Cork North lose out as goals prove decisive

Cork City 2-13 Cork North 0-11 Both Cork City and Cork North contested the All-Ireland Under 17 hurling (Corn John Scott) semi-final at Fermoy on Monday evening.

The Cork North side got off to a perfect start with early points by Stephen Minihane, Eoin Flynn, Kieran Murphy (free) and Brendan Daly. During the opening quarter Cork North defended very well with Bill Collins and Ethan Buckley in great form. Gradually the City side improved immensely and Peter Lehane had their first score in the 17th minute, with Ronan Dooley pointing a free. A foul on Stephen Minihane led to a Kieran Murphy pointed free (0-5 to 0-2). Eddie Coughlan landed a long range point for Cork City.

Then in the 21st minute Brendan Daly worked well for Kieran Murphy who sent over. Murphy and Ronan Dooley exchanged a point. In the 29th minute Ronan Dooley worked well for Cian Walsh who goaled. Eoin Flynn pointed for Cork North, as the sides were level 1-5 to 0-8 at half-time.

CITY SIDE TOO STRONG

City had another pointed free on the restart and had their second goal when Ciaran Maguire worked well for Ronan Dooley who netted (2-6 to 0-8). Ciaran Maguire tagged on a free with Kieran Murphy and Ethan Buckley adding points. Murphy added another point entering the final quarter.

Cork North ‘keeper Shane Coughlan saved well from Sean Paul Cooke. Ciaran Maguire with a brace of pointed frees and from play edged City 2-13 to 0-11 clear in the closing moments.

Cork City: Ben Heffernan (Glen Rovers), Conor McCarthy (do), Rory Quinlan (White’s Cross), Padraigh Hosford (Na Piarsaigh), Eddie Coughlan (White’s Cross – 0-1), Rory Hurley (Sarsfields), Billy Hennessy (Nemo Rangers), Sean Paul Cooke (Na Piarsaigh), Peter Lehane (do – 0-1), Sean King (Sarsfields), Fionan Barry Condon (Douglas), Ciaran Maguire (Glen Rovers – 0-6 (0-4f)), Ronan Dooley (Douglas - 1-5 (0-4f)), Cian Walsh (Glen Rovers – 1-0), Alex Lynch (Na Piarsaigh). Subs: Rory McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Alex Lynch (inj); Jack Huggins (Sarsfields) for Peter Lehane, James Kennefick (St Finbarr’s) for Conor McCarthy, Conor McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) for Ronan Dooley, Sam McNamara (Sarsfields) for Cian Walsh.

Cork North: Shane Coughlan (Fermoy), Pearse O’Riordan (Kilworth/ Araglin Og), Liam Cronin (Fermoy), Darragh O’Brien (do), Tom McCarthy (‘Shandrum), Ethan Buckley (Milford – 0-1), Joe Hickey (Ballyhea), Bill Collins (‘Shandrum), Robert Troy (do), Eoin Sykes (Ballycastle Gaels), Ted O’Donoghue (Buttevant), Kieran Murphy (‘Shandrum - 0-6 (0-5f)), Stephen Minihane (do – 0-1), Brendan Daly (Fermoy – 0-1), Eoin Flynn (Ballygiblin – 0-2). Subs: Christopher Dunne (Shandrum) for Stephen Minihane, Conor Twomey (Kilworth/Araglin Og) for Eoin Sykes, Diarmuid O’Connor (Kanturk) for Robert Troy, Jack Murray (Fermoy) for Tom McCarthy, DJ Collins (Charleville) for Ted O’Donoghue.

Referee was Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).