Munster U20HC: Cork come good at the death to see off Limerick
Limerick v Cork, Munster U20 Hurling Championship
Cork U20s had to show their resolve as they edged past Limerick at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Wednesday’s oneills.com Munster U20HC clash.
A crowd of 1,692 saw Cork sub Finn O’Brien land a point with his first touch in 44th minute, putting the Rebels ahead by 1-16 to 1-12, more or less keeping pace with Limerick since half-time, but that precipitated a 12-minute period during which they scored just once.
In between, Limerick moved up a gear. Led from the back by John Murray and Seán Casey, they ate in the advantage score by score. While another Cork sub, Mark O’Brien, did interrupt the flow slightly to make it 1-17 to 1-14, Fintan Fitzgerald replied with a fine Limerick point and then set up Hugh Flanagan to leave a point in it.
Robert O’Farrell levelled with his third of the night before Limerick’s Mark O’Brien looked to have been off-target with a long-range effort.
Following consultation with the umpires, referee Nicky Barry awarded the point. Barry Walsh levelled for Cork with his tenth but a boomer from wing-back Darragh Langan had Limerick back in front.
They were to score just once more, though, with Cork goalscorer Timmy Wilk floating a sideline cut over and Walsh putting them back in front with a free from his own 65.
Sub Adam O’Sullivan – injured in Cork’s opening two games – gave them breathing space, needed as Limerick replacement Darren Frewen pointed, before Barry Walsh made sure of the win.
It means that a Cork win at home to the eliminated Waterford next week will guarantee them a provincial semi-final spot and they certainly can’t be accused of not having their mettle tested as they fell behind to a first-minute Limerick goal and trailed by four points after eight minutes.
The goal came after a surging run by O’Farrell – threatening throughout – in along the endline. While his ball across was cut out by goalkeeper Daniel O’Connell, it allowed Fintan Fitzgerald a half-chance and, though that was blocked, Donal Coughlan was on hand to prod the loose ball home.
Coughlan might have even got in for another opportunity in the sixth minute, fouled for a free converted by Mark O’Brien to make it 1-2 to 0-2 before Dara Ferland added another for the hosts.
Their shooting was too erratic, though, and Cork’s reconfigured half-back line and midfield began to get on top while Barry Walsh was impeccable from placed balls. Just after a good Daniel O’Connell save from Coughlan, Walsh’s fifth of the night left it 1-4 to 0-6 and while Matthew Fitzgerald replied for Limerick, Cork were harnessing momentum.
Barry Walsh set up Ross O’Sullivan for a nice score before the goal, which saw Peter O’Shea, Ryan Deasy and Ben Walsh link to get the ball to Wilk, who charged forward and drilled a low shot to the net.
Barrys O’Flynn and Walsh added points as Cork moved four clear and, while O’Farrell did have a pair of nice Limerick scores in what remained of the first half, the visitors were good value for a 1-13 to 1-8 interval advantage.
They were ahead at the finish too, but not without a test.
M O’Brien 0-5 (0-4 f), R O’Farrell, F Fitzgerald 0-3 each, D Coughlan 1-0, D Ferland 0-2, J Cosgrove, D Langan, M Fitzgerald, J Finn, H Flanagan, S Duff, D Frewen 0-1 each.
Barry Walsh 0-12 (0-10 f), T Wilk 1-2 (0-1 sideline), B O’Flynn 0-2, P O’Shea, R O’Sullivan, M O’Brien, F O’Brien, A O’Sullivan, D O’Connell (0-1 f) 0-1 each.
F O’Brien; J Murray, D Scully, S Casey; J Cosgrove, A O’Connell, D Langan; M Fitzgerald, J Finn; D Coughlan, D Ferland, H Flanagan; F Fitzgerald, R O’Farrell, M O’Brien.
S Duff for Coughlan (36), D Hurley for Fitzgerald (41), B Adams for Ferland (45), J Frewen for Finn (52).
D O’Connell (Dromina); D O’Leary (Ballincollig), J O’Brien (Fermoy), D Cashman (Bride Rovers); E Guinane (Valley Rovers), D Murnane (Carrigtwohill), T Wilk (Cobh); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), P O’Shea (Erin’s Own); John Murphy (Mallow), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), R Deasy (Ballymartle); B O’Flynn (Erin’s Own), R O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), J Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr’s).
A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for J O’Brien (36), M O’Brien (Douglas) for Wigginton Barrett (40), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own) for R O’Sullivan (41), Johnnie Murphy (Dromina) for O’Shea (51), D McCarthy (Killeagh) for John Murphy (57).
N Barry (Waterford).
App?
