When a Pat Hartnett shot was parried by goalkeeper John Sheedy, O'Sullivan reacted instinctively to fire to the net and leave the sides level. As the tension became almost unbearable, Tipperary lost possession from an advantageous attacking position. O'Sullivan's point attempt was batted away by Sheedy and goal-poacher Seánie O'Leary was on hand to net. Fenton added a pointed free and Cork had won an amazing game by 4-15 to 3-14. In 1987 Cork were the reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions and had ended any chances of a Tipperary hurling revival in both 1984 and 1985. Because of this Cork were installed as favourites to win a record-breaking six consecutive Munster title, however, Tipperary led by 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time. A second-half goal by Nicky English, which he controlled the sliotar with his foot having dropped his hurley and calmly sidefooted it into the net, put Tipp ahead by seven points. A string of points brought Cork back into the game, and three minutes from time a Kieran Kingston goal gave them a two-point lead. Tipperary rallied and two pointed frees from Pat Fox levelled the game at 1-18 apiece. In spite of surviving a scare in Thurles, Cork were still regarded as the favourites for the replay. The team scored five unanswered points in the first ten minutes, while a Nicky English goal was cancelled out by a Tomás Mulcahy effort. Cork had a n interval lead of 1-10 to 1-5. Tipperary were inspired after the restart and came back into contention with a succession of points. A Pat Fox point brought the two teams level, however, Cork regained the lead twice but Tipperary levelled twice. At the end of normal time both sides were again level and extra time was needed. The first period of extra-time saw Cork take a 1-21 to 1-20 lead, but Tipp edged forward with two more quick points. Michael Doyle, son of the legendary John Doyle, came on as a substitute and had the game of his life. He scored two extra-time goals to swing the momentum in Tipp's favour. Donie O'Connell bagged another goal to give Tipp an incredible 4-22 to 1-22 victory. After the highs of 1987, the 1988 installment of the Cork-Tipperary was a damp squib. Tipp led by 1-12 to 0-5 at half-time and eventually bested Cork by 2-19 to 1-13.