Two goals from Cathal Horan propelled Tipp to a 2-16 to 1-9 victory over Cork at Thurles.

This Munster minor hurling championship semi-final play-off took place on Sunday afternoon in blustery conditions at Semple Stadium, with the wind blowing across the pitch towards the Kilinan end.

It was Last Chance Saloon for both teams, who had already lost to Waterford and Limerick respectively in their opening provincial championship assignments.

And the Tipp lads - with 2-13 coming from their full-forward line - did more than enough to progress to a June 24th semi-final meeting with Clare. The Leesiders were restricted to just two scores in the second half.

Cork got off to the better start and led by 0-6 to 1-1 after 15 minutes thanks to scores from Rob O'Shea, Killian McIntyre, Darren Sweetnam and Dillon Cahill.

Mullinahone sharpshooter Horan had scored the early goal for Tipperary and he added a further major as well as two sweet points from play before the interval to help the Premier County to a narrow 2-5 to 0-8 interval advantage.

The hosts had the wind in the second half and, despite a 34th-minute Pa O'Callaghan goal, they completely dominated proceedings.

But for some great saves by Cork goalkeeper Gary Minihane, the gap between the teams could have been greater. Loughmore-Castleiney's Liam McGrath top-scored for the victors with 0-9 from placed balls.

Tipperary: Shane Hassett; James Bourke, John Meagher, Jack Peters; Thomas Hamill, Jason Forde (captain), Cathal Barrett; Bill Maher, Eoin Fennelly; Conor Hammersley (0-2), Dan McCormack (0-1), Pat Ralph; John McGrath (0-2); Liam McGrath (0-9), Cathal Horan (2-2) Subs: Seamus Kennedy for Cathal Barrett, Barry Heffernan for John McGrath.

Cork: Gary Minihane; Alan Dennehy, Colm Barry, Anthony Dennehy; Cormac Walsh, Colm Spillane, Killian Burke; Shane O'Keeffe, Killian McIntyre (0-2); Alan Cadogan, Dillon Cahill (0-1), Cormac Murphy; Pa O'Callaghan (1-0), Darren Sweetnam (0-1), Rob O'Shea (0-5). Subs: Cian Buckley for Barry, Tomás Condon for Alan Dennehy, Danny Morrissey for Anthony Dennehy, Cillian Cullinane for Cadogan, John Fitzgerald for O'Keeffe. Tweet

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