Cork lose out in Munster U17 HC final

Clare 1-19 Cork 0-15 An impressive second half display saw Clare sweep aside the challenge from Cork when they met in the Electric Ireland Munster U17 HC final at Semple Stadium on Tuesday evening last.

The opening half was keenly contested with Clare holding a slender advantage at the interval 0-10 to 0-9. However on the changeover Clare certainly set the tone and helped by an early goal from Eoin Begley, they never looked back and ran out worthy winners.

The opening stages saw Clare, who defeated Cork in the group stages in Sixmilebridge only two weeks earlier, start at a hectic pace with James Hegarty, Marc O’Brien and Matthew O’Halloran having points, as they raced into a 0-3 to no score lead by the fourth minute. As the half went on Cork got to grips and Barry Walsh opened their account with a difficult free from out near the sideline. Moments later, the Clare keeper Mark Sheedy caught a great ball off his line that prevented a goal scoring opportunity for the Rebels.

James O’Leary and Sean Arthur swapped points, before Cork got back on level terms at 0-4 apiece by the 18th minute when Barry Walsh and Zack Biggane reeled off a point each. In a closely contested half, Clare edged in front again when team captain and corner back Eoghan Gunning picked up possession in his own half backline and following a marvellous solo run, he picked off a great point.

The lead was stretched to two points soon after when Matthew O’Halloran set up Jack Mescall who sent over from long range, now 0-6 to 0-4.

Over the next couple of minutes Cork were wide on a number of occasions. Barry Walsh added another free for the Rebels in the 24th minute, but it was Clare that were doing enough to maintain a slender lead with Barry Walsh (2), Ogie Fanning and Marc O’Brien trading points by the 29th minute. Cork levelled matters soon after when Barry Walsh sent over a free.

In injury time they were also tied at 0-9 apiece – Michael Collins giving Clare the lead with a well taken point, with Cork responding from the puckout by Fionn Murphy, who picked out Barry Walsh to score a great point. Deep in stoppage time the Banner County took a lead they would not surrender, when Marc O’Brien pointed a free as they held a 0-10 to 0-9 interval lead.

SECOND HALF

For the second half, Clare gained control from an early stage with the physical presence of key players Ronan Keane, Matthew O’Halloran, James Hegarty, Jack Mescall, Evan Price, Michael Collins, Sean Arthur and Marc O’Brien showing great class and leadership. They made the perfect start in the 32nd minute when Eoin Begley was first to react to finish to the net after Marc O’Brien’s effort at goal was saved by the Cork keeper, Fionn Murphy.

Clare never looked back from here scoring the next four points that helped open up a sizeable 1-14 to 0-9 lead by the 43rd minute. Cork to their credit refused to give in with Conor McCarthy, Barry Walsh and substitute Jayden Casey very much to the fore. They registered their first score of this half a minute later when Barry Walsh pointed.

Cork also introduced Ben Walsh midway through this half as they tried to get back into the tie, but at times often found the entire Clare defence near impossible to break down. Marc O’Brien and Barry Walsh exchanged points, before some well taken points from Cork’s Jayden Casey and Barry O’Flynn closed the margin to 1-16 to 0-13.

At this stage, Clare sensed victory. Marc O’Brien (2) and Fred Hegarty with points in the last ten minutes dispelled any notions of a Cork revival, as the Banner County went on to run out fully deserving winners.

Cork: Fionn Murphy (Killeagh), Oier O’Callaghan (Liscarroll/ Churchtown Gaels), Darragh McCarthy (Passage), Carthaigh Cronin (Midleton), Cillian O’Callaghan (Dungourney), David O’Leary (Ballincollig), Johnny Galvin (Eire Og), James O’Leary (Lisgoold – 0-1), Zack Biggane (Charleville – 0-1), Johnny Murphy (Dromina), Conor McCarthy (Glen Rovers), Barry Walsh (Killeagh - 0-9 (0-5f)), Finn O’Brien (Erins Own), Barry O’Flynn (Sarsfields – 0-2), Brian Lynch (Youghal). Subs: Jayden Casey (Youghal – 0-2) for Brian Lynch, Ronan Dooley (Douglas) for Finn O’Brien, Ben Walsh (Killeagh) for Conor McCarthy, Sean O’Callaghan (Aghada) for Carthaigh Cronin, Conor McCarthy (St Finbarr’s) for Johnny Murphy.

Referee was Alan Tierney (Tipperary).

(Pic: George Hatchell) Captains Eoghan Gunning, Clare and Jayden Casey, Cork with referee Alan Tierney, Tipperary before the Electric Ireland Munster Minor hurling final at Semple Stadium, Thurles.