Cork U20 hurlers: Walsh double against Waterford helps secure semi final spot for Rebels

Cork 3-21

Waterford 0-18

Cork are through to the oneills.com Munster U20 HC semi-final after their win over Waterford at Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Wednesday night.

A first half goal from Barry Walsh, along with second half ones from Walsh and Johnnie Murphy saw the Rebels run out comfortable winners.

Cork missed two early chances to go in front before Waterford created their first opening.

Jack Twomey took on the Cork defence but his effort on goal was well blocked by Eoin Guinane.

The Rebels went in front after three minutes when Finn O’Brien scored and a minute later Ben Walsh added a second from a sideline.

Tom Carey replied from a free for Waterford, with Barry Walsh making it 0-3 to 0-1, when he also pointed from a free.

Jack Twomey responded for Waterford before Barry Walsh scored a goal. He brushed aside the challenge of several Deise defenders to give Alex Reade no chance of saving, to see Cork lead by 1-3 to 0-2 after fifteen minutes.

Waterford had a second goal chance, this time Daniel O’Connell denying Ben O’Sullivan, with a superb save.

Carey reduced the gap with two frees, before Ross O’Sullivan replied for Cork. Both sides were guilty of missing chances of increasing their tally before Twomey was on target again for Waterford.

Ryan Deasy and Barry Walsh pointed for Cork, with Carey and Evan Spellman replying for the visitors.

But Cork finished the half strongly with points from John Murphy, Barry O’Flynn and O’Sullivan to lead by 1-10 to 0-9 at half time.

Waterford had another goal chance at the start of the second half when Conor Tobin went through but he went for a point and put the ball wide.

O’Brien added to Cork’s tally, with Carey replying from a free for Waterford. Twomey scored for the visitors, with Barry Walsh replying for Cork, to make it 1-12 to 0-11 after 35 minutes.

Another Carey free kept Waterford in the hunt, with O’Brien replying for Cork.

With 39 minutes gone Cork took a firm grip on the game when Johnnie Murphy, just on as a sub, scored their second goal.

His first attempt was saved by Reade but he followed up to make sure, as Cork now led by 2-13 to 0-12.

Keeper Daniel O’Connell scored from well inside his own half to push Cork further in front as by now they had one foot well and truly in the semi-final.

Any chance of a Waterford win were gone after 46 minutes when Barry Walsh was fouled by Sean Mackey and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Cork a penalty.

Walsh coolly slotted home, finding the corner of the net and with it went Waterford’s chances of winning.

Carey pointed two frees and with nine minutes left it was 3-15 to 0-15 in Cork’s favour.

Adam O’Sullivan was among Cork’s late scorers as they ran out deserving winners and now face Clare in a home semi-final next Wednesday night.

Scorers for Cork: Barry Walsh 2-4 (1-0 pen, 4f), Johnnie Murphy 1-0, F O’Brien, A O’Sullivan 0-3 each, R O’Sullivan, R Deasy, B O’Flynn, 0-2 each, Ben Walsh (sl), John Murphy, D O’Connell (f), J Wiggington Barrett, O Fitzgerald 0-1 each.

Waterford: T Carey 0-9 (9), J Twomey 0-3, M Hartley 0-2, E Spellman, B O’Sullivan, M Morrissey, P Cummins 0-1 each.

CORK: D O’Connell (Dromina); D Cashman (Bride Rovers), J O’Brien (Fermoy), D O’Leary (Ballincollig); 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), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own).

Subs: A O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for R O’Sullivan (ht inj), Johnnie Murphy (Dromina) for D Murnane (37), J Wigginton Barrett (St Finbarr’s) for P O’Shea (41), M O’Brien (Douglas) for F O’Brien (54), O Fitzgerald (St Catherine’s) for B O’Flynn (57).

WATERFORD: A Reade; D Lalor, B O’Connell, C Keane; S Mackey, A O’Neill, C Ryan; J O’Keeffe, E Spellman; T Carey, M Hartley, J Twomey; C Tobin, P Walsh, B O’Sullivan.

Subs: J McDonnell for C Keane (15), P Cummins for J O’Keeffe, M Morrissey for P Walsh (both 41), C O’Sullivan for A O’Neill (46), S Fleming for E Spellman (48).

Referee: Alan Tierney, Tipperary.