialCorkGAA 0-21@TipperaryGAA 1-19
An scór buacach ó Darragh McCarthy agus is iad Tiobraid Árann seaimpíní na Mumhan 2024! 🥎
Darragh McCarthy with the winning score for Tipperary! 👏
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺 @MunsterGAA #GAABEO @oneills1918 pic.twitter.com/gUJe4fa67W— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 24, 2024
Tipperary will meet Offaly in the final in Nowlan Park on Saturday, June 1 in a repeat of the thrilling 2020 Minor All-Ireland final.
The two counties famously met in 2022 with Tipp winning 1-17 to 1-16 and Offaly will be keen for revenge.
