Munster MHC: Cork minors pick up first points with win over Limerick

Cork 1-16

Limerick 1-10

Cork are off the mark in the Electric Ireland Munster MHC after victory over Limerick at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday night.

John Meyler’s Rebels had six points to spare in the end, but they were asked questions as Limerick, who trailed by seven with 12 minutes of normal time left but managed to get back to within two.

After a Patrick Kearney free and a well-taken Diarmuid Hurley point, the Treatymen won a penalty when Danny Sheehan was adjudged to have been fouled under a dropping delivery from Jack Cosgrave.

Midfielder Cosgrave, good from dead balls all night, slotted the penalty past Josh Goulding to leave it 0-15 to 1-10, but Cork didn’t panic. 

They might have had a penalty of their own as the impressive Jack Hegarty looked to have been dragged down after a surging run but, though the appeals were waved away, Mark O’Brien’s seventh point gave them breathing space and the outcome was assured as Michael Tadhg Brosnan linked with sub Peter Barrett to set up Adam Lee. Though Limerick goalkeeper Cathal Dennehy was unlucky not to cut out the pass, Lee was able to double to the net and that was how it finished.

Cork, beaten by Tipperary in their opener, now have a two-week break before their next match, away to Waterford, who lost by five against Tipp on Thursday night.

While Cork had the wind in the first half, Limerick exerted the early pressure but both sides were jittery. Though the visitors had the lead through Malachy McKenna, it was the only time they were in front.

Cork settled and Brosnan – operating in a roving commission from his corner-forward starting point – levelled with a fine effort before wing-backs Kevin Beechinor and John Murphy landed long-range points.

Brosnan might have had a goal following a lovely pass from Mark O’Brien but Cathal Dennehy saved, however O’Brien put the 65 over for a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. Though Hurley replied with a good Limerick point, Cork were working hard, especially in defending from the front. Bronsan set up O’Brien before a flowing move involved Cian Denis O’Connor and Adam Lee ended with a Luke Murphy score, 0-6 to 0-2 after 11 minutes.

O’Connor, who played at full-back in the opener against Tipperary last week, was afforded more freedom at corner-back as Limerick played with two inside. This was shown with a number of well-directed deliveries and, after an O’Brien free extended the lead, O’Connor forced a turnover high up the field and slotted over.

Patrick Kearney’s good catch and point interrupted Cork’s scoring but not the flow of the game and Joe Twohig set up Leo Hennessy for a nice point before O’Brien’s free left it 0-10 to 0-3 with seven minutes left until half-time.

They were only to score once more before the break, Hennessy with another, while Limerick gained a foothold. The relocation of full-forward Hurley helped and three frees from Jack Cosgrave brought them to within five points at the break.

With the sides cancelling each other out on the resumption, it took until the 38th minute for the scoreboard to be altered – another Cosgrave free – but Cork responded well.

Adam Lee slung over an excellent point and O’Brien added free with half-time sub Barrett opening up a seven-point advantage. That would be their biggest advantage but, while Limerick whittled it down, Cork pushed on again.

Scorers for Cork: M O’Brien 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 65), A Lee 1-1, L Hennessy 0-2, K Beechinor, J Murphy, CD O’Connor, MT Brosnan, P Barrett, L Murphy 0-1 each.

Limerick: J Cosgrave 1-4 (1-0 penalty, 0-4f), D Hurley, P Kearney (0-1f) 0-2 each, D Sheehan, M McKenna 0-1 each.

CORK: J Goulding (Glen Rovers); CD O’Connor (Millstreet), R O’Riordan (Blackrock), L Kelleher (Douglas); K Beechinor (Éire Óg), C Noonan (Kanturk), J Murphy (Mallow); O O’Connell (Carrigaline), J Hegarty (Ballinora); L Hennessy (Ballymartle), M O’Brien (Douglas), L Murphy (Barryroe); A Lee (Cloyne), J Twohig (Valley Rovers), MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers).

Subs: P Barrett (Midleton) for Twohig (half-time), C Deane (Killeagh) for Hennessy (46), D Cosgrave (Courcey Rovers) for O’Connell (53), F Lardner (Fermoy) for Brosnan , C O'Donoghue (St Finbarr's) for Lee (both 60).

LIMERICK: C Dennehy; D Blackwell, D Dennehy, C Ryan; E Brosnan, G Dorgan, G Enright; L O’Connor, J Cosgrave; P Cagney, E Maher, P Kearney; D Sheehan, D Hurley, M McKenna.

Subs: P Murphy for Enright (half-time), T Cusack for O’Connor (41), R Hanley for Brosnan, J Fitzgerald for Hurley (both 60).

Referee: J Bugler (Clare).