Munster U20HC: Cork beaten in semi-final as Clare finish well

Clare 3-20

Cork 2-17

Cork’s Fulfil Munster U20HC campaign came to an end Clare finished well to take victory in Wednesday’s semi-final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Seven nights previously, Cork had scored four and conceded two in defeating the Banner to finish second in the group, securing a home semi-final against their opponents, who came third.

Before a crowd of 2,578 at the same venue, the visitors had the stronger goal threat and their return of two green flags as they led by 2-9 to 0-11 at half-time was probably below par.

To Cork’s credit, they battled back well in the second half and led by 2-17 to 2-14 when Barry O’Flynn netted in the 50th minute. However, it proved to be the home side’s last score as their opponents went into overdrive.

Clare had an immediate response to the goal as Marco Cleary got his second of the game to tie matters again before sub Harry Doherty and Ronan Kilroy put them back in front.

The cushion was three when Fred Hegarty landed a huge free – O’Flynn did threaten to wipe it out as he drew a save from Mark Sheedy but in injury time Hegarty added three more points to bring his personal tally to 0-8 and send Terence Fahy’s side into next Wednesday’s final against Tipperary.

In the first half, Cork had led by 0-5 to 0-3 thanks to a burst from Finn O’Brien, Darragh Heavin and Johnny Murphy but Clare levelled through Ronan Keane and Fred Hegarty before a flurry of goal chances arrived for the visitors.

Matthew Barrett did well to deny Paul Rodgers, then Thomas O’Connor’s good catch allow him sight of goal; he was crowded out and Marco Cleary shot wide. Moments later, Oisín Walsh was quick off his line to deny O’Connor.

While Barry O’Flynn put Cork ahead, Clare continued to threaten as Rodgers had a chance saved by Walsh but, after Daniel Costello levelled, the goal finally came. Rodgers was the scorer, alive to the potential when James Hegarty’s broke.

Though the industrious Zack Biggane replied with a Cork point, Clare had pushed 1-9 to 0-8 in front when they struck again, Fred Hegarty’s delivery the set-up for Cleary to arrow a shot to the net.

Seven down, Cork clawed their way back somewhat before the break as O’Flynn scored one and set up Conor Noonan for another while James O’Brien – introduced as a sub for another replacement, Craig O’Sullivan, who was given just ten minutes – reacted well to point when Barry Walsh had had an effort from a free repelled.

Despite that good finish to the half from Cork, Clare initially retained the impetus on the resumption but Cork regained a foothold. A good turnover from Barry Walsh gave them possession close to goal and while O’Flynn was being fouled, he got a pass away to Johnny Murphy, who blasteed past Sheedy.

That left it 2-12 to 1-12 and two from James O’Brien, one a free, tied the game again.

The middle period of the half saw the sides match each other point for point before O’Flynn’s goal looked like it might a momentum-shifter.

Clare ensured that it was not and then they powered on impressively.

Scorers for Clare: F Hegarty 0-8 (0-6 f), M Cleary 2-0, T O’Connor, R Kilroy 0-3 each, P Rodgers 1-0, D Costello 0-2, R Keane, M Collins, R Hayes, H Doherty 0-1 each.

Cork: B O’Flynn 1-3, Johnny Murphy 1-2, James O’Brien 0-4 (0-1 f), Z Biggane, Barry Walsh (0-1 f) 0-2 each, D Heavin, C Noonan, F O’Brien, J Counihan 0-1 each.

CLARE: M Sheedy; J Casey, R Loftus, E Gunning; R Hayes, M O’Halloran, J Hegarty; D Costello, R Keane; F Hegarty, M Collins, R Kilroy; P Rodgers, T O’Connor, M Cleary.

Subs: G Ball for Casey (28, injured), H Doherty for Collins (43), S Arthur for Rodgers (45), S Boyce for Ball (49-50), D Neville for Kilroy (60+2), S Boyce for Cleary (60+4).

CORK: O Walsh (Youghal); D Heavin (Russell Rovers), M Barrett (Carrigtwohill), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), C Garde (Lisgoold), D O’Leary (Ballincollig); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), C Noonan (Kanturk); John Murphy (Mallow), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), Z Biggane (Charleville); B O’Flynn (Sarsfields), Johnny Murphy (Dromina), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own).

Subs: C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for F O’Brien (16, injured), James O’Brien (Cloyne) for O’Sullivan (26), J Counihan (Watergrasshill) for Fitzgerald (half-time), J O’Brien (Douglas) for John Murphy (49), M O’Brien (Douglas) for Biggane (57).

Referee: A Tierney (Tipperary).