Cork vs Tipperary Preview
Cork and Tipperary meet in the National Hurling League final on April 6th at 4:00 pm for the first time since 1960. The Tipp are hoping to become the most successful NHL team in history by hoisting their 20th title. Cork are hunting for their first since 1998.
The sides boast the two best attacking records in the league and put on an entertaining clash in their last meeting. Can Cork finally break their 27-year duck, or will Tipp become history makers at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh?
Cork vs Tipperary Predictions
Score prediction: Cork 2-24 – 1-20 Tipperary
One of the best GAA predictions this week is for Cork to win the National Hurling League Division One final. Their attacking play has been their standout feature this season. Their forwards have been in exceptional form and can punish even the most minor defensive lapse. Cork’s running game and ball movement will be key to unlocking Tipperary’s defence, and they will take the game to Tipperary from the first whistle.
Cork comes into the final with the best attacking statistics in the division this season. They’ve impressed with their flair, scoring freely from play, and will look to carry that momentum into the final. Their ability to transition quickly from defence to attack has been key, and they will look to exploit any gaps in Tipperary’s defence. That was on show when they trounced the Tipp in the Munster Championship last year.
What has been most impressive about the Leesiders is how they have maintained defensive solidity alongside that attacking flair. They boast the defensive record in the division, scoring 167 and allowing just 128. Cork has the perfect mix of point-scoring ability and defensive grit and can outclass Tipperary at both ends of the pitch.
However, this will not be a simple walkover. Tipperary already have a win over Cork this season. The Premier Men defeated their rivals in round four of the regular season in a tight game at FBD Semple Stadium. Their attack is more than capable of punishing defensive lapses, too, having scored just one point fewer than Cork in the division.
They will probably focus on hitting Cork on counterattacks in this game. A patient approach will make it tough to break down their resolute defence. Instead, Tipperary will look to win the battle in the air and get the ball forward quickly, while Cork’s forwards have committed themselves high up the pitch.
Ultimately, Cork’s superior attacking options and ability to transition quickly should see them edge out Tipperary in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Tipperary may have a psychological edge following their previous victory, but the home advantage is no longer a factor. Cork can win the final in front of a home crowd. This game should be tighter than the odds indicate, but Cork have enough class to edge out their opponents.
Players To Watch
- Darragh Fitzgibbon (Midfield, Cork): Cork have been able to spread points throughout their squad this season, with several players featuring in the top 10 scorers in the division. However, Darragh Fitzgibbon is king above them all. He has scored 30 points this season, but his game is about even more. He will be integral in creating for the Leesiders with his playmaking ability.
- Darragh McCarthy (Forward, Tipperary): Darragh McCarthy had an incredible debut season in the NHL. The teenager leads the league for points with an incredible 50 from five games. His ability from frees has been integral to Tipperary’s campaign, and he already looks like a shoo-in for our list of the best hurlers of all time. McCarthy will lead the forward line, and the unflappable Toomevara man can play beyond his years.
Cork vs Tipperary Betting Tips
- Match Result – Cork to win: Cork enter the final as favourites with our online betting site. Their superior scoring and defensive record point towards them clinching their first NHL title in 27 years. Playing on home turf gives them an edge, and they can avenge the regular-season loss to the Premier Men. They are worth 2/7. Make no mistake, though, Tipperary finished top of the division and this will not be easy for Cork. A bet on Tipperary to win is worth 3/1 if you think they can pull off the upset.
- Winning Margin – Cork to win by 4-6 points: The last meeting between these sides ended in a four-point winning margin for Tipperary. We are expecting a similar score here, but in favour of Cork this time round. Their defence will hold off the Premier Men enough to allow their forwards to shine and outscore them. A bet on Cork to win by 4-6 points is worth 7/2.
- Handicap – Tipperary +5: We think a four-point winning margin is the sweet spot for this game. The handicap is set at five points for anyone betting on hurling. Tipperary have not lost by a margin wider than four points all season and we think the Premier Men can cover in the final.
- Combination Bets: The County Football Championships begin this weekend and that opens the way for some combination bets. Wexford and Longford are home underdogs in their Leinster Championship games. Along with Tipperary, we can see one or more of them claiming a victory. We like a patent bet on the three over this championship weekend, coming in at 82/1, which will cover you if just one of those three teams wins.
Cork vs Tipperary Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in round four of the NHL in February. An entertaining game saw Tipperary come out on top with a 2-22 – 1-21 victory. The game was level at 1-17 each in the 54th minute before a late 1-3 burst from Tipp secured the victory. Cork had started well, leading 0-3 to 0-1, but Tipp struck early with a goal from Jake Morris. The teams traded scores throughout, with Cork briefly leading at 1-5 to 1-2.
Tipp’s late surge, including a goal from Dylan Walsh, gave them a commanding 2-20 to 1-17 lead. Cork reduced the deficit slightly but couldn’t pull ahead in the closing minutes. The Premier Men held to send them top of the division, leapfrogging the Leesiders. The match saw strong performances from Ronan Maher and Jason Forde, while Cork’s Darragh Fitzgibbon and Jack O’Connor impressed.
Cork last played on March 22nd when they outclassed Galway to send themselves into the final riding a wave of momentum. Cork cruised to a 4-22 to 0-22 victory at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Four goals sealed the win for Cork, with Patrick Horgan contributing 1-9, making him the top scorer in hurling league history. Despite a knee injury to Brian Hayes in the second half, Cork’s depth shone through, with Séamus Harnedy and Alan Connolly marking their returns with scores.
The match was level at 0-4 each before Cork’s first goal came from Hayes, followed by another from Fitzgibbon. A third goal early in the second half, set up by Declan Dalton for Horgan, left Galway with little hope. Cork’s dominance was further underlined by a fourth goal from Shane Kingston, resulting in a 14-point lead. Harnedy and Connolly scored to put the game beyond doubt and send Cork to the final.
Tipperary played their final regular season game on the same day in a breathless victory over Clare. They secured a dramatic 0-22 to 1-18 win at FBD Semple Stadium. Clare led 0-10 to 0-8 at half-time, with Tony Kelly and Mark Rodgers among their scorers. Tipperary, despite playing into the wind, had solid performances from Brian McGrath, Ronan Maher, and Jason Forde.
Clare came out strongly in the second half, with Mark Rodgers scoring a goal just 33 seconds after the restart, pushing them to a 1-14 to 0-9 lead. Tipperary responded with six unanswered points. Despite a late rally from Clare, Tipp snatched victory in injury time with points from Jason Forde, Eoghan Connolly, and a last-minute strike from Darragh Stakelum.
Cork Key Stats
Cork began their season unconvincingly, going 1-1-1 in their first three games. The Leesiders picked up from there on out. They won all three remaining games, fighting off final contenders to finish second in the league. They tightened their back line and went on a free-scoring run that helped them become the top scorers in the division and reach the final.
- 167 points scored (Best in Division 1A)
- 128 points conceded (Best in Division 1A)
- Three players are in the top 10 scorers in the league
- 14 NHL titles won (Joint 2nd most in history)
- Last appeared in the final in 2022
Tipperary Key Stats
Tipperary opened their season with back-to-back wins and rarely looked back. They lost to Limerick in round three but won their three remaining games, including a victory over Cork. They were excellent in attack, with Darragh Fitzgibbon averaging 10.00 points per game in his five appearances.
- 166 points scored (2nd best in Division 1A)
- 138 points conceded (Joint 3rd best in Division 1A)
- Darragh Fitzgibbon is the leading scorer in Division 1A
- 19 NHL titles won (Joint-most in history)
- 39 NHL final appearances (Most in history)
