The overall strength of Tipperary's panel proved vital as they finally ended an 85-year wait, writes Nicky English

A FANTASTIC DAY for Tipperary and the end of that 85-year wait. Liam Sheedy had been saying he didn't think the players would be affected by the long record without a win in this fixture but the team started nervously and took a while to find their feet.

Tipperary supporters have a lot of respect for this team. They worked hard during the National League and everyone was confident they'd empty the tank for this. The only question was would it be good enough.

The opening salvo from Cork turned out to be a bit deceptive. Cathal Naughton, whose pace turned out to be the team's main threat, wasn't being marked and Tipp were jumpy and unsettled.

Cork, on the other hand, were completely at ease with Naughton running around the middle. Tipp took a chance leaving the full-back line intact but I think it was correct to let the match settle before making a move, even though the team arguably paid a price for it.

Tipperary's decision to start Séamus Callinan was well rewarded. He's a serious hurler and the difference between the two debuting centre forwards was immense. Cork's Kevin Canty put in plenty of work but didn't have the skill of his opposite number. It looks promising for Tipp that this new generation is beginning to come through.

The key to Tipp this year is their panel is strong. That sequence of games against Limerick last year meant a number of players learned a lot from tense situations. They're physically stronger and developing.

Cork's domination of much of the first half meant Tipp would have been very happy to be just a point down at half-time. Eoin Kelly's goal was absolutely vital to that. By that stage his marker Brian Murphy was completely on top and it took something special to take a goal off him.

If there's a criticism of Tipp it's that they wasted a lot of ball in the first half from far out because of some wild shooting.

That was probably inexperience but it meant they weren't playing to their strengths on the full-forward line, where Lar Corbett was well on top of Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

Another important factor was Cork's own inaccuracy: Ben O'Connor, from a free, and John Gardiner's 65, as well as other bad wides by Pa Cronin, whose return from possession won was very disappointing, amounted to a disastrous use of ball.

Early in the second half there was another succession of Cork misses and over-elaboration between players during a period when they were well in control. Even the penalty shouldn't have been awarded because it shouldn't have been necessary. A good first touch and Brendan Cummins wouldn't have had a chance to save it.

Cork played very laborious hurling, taking one pass too many often just for the sake of it. At one stage Timmy McCarthy, who I was still surprised to see being substituted, gave a pass to Ben O'Connor despite having an equally good opportunity himself.

Cork's half backs were fine but although Tipperary took off their starting wing forwards and only Callinan presented a scoring threat, they weren't the absolutely dominant unit of old.

Seán Óg had a good game but should have taken on more scores with the opportunities he had coming up the field. Instead of letting fly for scores he was dropping ball into the goal. Gardiner also missed scoring attempts and Ronan Curran had problems with Callinan.

Their two corner backs, Shane O'Neill and Brian Murphy, played well but at midfield Tom Kenny wasn't the force I expected him to be and Shane McGrath was the most impressive performer there.

Of the newcomers up front, Paudie O'Sullivan and Naughton did well but although occasionally dangerous, O'Sullivan was too often isolated. A goal and 13 points isn't enough to win a Munster championship match.

By the end they couldn't win enough hard ball and were reduced to lobbing it high into the full forwards, which was meat and drink to Paul Curran and Conor O'Mahony, who has developed into a really strong hurling centre back.

Cork emptied the bench but it didn't add much to the party, whereas Tipperary's replacements made a difference. Pat Kerwick had an impact on Gardiner and Micheál Webster, in particular, added to Diarmuid O'Sullivan's woes. Joe Deane looked sharp when he came in for Cork but it was only for a couple of minutes. It was surprising he was only the fourth sub because he didn't look that far down the pecking order. He wouldn't, for instance, have got blocked down the way Brian Corry was by O'Mahony.

Tipperary will take a lot out of this win. It might have come more easily than expected but it will be of huge benefit to the team. They had to wait a long time between league and championship but they coped with that and the work rate and cohesion were fantastic.

For Cork it will be a long road back. Yesterday's team was difficult to pick and the next one will be even more difficult.