Cork well on top in second half
Cork 2-22 Clare 1-19
All-Ireland champions Cork had a six point win over Clare in the O'Neill's.com Munster U20 HC Round 2 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday evening. Clare dominated the opening 23 minutes. They were reduced to 14 players when Ronan Keane was dismissed and they lost their way from there on. Conor Whelan was in great form for Clare, scoring some excellent points. James Hegarty pointed in the 3rd minute and Clare were 0-3 to 0-0 ahead. Impressive William Buckley opened Cork's account. Clare continued to play well. They were on top in the halfback line and points by Conor Whelan, Michael Collins and Seamus Rynne opened up a lead 0-8 to 0-1. William Buckley pointed again. Jack Leahy was wide for Cork before Ronan Kilroy with two points made it 0-10 to 0-2. James Dwyer had a long range Cork point. Mikie Finn added a point 0-10 to 0-4. Jack Leahy landed a free before Ronan Keane restored the Banner's six point lead. Cork had their goal just before half-time when Diarmuid Healy soloed in from the wing and Mark Sheedy saved well with the rebound going to Ross O'Sullivan who goaled. By half-time Clare's lead was down to 2 points, 0-13 to 1-8.
On the resumption Conor Whelan pointed a free. Jack Leahy and William Buckley had a point each before Buckley placed Diarmuid Healy for the equaliser 0-14 to 1-11. Jack Leahy goaled and followed with a point. Conor Whelan and Jack Leahy exchanged a point. Clare found it hard to make any real progress up front. Cork moved 2-15 to 0-15 ahead. Jack O'Neill placed Conor Whelan for a very good point but they were unable to get any closer. Cork with points by William Buckley and James Dwyer moved 2-17 to 0-16 clear. Niall O'Farrell pointed for Clare. Substitute Eoin O'Leary had a few good points for Cork. James Organ had a late goal for Clare. In the 57th minute William Buckley made it 2-19 to 1-18. Both sides exchanged points with Cork impressive winners in the end.
Scorers for Cork: Jack Leahy 1- 6 (0-2f), William Buckley 0-8 (0-3f. 0-1 '65), Mikie Finn 0-3 Ross O'Sullivan 1-0, James Dwyer 0-2, Eoin O'Leary 0-2, Diarmuid Healy 0-1.
Cork: Paudie O'Sullivan (Fr O'Neill's), Denis Cashman (Bride Rovers), Kevin Lyons (Ballygarvan),
Darragh O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig), James Dwyer (Ballincollig), Oran O'Regan (Erins Own), Cillian Tobin (Bride Rovers), Mikie Finn (Midleton), Ben Walsh (Killeagh), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), Tadhg O'Connell (Ballincollig), David Cremin (Midleton), William Buckley (St Finbarr's), Jack Leahy (Dungourney), Ross O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh). Subs: Eoin O'Leary (Glen Rovers) for Ross O'Sullivan, Peter O'Shea (Erins Own) for Cillian Tobin, Adam O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for Tadhg O'Connell, James O'Brien (Fermoy) for Denis Cashman, Barry Walsh (Killeagh) for David Cremin.
Referee: Nicky O'Toole (Waterford).