Tipperary's hopes of a breakthrough in the new national league format were dashed by a well balanced Cork side who ran out easy winners by 15 points in an entertaining Section D tie at Clonmel yesterday. Cork missed the chance for a dream start when full forward Joe Kavanagh failed to score from the penalty spot in the third minute. They recovered quickly however, and after Ciaran O'Sullivan scored their opening point after four minutes, goals from Peter Hegarty and Mark O'Sullivan in the fifth and eighth minutes, sent them on their way to victory.

Tipperary star forward Declan Browne raised hopes when he pointed after nine minutes and then blasted home the second penalty of the game awarded after he was fouled.

He reduced the lead to two points when he added another score after 13 minutes but then the highly motivated Cork side responded with a barrage of scores. There was never any doubt about the outcome after Joe Kavanagh, Aidan Dorgan, Nicholas Murphy, Mark O'Sullivan, Ciaran O'Sullivan and Stephen Dineen had tagged on points for the winners.

Peter Lamber replied with a pointed free just on half time for Tipperary, but the game had ended as a contest - it was 2-7 to 1-3 and the way back for Tipperary was looking more and more difficult.

The third penalty of the game was awarded to Cork three minutes into the second half and when leading scorer Mark O'Sullivan made no mistake, with his drive to the corner of the net, Cork took over. By the 42nd minute they were ahead 3-10 to 1-3 but Tipperary snatched a goal back when midfielder Michael Spillane fisted Declan Browne's centre past goalkeeper Ciaran O'Dwyer.

Two points from Pat Hegarty and Stephen Dineen was Cork's immediate reply but then the Cork defence conceded a third goal when Brendan Cummins, grabbed a great solo score.

In the closing 10 minutes Cork again piled on the pressure and notched up four points without reply before substitute Don Davis finished the scoring with Cork's fourth goal in the last minute.