Barry Walsh and Barry O'Flynn hit net as Cork U20 hurlers defeat Wexford

Cork 2-21 Wexford 0-18 

Noel Furlong’s Cork U20 hurling team comfortably saw off Wexford’s U20s in their challenge match played as the curtain raiser to Cork v Tipperary in the Division 1A Hurling League.

It was a good runout for the Cork U20s, five of last year’s minors featured alongside 10 of last season’s U20s. Barrys Walsh and O’Flynn dispatched the two Cork goals – one in each half. Wexford had stuck close with Cork up until the goal, though had never managed to lead or draw level.

The first green flag came from a free, as Finn O’Brien was brought down just outside the penalty area, and Barry Walsh drove his free low to the net to leave it 1-12 to 0-10 with 28 minutes played.

The second major would not arrive until the 48th minute – at that stage Cork were already six clear – but Finn O’Brien and O’Flynn forced a turnover on Corey Ryan and O’Brien set up captain O’Flynn for the close-range finish.

Substitute Craig O’Sullivan announced his arrival at this level with a wonderful effort out wide before tagging on a free that left Cork 2-20 to 0-15 in the clear. Charlie Roark, one of Wexford’s best performers from last season, came off the bench to get just their fourth score of the latter half, but Ballinhassig’s Eoghan O’Shea, another one of last year’s minors, added his name to the scoresheet.

Wexford would land the last two points in the closing minutes, but by that stage the result had long been decided.

Two of the five from last year’s minors – Michael Tadhg Brosnan and Darragh Heavin – were handed starts, and the Glen Rovers man put in an impressive shift chipping in with 0-2 from wing-back. He almost even broke through for a goal in the 34th minute, set up by Finn O’Brien who was hugely influential up front, but Wexford keeper Paddy Quigley made a superb stop. 

At that stage, Cork were already four in front, and an effort from Johnny Murphy and a couple of Barry Walsh frees ensured they remained in control until O’Flynn’s goal sealed it.

Scorers for Cork: Barry Walsh 1-7 f, B O’Flynn 1-0, M Barrett, MT Brosnan, J O’Brien, C O’Sullivan (0-1 f) 0-2 each, John Murphy, D O’Leary, F O’Brien, R Dooley, Johnny Murphy, E O’Shea 0-1 each.

Wexford: D Ryan 0-11 (0-10 f), T Dempsey 0-2, P Quigley (f), C Roark, R Shannon, R Doran, C Mernagh 0-1 each. 

CORK: O Walsh (Youghal), R O’Riordan (Blackrock), C O’Callaghan (Dungourney), D Heavin (Russell Rovers); D O’Leary (Ballincollig), John Murphy (Mallow), MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers); M Barrett (Carrigtwohill), James O’Brien (Cloyne); Johnny Murphy (Dromina), B O’Flynn (Sarsfields, c), Jack O’Brien (Douglas); Barry Walsh (Killeagh), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own), R Dooley (Douglas).

Subs: J Galvin (Ére Óg) for O’Callaghan, D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers) for O’Riordan (both h-t), C Noonan (Kanturk) for Barrett (40), C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for Barry Walsh, E O’Shea (Ballinhassig) for R Dooley (both 44), J Murray (St Finbarr’s) for James O’Brien (48), P Barrett (Midleton) for O’Flynn (52), D Wall (Glen Rovers) for Jack O’Brien (54). 

WEXFORD: P Quigley; C Ryan, N Furlong, T Doyle; J Roche, C Doyle (c), C Ellard; R Donohue, D Daly O’Toole; T Dempsey, C Carley, R Shannon; C Fanning, R Doran, D Ryan.

Subs: S O’Brien for Daly O’Toole, J Nolan for Fanning (both h-t), J Young for T Doyle (36), C Roark for Roche (40), B Redmond for Dempsey (44), S Hyland for Doran (48), P Doyle for Carley (49).

Referee: N Fahy (Brian Dillons, Cork)