A strong Cork performance saw 13 different scorers contribute to a commanding 1-26 to 0-10 victory over Tipperary at Cappawhite as the Rebels opened their season in impressive fashion.

Ruairí Deane marked his first start since 2024 with an early goal, while Seán McDonnell was outstanding from play, finishing with 0-6 including a two-pointer, as Cork asserted control from the opening exchanges.

Cork were 1-4 without reply inside the opening four minutes. Deane, captaining the side on the day, opened the scoring with a handpassed point after just 22 seconds before palming to the net in the third minute following a pass from Chris Óg Jones. In between, McDonnell struck an early two-pointer to underline Cork’s intent.

Tipperary captain Paudie Feehan registered their first score from play and later produced an excellent goal-line save to deny Jones, but Cork continued to dominate. Further two-pointers from Cathail O’Mahony and centre-back Rory Maguire, along with a Mark Cronin free for a 4v3 breach, helped Cork to a commanding 1-11 to 0-3 half-time lead.

After the break, Mark Russell raised Tipperary’s only orange flag of the afternoon, but Cork’s grip on the game never loosened. Maguire powered forward to add another two-pointer, while Colm O’Callaghan showcased his versatility with three points – off his right, left, and fist.

John Cleary’s bench made a telling impact, with five substitutes getting on the scoresheet. Steven Sherlock marked his return to the Rebel panel with a point, while Denis O’Connor registered his first senior score on debut as Cork comfortably saw out the contest.

Scorers for Cork:
S McDonnell 0-6 (1 two-pointer), M Cronin 0-4 (1 two-pointer, free), R Deane 1-1, C O’Callaghan 0-3, R Maguire 0-2 (1 two-pointer), C O’Mahony 0-2 (1 two-pointer), B Hurley (free) 0-2, S Walsh, C Cahalane, M Taylor, S Sherlock, L Murphy, D O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Tipperary:
S O’Connor 0-4 (0-2 frees), M Russell 0-2 (1 two-pointer), E Moloney, P Feehan, C Smith (free), M Barlow 0-1 each.

Cork:
P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), S Meehan (Kiskeam), K O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers); B O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), R Maguire (Castlehaven), L Fahy (Ballincollig); C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), S Walsh (Mitchelstown); R Deane (Bantry Blues, capt), S McDonnell (Mallow), C Cahalane (Castlehaven); M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), C Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), C O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).

Subs:
D Cashman (Millstreet) for B O’Driscoll, D O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for M Shanley, L Murphy (Cullen) for C O’Mahony (all h-t); D O’Connor (Knocknagree) for C Óg Jones, D Newman (St Finbarr’s) for P Doyle (both 36); B Hurley (Castlehaven) for M Cronin, S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for S McDonnell, C O’Shea (Kilshannig) for K O’Donovan, M Taylor (Mallow) for S Walsh (all 46).

Tipperary:
R McGrath; E Moloney, E O’Connell, M McFadden; D O’Brien, P Feehan (capt), L Boland; M Russell, K Costello; C Deely, B Carey, N Heffernan; C Smith, S O’Connor, M Barlow.

Subs:
J Harney for D O’Brien (25), M Stokes for B Carey (h-t); B O’Connor for L Boland, S Ryan for R McGrath, M Lowry for N Heffernan (all 46); N Heffernan for M Russell (62, inj).

Referee: Seán Joy (Kerry)