Impressive win for Cork in Under 20 FC
Cork 5-18 Clare 0-13
Cork were very easy winners over Clare in the Munster Under 20 Phase 2 Round 3 EirGrid GAA Football at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday evening last week. The game was played in glorious sunshine before a very small attendance.
From the start, Cork gained control and Sam Copps pointed in the first minute. They followed with points from Ross Corkery and Ed Myers. Myers followed with a point from a 'mark' before Hugh O'Connor goaled in the 9th minute.
By this stage Cork were completely on top in the half back and midfield sectors. Their attack, in regular supply, took some very good scores. Over the hour, 10 of the Rebels’ side figured on the scoresheet. Sean McMahon pointed for Clare. Cork replied with a goal and a point in quick succession, Ross Corkery had the goal and Jack O'Neill pointed, as Cork moved 2-5 to 0-1 clear after 12 minutes.
Four more points in a row made it 2-9 to 0-2. Darragh Sheedy and Aaron Kelly exchanged points, before Cork had their 3rd goal in the 29th minute from Ed Myers after a 3-man attack. The 4th goal came in injury time from Hugh O'Connor. Michael McSweeney soloed through and pointed, as Cork led at half-time 4-11 to 0-4.
There was no way back for Clare on the restart. Hugh O'Connor (free) and Ed Myers helped to increase the lead out to 4-15 to 0-8 by the end of the third quarter. Darren Keane and Darragh Culligan had pointed frees for the Banner side. Cork's 5th goal came from Darragh Sheedy in the 46th minute.
Both sides made a number of substitutions and Clare had a few late points. Clare goalkeeper Cian Corry made some massive saves in the final quarter. In the end, Cork were easily through to meet Kerry in the final on Wednesday.
Cork: Aaron Mannix (Doheny's), Dan Twomey (Ballinascarthy – 0-1), Mark Og O'Sullivan (Bantry Blues), Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers), Gearoid Daly (Mallow – 0-1), David Buckley (Douglas), Sam Copps (Mallow – 0-1), Rory O'Shaughnessy (St. Michael's – 0-1), Michael McSweeney (Knocknagree – 0-2), Darragh O'Brien (Glanworth), Hugh O'Connor (capt - Newmarket - 2-2; 0-2f), Jack O'Neill (Castlehaven – 0-1), Ross Corkery (Nemo Rangers - 1-3, 0-1f), Ed Myers (Naomh Aban - 1-4; 0-1 mark), Darragh Sheedy (Bantry Blues – 1-2). Subs: Trevor Kiely (Mallow) for David Buckley, Gearoid Kearney (Kinsale) for Hugh O'Connor, Aaron O'Sullivan (Aghabullogue) for Darragh
O'Brien, Fionan Leahy (St Michael's) for Mark Og O'Sullivan, Darragh Clifford (Eire Og) for Rory O'Shaughnessy.
Referee was Jonathan Hayes (Limerick).