Steep task now ahead for Cork as Clare edge out Rebels
Clare 3-26 Cork 3-24 Having lost out to Waterford the previous weekend, Cork's chances of making it out of the group stages in the Munster SHC suffered a further dent at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday before an attendance of about 38,000 patrons, when they were forced to give way to a battle hardened Clare outfit.
Early in the second half it looked to be going according to plan for the hosts, as helped by a Patrick Horgan goal, they raced seven points clear and looked to have the measure of their opponents. However, Clare who were defeated by Limerick the previous weekend, showed the greater heart and character from here with Diarmuid Ryan and David Fitzgerald immense around the middle of the field, while in attack the brilliance of Shane O'Donnell, Aidan McCarthy, David Reidy, Mark Rodgers and 'man of the match' Peter Duggan, were crucial as they overturned this deficit.
CLARE SET THE PACE
The opening stages saw Clare hit the ground running with Aidan McCarthy, Mark Rodgers and Shane O'Donnell on target as they moved into a 0-3 to no score lead by the fourth minute. Cork got their account up and running soon after when Patrick Collins’ puckout was gathered by Tim O'Mahony, who split the posts from the half back line. Declan Dalton and Patrick Horgan followed with a free each, as the sides were level by the ninth minute. This was the trend for the remainder of the half as it was very much score for score. They couldn't be separated at 0-4, 0-5, 0-7 and 0-8 apiece by the 24th minute when Aidan McCarthy (3), Patrick Horgan (3), Mark Rodgers (2), Seamus Harnedy and Alan Connolly traded points.
Clare hit the front again when David McInerney picked up possession from a Cork clearance to score from distance. At the other end, Darragh Fitzgibbon with a fine solo run cut through the spine of the Clare defence only to be denied by a very good save by the Clare keeper, Eibhear Quilligan. Clare moved two clear when Peter Duggan picked off a great point.
Back again came Cork with Seamus Harnedy and Alan Connolly on target, to level proceedings at 0-10 each. The Clare keeper Eibhear Quilligan came to his side’s rescue again when he denied Patrick Horgan from close range. Aidan McCarthy edged Clare in front with a free, with Cork drawing level with Darragh Fitzgibbon scoring a marvellous point from out near the sideline.
In the 33rd minute Cork took the lead for the first time in the game, when Declan Dalton sent over a huge free before a good pass by Niall O'Leary set up the Fr O'Neill's clubman for a fine point, as the hosts moved 0-13 to 0-11 clear. Further pressure saw Darragh Fitzgibbon set up Ciaran Joyce, who split the posts from his own half back line. In injury time, Aidan McCarthy completed the first half scoring as Clare trailed by 0-14 to 0-12.
ALL TO PLAY FOR
On the changeover, despite Clare getting the scoring underway when David Fitzgerald set up Mark Rodgers for a fine point, it was Cork that dominated matters early on. Patrick Horgan with a neat flick scored the game’s opening goal after he received a good pass from Alan Connolly. This was immediately followed by a brace of points from Seamus Harnedy and Declan Dalton as Cork looked to have a grip on matters when racing 1-16 to 0-13 clear. The lead could have been increased to nine points moments later when Ciaran Joyce picked out Shane Barrett and as he bore down on the Clare goal, his effort was deflected out, off a Clare defender at the expense of a ' 65 that Patrick Horgan converted as Cork moved seven clear.
Clare now faced an uphill battle, but nevertheless they steadied their way back into the tie. Aidan McCarthy pointed a long range free from a difficult angle. The hugely impressive Diarmuid Ryan landed a point from distance, before they struck for the first of their three goals in the 42nd minute when David McInerney, John Conlon and Shane O'Donnell were heavily involved for Mark Rodgers, who billowed the net - 1-18 to 1-15.
Clare were now in the ascendancy with David Reidy reeling off two sublime points in as many minutes as they trailed by just the minimum. In a thrilling half, both teams certainly sensed victory. Patrick Horgan and Aidan McCarthy traded frees, before Cork moved two clear when Darragh Fitzgibbon scored another great point from along the flank. Aidan McCarthy replied with a point for Clare, before the turning point of the game came in the 51st minute when a Mark Rodgers effort at goal was intercepted, but Sean O'Donoghue's tackle saw him pick up his second yellow card, meaning Cork were forced to plan ahead with 14 players.
Clare capitalised from here on. Aidan McCarthy with a free had the game tied for the eight time at 1-20 each. Over the next couple of minutes both teams struck a number of wides before Clare struck for their second goal in the 57th minute, when David Fitzgerald and Diarmuid Ryan played leading roles for Shane O'Donnell who breached the Cork goal line.
Cork's main marksman, Patrick Horgan, replied with a free, while at the other end Eibhear Quilligan's puckout set up Peter Duggan for a delightful point.
Cork rallied once again and points in quick succession by Patrick Horgan and Shane Kingston
left a point between the teams, 2-21 to 1-23. Just when they looked like getting back on parity it was Clare that struck for their third goal when David Fitzgerald, with one of his trademark solo runs, billowed the Cork net that helped open up a 3-23 to 1-23 lead.
Cork in an effort to keep their season alive threw caution to the wind in the final moments. Patrick Horgan had a goal from a free in the 67th minute that kept the game firmly in the balance. However, with time running out, Cork needed scores, but it was Clare that restored a sizeable cushion when Diarmuid Ryan and Mark Rodgers had points.
In a hectic finish, both teams traded points with Cork getting their third goal in injury time from Robert Downey. It was not enough however, with Clare emerging victors in a high scoring contest that produced 6 goals and 50 points.
Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), Niall O'Leary (Castlelyons), Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), Sean O'Donoghue ( Inniscarra), Tim O'Mahony ( Newtownshandrum 0-1), Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr 0-1), Robert Downey (Glen Rovers 1-0), Ethan Twomey (St. Finbarr's), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville 0-2), Declan Dalton (Fr O'Neill's, 0-4 0-3f), Shane Barrett (Blarney), Seamus Harnedy (St Ita's 0-3), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr's), Alan Connolly (Blackrock 0-2), Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers - 2-10; 1-7f, 0-2 '65s). Subs: Mark Coleman (Blarney) for Ethan Twomey, Robbie O'Flynn (Erins Own) for Declan Dalton, Luke Meade (Newcestown) for Seamus Harnedy, Shane Kingston (Douglas 0-1) for Brian Hayes, Damien Cahalane (St Finbarr's) for Tim O'Mahony (inj).
Referee James Owens (Wexford).