Cork U20 hurlers hold out for narrow win
Cork 1-25 Limerick 2-20 Cork maintained their good run in the O'Neill's.com Munster U20 HC at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday evening when they overcame Limerick, in a game that was very keenly contested for long periods.
Diarmuid Healy and Shane O'Brien exchanged early points. Further Cork points from Jack Leahy and William Buckley were followed by an Oisin O'Farrell point for Limerick. Cian Scully levelled from a free. Limerick hit the front with two frees from Oisin O'Farrell. Eoin O'Leary pointed for Cork, before O'Farrell with two more points edged Limerick 0-7 to 0-4 clear.
Limerick added another point from Oisin O'Farrell to go double scores ahead and in the 16th minute, Jack Leahy pointed two frees. Robert O'Farrell made it 0-9 to 0-6.
Cork fought back well. Jack Leahy and Diarmuid Healy had a point each, with Ben Walsh levelling matters. Cork hit the front again with a long range pointed free from Jack Leahy. Shane O'Brien tied the scores for the fifth time at 0-10 apiece. Hugh Flanagan had a very good point for Limerick, but Jack Leahy levelled again. Diarmuid Healy soloed through and pointed.
Further Cork pressure saw Healy and Leahy add a point apiece with Oisin O'Farrell pointing a Limerick free that had the Rebels two clear at half-time - 0-14 to 0-12.
On the changeover, Fintan Fitzgerald pointed for Limerick. He also pointed in the 36th minute to level for the 6th time. Shane O'Brien and Jack Leahy had the sides deadlocked at 0-15 apiece, but Cork edged ahead through Tadhg O'Connell. Limerick had their goal in the 40th minute from Fintan Fitzgerald as they moved 1-16 to 0-16 clear.
Limerick were unable to maintain their lead. Cork fought back well and 3 points from William Buckley and Jack Leahy (2) had them level at 1-16 to 0-19. Leahy edged Cork ahead with two points.
Adam O'Sullivan had a Cork goal and they were 1-21 to 1-15 clear. Jack Leahy had his 13th point. Oisin O'Farrell kept Limerick in touch. Cillian Tobin pointed for the 'Rebels' with Cian Scully replying for Limerick. Diarmuid Healy had a great point for Cork, with Leahy completing the Cork tally in the closing moments. Vincent Harrington completed Limerick's scoring.
The Shannonsiders forced 3 close in frees in injury time. The first two from Cian Scully were saved, with Tadhg Boddy finding the net from the 3rd one. The final whistle followed.
Cork have still to play Tipperary in Thurles on May 3. Limerick's last game is against Waterford in Rathkeale on May 10.
TEAMS & SCORERS
Cork: Paudie O'Sullivan (Fr O'Neill's), Denis Cashman (Bride
Rovers), Kevin Lyons (Ballygarvan), Darragh O'Sullivan (capt., Ballinhassig), James Dwyer (Ballincollig), Oran O'Regan (Erins Own), Cillian Tobin (Bride Rovers, 0-1), Mikie Finn (Midleton), Ben Walsh (Killeagh, 0-1), Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold, 0-5), Tadhg O'Connell (Ballincollig, 0-1), William Buckley (St Finbarr's, 0-2), David Cremin (Midleton), Eoin O'Leary (Glen Rovers, 0-1), Jack Leahy (Dungourney, 0-14; 0-10f). Subs: Barry Walsh (Killeagh, 1-0) for Eoin O'Leary, Adam O'Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for Mikie Finn, Peter O'Shea (Erins Own) for Ben Walsh, Timmy Wilk (Cobh) for Cillian Tobin, Ross O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for Tadhg O'Connell.
Limerick: Pierce Connery (Kilmallock), Michael Fitzgibbon (Cappamore), Darragh Langan (Monaleen), David Fitzgerald (KildimoPallaskenry), Vincent Harrington (Na Piarsaigh, 0-1), Sean Casey (Bruff), Cian Scully (capt., Dromin-Athlacca; 0-3, 0-2f), Joe Fitzgerald (Monaleen), Matthew Fitzgerald (do), Robert O'Farrell (Kildimo-Pallaskenry, 0-1), Con Hayes (Newcastle west), Hugh Flanagan (Garryspillane, 0-1), Fintan Fitzgerald (Mungret St. Paul's, 1-2), Shane O'Brien (Kilmallock, 0-3), Oisin O'Farrell (Askeaton-Kilcornan Desmonds, 0-9; 0-6f., 0-1 ' 65). Subs: William Dore (Dromin-Athlacca) for Michael Fitzgibbon, Darragh Fernland (Monaleen) for Robert O'Farrell, Jack Fitzgerald (Dromin-Athlacca) for Matthew Fitzgerald, Tadhg Boddy (Bruff, 1-0) for Con Hayes, Barry Adams (Ballybrowne) for Joe Fitzgerald.
Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).