Cork hold out for win in MHC
Cork 1-16 Limerick 1-10
Cork Minor hurlers, after losing their opening game to Tipperary, are now back in contention. On Thursday evening in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh they faced Limerick in the Electric Ireland MHC Round 2 game.
Limerick had the opening point by Malachy McKenna. Cork levelled by Michael Brosnan. John Murphy with a good point edged Cork ahead and they led for the rest of the game. A number of Limerick attacks against the wind dropped short and were cleared. Mark O'Brien pointed a '65. Limerick had a point back when Eoin Brosnan worked well for Diarmuid Hurley who pointed. Further Cork pressure yielded quickfire points by Mark O'Brien and Luke Murphy 0-6 to 0-2. In the 12th minute O'Brien landed another free. Good play by Conon Noonan led to a great solo run and a point by Cian Denis O'Connor. Patrick Kearney replied for Limerick. Leo Hennessy added a point for the Rebels. Mark O'Brien and Jack Cosgrave exchanged a pointed free. Leo Hennessy struck a very good point on the run. A foul on Patrick Cagney led to a pointed free by Jack Cosgrave. Deep in injury time Cosgrave with another free cut the lead at the break to 5 points 0-11 to 0-6.
For the second half it was expected that Cork would pull away despite being against the wind. Limerick had 3 wides before Cosgrave with a free pointed. Cork had two rapid points by Adam Lee and a Mark O'Brien free as they regained the 6 point lead 0-13 to 0-7. Peter Barrett pointed for the home side. Danny Sheehan replied for Limerick. By the end of the 3rd quarter Cork led 0-15 to 0-8. Points for Limerick by Patrick Kearney (free) and Diarmuid Hurley gave them some hope. Limerick forced a 52nd minute penalty that Jack Cosgrave netted 0-15 to 1-10. Limerick tried very hard to close the gap. They were unable, Cork had a point and they had a late goal by Adam Lee that sealed a 1-16 to 1-10 victory.
Scorers for Cork: Mark O'Brien 0-7 (0-5f. 0-1 '65), Adam Lee 1-1, Leo Hennessy 0-2, Kevin Beecher 0-1, John Murphy 0-1, Cian Denis O'Connor 0-1, Michael Brosnan 0-1, Peter Barrett 0-1, Luke Murphy 0-1.
Limerick: Jack Cosgrave 1-4 (0-4f. 1-0 pen) Patrick Kearney 0-2, (0-1f)
Diarmuid Hurley 0-2, Danny Sheehan 0-1 Malachy McKenna 0-1.
Cork: P Josh Goulding (Glen Rovers), Cian Denis O'Connor ( Millstreet), Rian O'Riordan (Blackrock), Liam Kelleher (Douglas), Kevin Beecher (Eire Óg), Conor Noonan (Kanturk), John Murphy (Mallow), Oisín O'Connell (Carrigaline), Jack Hegarty (Ballinora), Leo Hennessy (Ballymartle), Mark O'Brien (Douglas), Luke Murphy (Barryroe), Adam Lee (Cloyne), Joe Twohig (Valley Rovers), Michael Brosnan (Glen Rovers). Subs: Peter Barrett (Midleton) for Joe Twohig, Cormac Deane (Killeagh) for Leo Hennessy, Dean Cosgrave (Courcey Rovers) for Oisín O'Connell, Fionn Lardner (Fermoy) for Michael Brosnan, Conor O'Donoghue (St Finbarr's) for Adam Lee.
Limerick: Cathal Dennehy (Glenroe), Denis Blackwell (Ahane), Daithi Dennehy (Glenroe), Conor Ryan (Adare), Eoin Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh), Gavin Dorgan (Monagea), Gearoid Enright (Kilmallock), Liam O'Connor (Templeglantine), Jack Cosgrave (Ahane), Patrick Cagney ( Feohanagh- Castlemahon), Eoin Maher (Monaleen), Patrick Kearney (Adare), Danny Sheehan (Na Piarsaigh), Diarmuid Hurley (HospitalHerbertstown), Malachy McKenna (Pallasgreen). Subs: Paul Murphy (Castletown-Ballyagran) for Gearoid Enright, Tommie Cusack (MurroeBoher) for Liam O'Connor, Rory Hanley (Ballybricken/Bohermore) for Eoin Brosnan, Jack Fitzgerald (Bruff) for Diarmuid Hurley.
Referee: John Bugler (Clare).