Bench press sees Cork minor hurlers beat Wexford in lively challenge match

Cork 1-19 Wexford 2-13 

Subs proved to be the difference as the Cork minors edged out Wexford in an entertaining challenge match at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A late scoring burst from Sam McCarthy, Hugo Raftery, and Bobby Power got Noel Furlong’s side over the line after the visitors fought back to go in front for the first time with a 50th-minute goal from Joey Tobin.

The Rebels had been dominant all evening up until then. At the break, they'd a five-point cushion that would have been more if not for eight wides.

There was an element of luck involved as Wexford saw a goal ruled out for a square ball in the 10th minute after Tobin collected a pass from Robbie Kehoe and slotted in at the City End.

The Rebels stretched their advantage through efforts from Tadhg McCarthy, Stephen McHugh and Cormac Murphy.

There were only two goal chances during this period, falling to Sam Ring and Murphy, and neither was able to find the back of the net.

Donal Mulcahy's side were comfortably in front by five at the break. McHugh added another within seconds of the restart before Ring converted a free as the scoreboard read 0-12 to 0-5 in the 35th minute.

Everything was going Cork’s way, just as the stands started to fill up. Tom Huggins was even able to get a goal to push the gap to 1-13 to 0-8 in the 45th minute. Then came a quick 1-2 with Eohghan Kehoe raising the green flag for Wexford and Cork’s lead was cut down to a point.

Wexford rallied and managed to create another opportunity around the square. Tobin was on hand to poke this in and suddenly they led in the 50th minute, a position many thought unthinkable as the game wore on.

The Rebels took a moment to reset before drawing level with a Huggins free. Tobin’s last score was Wexford’s last of the day as Cork went on to hit four without any sort of reply in the closing minutes.

Cormac Murphy nabbed his third point from play before the three subs chipped in to come out on the right side of an engaging challenge match.

Scorers for Cork: T Huggins 1-4 (0-1 f), C Murphy, T McCarthy, S McHugh 0-3 each, D Nolan, T Murphy, S Ring (f), H Raftery, S McCarthy, B Power 0-1 each.

Wexford: J Tobin 1-6 (0-4 f), E Kehoe 1-0, J Furlong, R Walsh 0-2, O Caulfield, J Cullen, B Murray 0-1 each.

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), H O’Donovan (Kilmeen-Kilbree), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); F Cahill (Midleton), C Stack (Blackrock), D Nolan (Erin’s Own); T Murphy (Cloughduv), C Barry (Bride Rovers); L O’Regan (St. Finbarr’s), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum), T Huggins (Sarsfields); C Murphy (Ballinora), T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: H Raftery (Liscarroll Churchtown) for T Murphy (44), C Roynane (Dungourney) for Ring (44), S McCarthy (Castlelyons) for O’Regan (47), B Power (Ballincollig) for T McCarthy (49), P Heavey (Passage West) for Batterberry (51).

WEXFORD: M Butler; P O’Neill, A Sludds Murphy, E Byrne; R Walsh, J Downey, C Doyle; R Kehoe, J Furling; B Murray, S Kavanagh, J Cullen; J Tobin, O Caulfield, E Kehoe.

Subs: C Whelan for Cullen (HT); K Whelan for Kavanagh (41), B Kennedy for Kehoe (41), S Doyle for Furlong (42), C Ennis for Byrne (42), L Carty for Doyle (47).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown)