Jack Leahy in sharp form as Cork U20 hurlers beat Galway

Cork 2-18 Galway 1-13

THE Cork U20 hurlers continued their championship build-up at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon with a challenge match victory against Galway.

Cork have landed three of the last four U20 All-Ireland crowns and look determined to keep that run going also in 2024. This was a very useful workout in that regard.

In a game played in tough weather conditions and which preceded the Cork v Waterford league game, Ben O’Connor and his Cork U20s commenced their scoring for the afternoon courtesy of a crisply taken point by Jack Leahy. Galway, with five-time All-Star Joe Canning on board as a selector, opened the scoring through a point by Aaron Niland.

With just three minutes on the clock Cork found the back of the net, as David Cremin blasted home clinically to the corner. However, Galway responded with a goal of their own less than a minute later. Matthew Tarpey charged through with a dangerous run from the middle, before firing the ball home.

Dungourney man Leahy showed his high accuracy levels with a pair of well-taken Cork points, with Tadhg O’Connell getting a neat score from play.

The teams then exchanged points, with Niland pointing for Galway before Leahy landed a fine score from distance for the Rebels. In what was a lively opening half, Cork nearly got a second goal through Ross O’Sullivan, who was denied by a good save by Galway goalkeeper Darragh Walsh.

Leahy for Cork and Niland for Galway added to their scoring before the break, with Cork holding the advantage at 1-8 to 1-5.

Diarmuid Davoren and Niland reduced the gap for Galway down to just one point in the opening stages of the second half, before they got on level terms after 35 minutes.

That man Leahy nudged Cork back in front with a further pair of fine points: 1-11 to 1-9.

Johnny Galvin, a minor last season, then slotted over a lovely point against the wind on 45 minutes, which was added to by an Ollie McAdoo effort to see the Rebels into a four-point lead.

There was then a Cork point for Willam Buckley as the contest approached the last 10 minutes.

Cork found the back of the net for a second time before the conclusion of the hour of play. Diarmuid Healy duly dispatched the ball to the back of the net with a neat finish from close range. 

Eoin O’Leary also got another point for Cork before the full-time whistle, which overall proved a very productive outing for Ben O’Connor’s side in difficult conditions.

Cork begin the Munster U20 Championship programme on April 5 with a trip to Waterford, followed on April 12 when Clare will travel to Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In Round 3, Cork will host Limerick on April 26, before finishing their Munster Championship off with a trip to play Tipperary on May 3.

The top team goes straight to the provincial final, second and third collide in the semi.

Scorers for Cork: J Leahy 0-9 (0-5 f), D Cremin, D Healy 1-1 each, E O’Leary, J Galvin, W Buckley (0-1 f) 0-2 each, T O’Connell 0-1.   

Galway: A Niland 0-9 (0-6 f), M Tarpey 1-2, D Davoren, D Shaughnessy 0-1 each.

CORK: P O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neills); O McAdoo (Blackrock), K Lyons (Ballygarvan), D Cashman (Bride Rovers); J Dwyer (Ballincollig), O O’Regan (Erins Own), B Walsh (Killeagh); M Finn (Midleton), T O’Connell (Ballincollig); D Healy (Lisgoold), J Leahy (Dungourney), D Cremin (Midleton); R O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), E O’Leary (Glen Rovers).

Subs: J Galvin (Éire Óg) for O’Connell (h-t), J Casey (Youghal) for Leahy, B O’Flynn (Sarsfields) for O’Sullivan (both 40), J O’Brien (Fermoy) for Lyons (48), J Murray (Youghal) for Cremin, R Troy (Newtownshandrum) for Cashman (58), B Nyhan (Clyda Rovers) for Buckley, R O’Connell (Bride Rovers) for Finn (both 60).

GALWAY: D Walsh; C Lawless, D Dunne, S Murphy; J Ryan, R Burke, C Trayers; T Leen, M Tarpey; D Davoren, D Shaughnessy, O Lohan; C Whelan, J Rabbitte, A Niland.

Sub: G King for Leen (19, temp).

Referee: S Scanlon (Newcestown).