Cork U20 hurlers strike late to lower Banner in dramatic Munster semi-final

Cork 1-23 Clare 2-16 

CORK'S defence of the oneills.com Munster and All-Ireland U20HC titles remains intact, but not without a stiff test at Cusack Park in Ennis on Friday evening.

Before a crowd of 3,072, Cork controlled much of the second half and had turned a 0-10 to 0-7 half-time lead into an 0-18 to 0-12 advantage by the 49th minute.

Then, a goal by Diarmuid Stritch, set up by Niall O’Farrell, set in train a period where Clare scored 2-3 without reply. After two points had followed the goal, Ronan O’Connor sent a ball in to Conor Whelan and, while Kevin Lyons did well to deny him, Stritch nipped in to net again.

Whelan’s sixth point put Clare three in front with four minutes of normal time left, but they were to score just one more point as Cork dug deep. Ben O’Connor’s side didn’t panic, with sub Adam O’Sullivan pointing before William Buckley got his fifth from a free.

Then came the game-changing score as Hugh O’Connor – making his debut, having been the Cork U20 football captain this year – did well to find Adam O’Sullivan, who in turn linked up with his fellow sub, Barry O’Flynn. Only just on, the Sarsfields man, a minor last year, drilled his shot to the net and Buckley sent over a point when Cork won the puckout.

Clare might have found a third goal but O’Farrell’s shot was brilliantly saved by Paudie O’Sullivan. Whelan cut the deficit to two points with a free but Buckley added two late points, giving him a final tally of nine – four of them after the 59th minute.

It all adds up to Cork taking on Tipperary in next Friday’s Munster final, seeking revenge for the 11-point defeat at Thurles a fortnight ago.

The nature of the fightback will be something they will take heart from, as well as having played well for a large chunk of the game.

With the wind in the first half, Clare had begun the brighter, but even then there was a portent of what was to come in the opening period as Conor Whelan looked to have given them the lead inside ten seconds only for the shot to be waved wide. By half-time, Terence Fahy’s team would have 11 wides registered.

Cillian Tobin excelled at centre-back and Cork’s general use of the ball was very efficient, yielding a run of four straight points to put them 0-6 to 0-3 in front.

Clare did respond through Niall O’Farrell and Jack O’Neill but their shooting malaise continued to haunt them, with the wides tally at nine by the 21st minute.

Barry Walsh ensured Cork stayed on top as he won a puckout to set up Buckley’s third and then the Killeagh man profited from good work by David Cremin to make it 0-7 to 0-3.

Again, Clare hit back with a pair of points, from Seán Rynne and O’Neill, but two Leahy frees sent Cork win with the three-point advantage.

While Clare came out to a rousing reception at the start of the second half, it was Cork who began the better. Leahy set up Diarmuid Healy for a point and then Barry Walsh set Buckley away for a goal chance – though his low shot fizzed across and wide, play was brought back for a free, which Leahy converted. Another from play b the Dungourney man had Cork six in front, 0-13 to 0-7.

Clare could never fully be shaken of, as Stritch and Whelan had points while sub Michael Collins tested Paudie O’Sullivan. Equally, though, Cork were always able to summon enough of a riposte to ensure that the lead remained healthy.

After Clare’s Ronan Kilroy forced a turnover to score a point that brought them back to within three, 0-14 to 0-11 on 43 minutes, Cork had the next three points, through Healy, sub Timmy Wilk and Buckley, while Leahy had a goal attempt blocked by James Hegarty.

The lead was 0-18 to 0-12 when good work by Cillian Tobin led to Cremin setting up Barry Walsh for his second point.

Stritch’s first goal had the effect of completely turning the game’s momentum and Cork faced some tough questions but they came up with the answers.

Scorers for Cork: W Buckley 0-9 (0-3 f), J Leahy 0-7 (0-6f), B O’Flynn 1-0, Barry Walsh, D Healy 0-2 each, A O’Sullivan, H O’Connor, T Wilk 0-1 each.

Clare: C Whelan 0-7 (0-4 f, 0-1 65), D Stritch 2-1, J O’Neill, N O’Farrell, S Rynne 0-2 each, R Kilroy, M Collins 0-1 each.

CORK: P O’Sullivan (Fr O’Neills); D Cashman (Bride Rovers), K Lyons (Ballygarvan), D O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig); J Dwyer (Ballincollig), C Tobin (Bride Rovers), Ben Walsh (Killeagh); M Finn (Midleton), T O’Connell (Ballincollig); H O’Connor (Newmarket), W Buckley (St Finbarr’s), D Healy (Lisgoold); J Leahy (Dungourney), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), D Cremin (Midleton).

Subs: T Wilk (Cobh) for O’Connell (25, injured), O O’Regan (Erin’s Own) for Dwyer (45), R O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for Cremin (48), A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for Finn (53), B O’Flynn (Sarsfields) for Leahy (57).

CLARE: M Sheedy; E Gunning, R Kane, J Cahill; S Woods, J Hegarty, J Moylan; R O’Connor, N O’Farrell; R Kilroy, S Rynne, J O’Neill; C Whelan, J Organ, D Stritch.

Subs: M Collins for Organ (half-time), S Dunford for Kilroy (56), E McMahon for O’Connor (60+1).

Referee: K Jordan (Tipperary).