Cork progress to Munster U20 FC final

Cork 2-14 Limerick 0-6

Cork were impressive winners over Limerick in the Munster Under 20 Eirgrid Football Championship semi-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Monday evening. Over the hour the better equipped Cork side showed the greater strength in depth and opened the scoring when Eoghan Nash set up Tommy Walsh for a well taken point.

Richard O’Sullivan followed with a point for the Rebels, before Limerick opened their account when a foul on Darragh Murray led to a Diarmuid Ryan pointed free. The sides were level soon after when David O’Shaughnessy pointed a free that made it 0-2 apiece after seven minutes.

However, from here on, Cork gained control in the key half backline and midfield sectors and a series of well taken points by Liam O’Connell, Richard O’Sullivan, Olan Corcoran and Hugh O’Connor made it 0-6 to 0-2. In the 25th minute Hugh O’Connor goaled after a three-man movement as Cork held a 1-6 to 0-2 interval lead.

The second half was again much the same. Limerick tried hard but it was Cork that would prevail from here. Three points inside the opening minutes by Olan Corcoran, Hugh O’Connor and Ross Corkery surged the winners into a 1-9 to 0-2 lead.

By the end of the third quarter both teams traded two more points as Cork moved 1-11 to 0-4 clear. David O’Shaughnessy then had another point for Limerick, but it was Cork that well and truly sealed their place in the final when Niall Kelly was on hand to score their second goal in the 54th minute.

The Rebels added three more points in the closing moments to seal a comfortable victory. Limerick had their last score when Darragh Murray pointed, but it was Cork that marched onto the final where they will face far stiffer opposition when they face the reigning champions Kerry next Monday evening in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

TEAMS

Cork: Callum Dungan (Carrigaline), Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy), Jacob O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers), Darragh Murray (Glanmire), Richard O’Sullivan (Newcestown, 0-2), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk – 0-1), Tomas O’Mahony (Castlehaven), Eoghan Nash (Douglas), Sean Dore (Ballincollig – 0-1), Sean Brady (Ballygarvan), Hugh O’Connor (Newmarket - 1-2, 0-1f), Liam O’Connell (Ballincollig – 0-1), Peadar O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), Olan Corcoran (St Mary’s - 0-4, 0-1f), Tom Cunningham (Kilshannig). Subs: Eoin de Burca (St Michael’s) for Eoghan Nash, Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers – 0-2) for Tom Cunningham, Paddy O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers) for Darragh Murray, Mikey Quirke (Ballinora) for Sean Brady, Niall Kelly (Newcestown – 1-1) for Hugh O’Connor.

Limerick: Craig MacInnes (St Kierans), Tadgh Hourigan (Pallasgreen), Jack McCarthy (Mungret, St Paul’s), Diarmuid Buckley (Fr Casey’s), Ciaran O’Sullivan ( Feohanagh/ Castlemahon), Frank Corcoran (Mungret, St Paul’s), Eoin McGrath (Galbally), Darragh Murray (Monaleen – 0-1), Emmett Righter (Newcastle West), Aaron Neville (do), Michael Molloy (Knockaderry), Bobbie Smith (Ballybrown), David O’Shaughnessy (Ballysteen – 0-4f), Ronan Quirke (Fr Casey’s), Diarmuid Ryan (Feenagh-Kilmeedy – 0-1). Subs: Tom Ryan (Dromcollogher/ Broadford) for Michael Molloy, Sean Ryan (St Kieran’s) for Ciaran O’Sullivan, Zach McCarthy (Galtee Gaels) for Diarmuid Ryan, Marc Nolan (Fr Casey’s) for Emmett Righter, David Boyce (FeenaghKilmeedy) for Jack McCarthy (inj).

Referee was N Quinn (Clare).