Lisgoold seal IAHC semi spot by sweeping past Youghal

Lisgoold 2-24 Youghal 2-13

A physically stronger and better-equipped Lisgoold side were too good for Youghal in the last Co Op Superstores IAHC group game at Aghavine on Saturday.

As a consequence, Lisgoold, who had a spread of scorers and impressive displays in every line, remain unbeaten and go straight to the semi-finals, while Youghal's season is over.

Youghal opened the scoring with an Oisin Hill goal in the first minute but Lisgoold quickly got on top. Cork U20 Diarmuid Healy landed a point and their half-backs were very solid. 

Both midfielders and all six forwards figured on the scoresheet across the game and it took a great Richie Cunningham save to deny Liam O'Shea a goal before Cathal Hickey raised a green flag in the 18th minute: 1-7 to 1-2. 

Mark Hegarty, Isaac Walsh, John Casham and Kieran Cashman followed up with points, with James Murray responding with Youghal frees. James O'Driscoll and Devon O'Donoghue exchanged scores but it was 1-13 to 1-5 at half time.

O'Shea and Bill Cooper pointed at either end and Cunningham prevented an O'Driscoll goal for Lisgoold. Luke Walsh and O'Shea stretched the lead but four points in succession for Youghal Murray (3) and Devon O'Donoghue cut the gap to six. 

Another Oisin Hill goal followed by an O'Donoghue free left it at 1-17 to 2-11. 

A flurry of late Lisgoold points were followed by an injury-time Isaac Walsh goal as the winners had 11 points to spare. On this display, Lisgoold, RedFM Division 4 League champions, will take some stopping.

Scorers for Lisgoold: L O'Shea 0-6 (0-4 f), I Walsh 1-2, C Hickey 1-1, M Hegarty, J Cashman 0-4 each, D Healy 0-3, J O'Driscoll 0-2, L Walsh, K Cashman 0-1.

Youghal: J Murray 0-7 (0-6 f), O Hill 2-0, D O'Donoghue 0-3 (0-2 f), S Smiddy, B Cooper, J O'Mahony 0-1 each. 

LISGOOLD: Ciaran Cronin; J Hegarty, Cathal Cashman, C Scannell; K Cashman, C Healy, J Cronin; M Hegarty, D Healy; L Walsh, L O'Shea (c), C Hickey; I Walsh, J Cashman, J O'Driscoll. 

Subs: C Walsh for C Scannell (temp), T Savage for S Smiddy (temp), T Savage for L Walsh, C Hallahan for J O'Driscoll.

YOUGHAL: R Cunningham; I Hehir, J Ormonde, O Terry-Foley; C Spillane, C Geary, M Breathnach; N Roche, O Hill; J O'Mahony B Cooper, J Murray; D O'Donoghue, C O'Mahony, S Smiddy. 

Subs: B Moloney for C O'Mahony, J Cooper for I Hehir.

Referee: Ciaran O'Regan (Ballyhea).