All-Ireland MHC: Cork fall to Clare in semi-final

Clare 0-27 

Cork 1-22 

Cork’s dreams of All-Ireland minor glory came to an end as they fell to defeat against Clare in Sunday’s semi-final at FBD Semple Stadium.

Playing their first game in 30 days since beating Waterford in the Munster final at the same venue, Cork found themselves unable to ever get free of durable opponents who were benefiting from wins over Dublin and Galway since the provincial championship.

Two points behind at half-time, Cork looked to have got on top as frees from Craig O’Sullivan helped them to push 1-16 to 0-18 in front by the 41st minute and while Paul Rodgers replied for Clare with his ninth point, Cormac Deane set up sub Jack Counihan to score with his first touch.

Unfortunately for Cork, that 1-17 to 0-19 scoreline was the last time they led.

Outstanding Clare centre-back Dara Kennedy was to the fore as they reeled off three straight points to go 0-22 to 1-17 ahead. Though Colm Garde made a couple of big plays leading to frees that O’Sullivan converted to level, Clare’s relentless workrate never ceased.

On 52, when they trailed by 0-23 to 1-19, Cork might have had a goal as Darragh Heavin’s delivery was batted away by goalkeeper Leon Talty but the onrushing Callum Coffey couldn’t get his shot on target.

An excellent Ian O’Brien point and more Rodgers frees pushed Clare further in front as the neared. A fine long-range point from wing-back Michael T Brosnan – his third – was followed by Heavin doing well to set up Eoghan O’Shea for his fifth, giving Cork hope of an equaliser in injury time.

They could not find it, though, and when Clare won a free, Rodgers’ 13th point of the day secured their passage to the final against Waterford.

Clare had led for almost all of the first half, making use of the breeze at their backs, but while Cork betrayed some signs of the four-week lay-off, there were also signs of the attacking threat they possessed.

Early on, Seán Coughlan had turned over a Clare puckout and fed Cormac Deane, whose driving run was only ended after good Kennedy defending, but in the fifth minute Clare were unable to stop the Killeagh man.

Having produced a lovely touch to divert a dropping ball to Ruairc Donovan, Deane then took the return and did brilliantly to create space before firing past Leon Talty.

That put Cork 1-1to 0-3 in front but it was the only time they led in the opening period. Paul Rodgers excelled in the Clare attack, and three in a row from him had them 0-8 to 1-2 in front by the 15th minute.

Deane went close to another goal – Talty saved well – but he had been fouled in the lead-up and Craig O’Sullivan’s pointed free was followed by a good win by Colm Garde on the puckout, allowing Eoghan O’Shea to sling over a score.

A fine effort from Ryan Dineen had Cork level, 1-6 to 0-9, by the 20th minute but Clare had four of the next five points, Rodgers with a superb sideline cut. While O’Shea and Sam Ring – following a great catch – had nice points in the closing stages, Cork went in trailing by two, 0-15 to 1-10.

Scorers for Clare: P Rodgers 0-13 (0-9 f, 0-1 sl), I O’Brien, B Talty 0-3 each, L Murphy, R Ralph 0-2 each, D Kennedy, E Cleary, J O’Donnell, J Barry 0-1 each.

Cork: C O’Sullivan 0-8 (0-6 f), E O’Shea 0-5, C Deane 1-2, MT Brosnan 0-3 (0-1 f), S Ring 0-2, R Dineen, J Counihan 0-1 each.

CLARE: L Talty; N Doyle, J O’Halloran, Z Phelan; E Crimmins, D Kennedy, C Daly; G Ball, E Cleary; J O’Donnell, R Ralph, I O’Brien; P Rodgers, L Murphy, B Talty.

Subs: E O’Connor for B Talty (9-13), J Barry for Ralph (36), E O’Connor for B Talty (51), G Marshall for O’Donnell (58).

CORK: Tom C Walsh; D Heavin, D Fitzgerald, C Lawton; MT Brosnan, B Carroll, C Garde; Tom A Walsh, R Dineen; C O’Sullivan, C Deane, R Donovan; S Ring, E O’Shea, S Coughlan.

Subs: J Counihan for Coughlan (43), C Coffey for Dineen (52), A Dunlea for Tom A Walsh (60).

Referee: C Doyle (Tipperary).