Cork U20 Hurling: Three things we learned from brilliant comeback against Clare

Sat, 18 May, 2024 - 11:37

Eamonn Murphy

THE CORK hurlers face Tipperary in the Munster final next Friday night, with the winner going forward to the All-Ireland against Leinster champions Offaly or Dublin.

Ben O'Connor's charges were 1-23 to 2-16 victors in the provincial semi-final at Cusack, squeezing through despite going three points down with time running out. It means holders Cork are still in the hunt for a fourth U20 All-Ireland in five seasons, as they'll appear in their seventh Munster decider at U20/U21 in eight campaigns going back to 2016, with four wins and three losses in that period.

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

Here's how they did it last Friday in Ennis.

WINNING MENTALITY:

Up 0-17 to 0-11 entering the fourth quarter, and despite missing a few goal chances, Cork were in pole position. Referee Kevin Jordan was letting some fierce hits go in on both sides, which made for a gripping spectacle. Given Cork had more on-the-age hurlers and greater experience after landing last year's All-Ireland, you expected them to negotiate the closing stages.

There's a reason Clare are a tricky proposition on their own turf though and roared on by the home crowd after Diarmuid Stritch raised the first green flag, it was finely poised at 0-18 to 1-12 with 10 minutes remaining.

The Banner completely seized the initiative then, getting enough of a grip around the breaks to deservedly grab a second goal through Stritch to move 2-15 to 0-18 in front by the 56th minute.

Cork looked to be heading out of the championship but they kept contesting every sliotar and more importantly, held their nerve. High drama followed.

Subs Adam O'Sullivan, from play, and Ross O'Sullivan, earning a free, trimmed the gap to a point. Adam O'Sullivan went on a Shane Kingston-esque run from deep and combined with another sub Barry O'Flynn for the critical green flag. On the puck-out, sharpshooter William Buckley landed a monster point.

Keeper Paudie O'Sullivan then made a vital save before Buckley clipped another point gem from the wing to seal a stunning victory.

Manager Ben O'Connor didn't hide his emotion afterwards, racing onto the pitch the embrace his players.

It was a special on a few levels. Questions were asked about Cork's running style and the depth of their squad after a heavy loss to Tipp in the last group game and they answered them.

Their collective character was to the fore and their subs had maximum impact.

ADAPTABLITY:

Cork had been beaten in every sector of the pitch two weeks earlier at Semple Stadium. The heavy loss not only cost them a direct place in the provincial final, but home advantage in Friday's semi due to the damage inflicted to their scoring difference.

They sprung a surprise with the team selection by calling up Newmarket's Hugh O'Connor, the U20 football captain who hadn't hurled for Cork since development squad level, to start at wing-forward.

With more physicality up front, they went longer on their puck-outs and O'Connor scored a point, hurled the world of ball and won possession for the goal. Diarmuid Healy used his aerial prowess and speed tellingly on the other flank.

At the back, Cillian Tobin was moved to number six instead of Oran O'Regan and was terrific under high deliveries.

Shane Woods of Clare is tackled by Cillian Tobin of Cork at Cusack Park. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The likes of Buckley, captain Darragh O'Sullivan and Ben Walsh still carried at pace but there was a better balance to the team and their tactics.

O'CONNOR'S BIG CALLS:

Ben O'Connor and his selectors tweaked their approach and were brave enough to not only promote Hugh O'Connor to the panel but straight into the team.

On Friday night at Cusack Park, they also made some gutsy moves in the second half.

James Dwyer, excellent to date in this campaign, came off for Oran O'Regan to add fresh legs across the half-backs while Adam O'Sullivan, often used in a two-man full-forward line, went into midfield for Mikey Finn. Even bolder, topscorer Jack Leahy was replaced by Sars' Barry O'Flynn, fresh out of minor, and he pilfered the winning goal.

As always, Timmy Wilk and Ross O'Sullivan were full of class off the bench.

What was most encouraging for the management was the way some of the lesser lights put their hands up. Denis Cashman was tenacious in the tackle and strong in possession at corner-back while the Walsh cousins, Ben and Barry, both still club minors, didn't back down for a second.

SCORERS:

Jack Leahy 1-44 (0-34 f);

William Buckley 0-25 (0-6 f, 0-1 65);

Diarmuid Healy 0-12;

Barry Walsh 1-3;

James Dwyer 0-5;

Mikey Finn 0-4 (0-1 f);

Ross O'Sullivan 1-1;

Adam O'Sullivan 0-3;

Eoin O'Leary 0-3;

Barry O'Flynn 1-0;

Tadhg O'Connell 0-2;