By Stephen Walsh at Páirc Uí Rinn

Cork 4-21 (33) Tipperary 2-28 (34)

Old rivals Tipperary and Cork played out a thrilling game in Páirc Uí Rinn with Tipp producing a stunning late rally to edge it by a point  and finish top of Division 1A of the Allianz Hurling League.

Cork had the better start and led 0-15 to 0-13 at the break through six accurate Patrick Horgan frees.

The home side went 12 points in front at one stage thanks to four second-half goals - two from Horgan and one each from Paudie O’Sullivan and Conor Lehane.

But Tipperary kept going and goals from Kieran Bergin and Jason Forde followed by a late point from Noel McGrath gave Tipp an astonishing comeback win.

Cork made four changes from their victory over Galway in last Sunday starting Alan Cadogan, Luke O’Farrell, Rob O’Shea and Damien Cahalane in place of Stephen Moylan, Paudie O’Sullivan, Brian Lawton and William Kearney respectively.

Tipperary also made four changes. Darragh Egan replaced the injured Darren Gleeson in goal, with Shane McGrath and Thomas Stapleton at midfield. In defence, Paddy Stapleton and Conor O’Brien replaced Michael Breen and the injured Paul Curran, while before the throw in Ronan Maher came in for Cathal Barrett.

The visitors got the opening point of the game through Ronan Maher but Cork responded through Seamus Harnedy who levelled from the puck out.

Cork hit the front after six minutes with Alan Cadogan contributing a point but Tipperary responded quickly through points from Jason Forde, who scored four in the opening half and kept Lorcan McLoughlin on his toes.

The Rebels were to make the best use of Tipperary indiscipline however, with Horgan’s frees pushing them three clear, 0-06 to 0-03.

Conor Lehane almost had a goal on 12 minutes when he intercepted a short puck out aimed at Paddy Stapleton but his shot hit the crossbar.

Anthony Nash then had to be at his best on 23 minutes to deny Brendan Maher after Niall O’Meara had played him in on goal.

Points from Horgan and Aidan Walsh followed as Cork built up a lead of 0-15 to 0-12.

On half-time Tipperary went close when Noel McGrath played in Seamus Callanan but the Drom & Inch man could only scoop it over the bar from inside the square.

Jimmy Barry Murphy's side scored two quick-fire goals after the restart. Lehane got the first before Horgan capitalised on a poor puck out to put Cork seven ahead - 2-16 to 0-15.

Further points from Cork followed and then another goal on 52 minutes when Harnedy’s shot hit the post before falling to Paudie O’Sullivan to rifle home.

Horgan then smashed home from 20 yards to put Cork four goals clear - 4-19 to 0-19 - and they looked home and dry.

Kieran Bergin scored a goal on 54 minutes to start the recovery however and Callanan scored five important frees to whittle the lead down to eight 4-21 to 1-22.

Forde raised a green flag on 60 minutes before Noel McGrath, who scored seven points from play, narrowed the gap to a single point.

Substitute Conor Kenny hit the equaliser on 68 minutes - making it 4-21 to 2-27 - before McGrath pointed from 35 metres to seal a memorable victory.

Cork: A Nash; S O’Neill, D Cahalane, S McDonnell, L McLoughlin, M Ellis, C Murphy (0-02); D Kearney (0-02), Aidan Walsh (0-01); R O’Shea (0-01), S Harnedy (0-05), C Lehane (1-0), R O’Shea (0-01), A Cadogan (0-01), L O’Farrell, P Horgan (2-8, 0-06f);

Subs: P O’Sullivan (1-00) for Cadogan (35), C O’Sullivan for Ellis (50), B Cooper for O’Farrell (53), Andy Walsh for O’Shea (60), S Moylan for Kearney (64)

Tipperary: D Egan; P Stapleton, C O’Mahony, C O’Brien, K Bergin (1-00), P Maher, R Maher (0-01); S McGrath, T Stapleton (0-01); N McGrath (0-07, 0-01f), B Maher, J Forde (1-04), J O’Dwyer (0-01, 0-01f), S Callanan (0-10, 0-05f), N O’Meara (0-03);

Subs: Patrick Maher for Brendan Maher (35), M Breen for S McGrath (35), S Bourke for O’Dwyer (35), J Woodlock for T Stapleton (55), C Kenny (0-01) for O’Meara (61)

Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath)