Cork draw with Clare | Allianz HL Division 1 Group A Round 5

Allianz Hurling League Division One Group A

Clare 2-18 Cork 2-18

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park for gaa.ie

Cork will face Kilkenny in the Allianz Hurling League Semi-Finals for the second successive season next weekend after protecting their unbeaten group record in front of 3,446 in Cusack Park, Ennis.

With the Rebels already safely through as Division 1A before a ball was even pucked on Sunday, the result was a bonus as injury-time points from substitutes Conor Lehane and Conor Cahalane snatched a share of the spoils with hosts Clare.

The Banner, off the back of a disappointing home reverse to Galway last time out, needed to finish their league campaign on a positive note and despite a final quarter dismissal of David Fitzgerald, a draw seemed the fairest outcome.

Their Munster Championship rematch at the same venue in nine weeks time will undoubtedly be played at a higher tempo and intensity but it was still a worthwhile outing as the home side were best served by top-scorer Aidan McCarthy (1-11), Conor Cleary and John Conlon while newcomers Brian Hayes, Brian Roche and Padraig Power impressed for Cork.

On the flip side, ahead of next weekend’s penultimate stage, Cork Manager Pat Ryan will be concerned about the fitness of chief marksmen Seamus Harnedy and Declan Dalton who were both withdrawn late in the opening period through injury.

However, the visitors showed tremendous grit to face into the inclement conditions for the second half and dig out a draw.

Padraig Power’s eighth minute goal cooper fastened a hugely positive start too as Cork powered into a 1-3 to 0-1 advantage. Clare’s response was instant though as from the puck-out Tony Kelly’s powerful shot could only be parried by goalkeeper Ger Collins into the path of David Reidy to bat the rebound to the net.

That seesaw pattern continued until the break as Aidan McCarthy led a Clare revival to inch 1-8 to 1-7 in front by the 20th minute, only to fall five adrift four minutes later when Seamus Harnedy capitalised upon a defensive lapse to nudge Cork 2-10 to 1-8 ahead.

Inevitably back came Clare with another rebound goal, this time through McCarthy who pulled to the net after Seadna Morey’s shot was initially stopped by Collins as the half-time arrears were slashed to just two at 2-12 to 2-10.

Down the other end, Alan Cadogen and Brian Hayes were both denied goals either side of the interval but it was wind-assisted Clare that incrementally took over as the second half developed albeit without ever putting clear daylight between the sides.

A trio of Aidan McCarthy frees did inch the Banner 2-17 to 2-15 ahead entering the final quarter but a straight red for his Inagh-Kilnamona club-mate David Fitzgerald following an altercation with Robert Downey in the 65th. Then replacements Lehane and Cahalane came to their rescue at the death.

Scorers for Clare: Aidan McCarthy 1-11 (9fs), David Fitzgerald 0-3, David Reidy 1-0), Ian Galvin, Ryan Taylor, Diarmuid Ryan, and Robin Mounsey 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Seamus Harnedy 1-3, Conor Lehane (3fs) and Declan Dalton (3fs) 0-4 each, Padraig Power 1-1, Brian Hayes 0-2, Brian Roche, Jack O’Connor, Alan Cadogan, and Conor Cahalane 0-1 each.

Clare: Eibhear Quilligan; Aaron Fitzgerald, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan; Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, David McInerney; Seadna Morey, Tony Kelly; David Fitzgerald, Cathal Malone, Ryan Taylor; David Reidy, Aidan McCarthy, Ian Galvin.

Subs: Darragh Lohan for Fitzgerald (HT), Peter Duggan for Galvin (57), Robin Mounsey for Reidy (57), Davie Conroy for Morey (62), Jack Kirwan for Taylor (68).

Cork: Ger Collins; Niall O’Leary, Daire O’Leary, Eoin Roche; Cathal Cormack, Robert Downey, Cormac O’Brien; Brian Roche, Ethan Twomey; Declan Dalton, Seamus Harnedy, Brian Hayes; Alan Cadogen, Padraig Power, Jack O’Connor.

Subs: Conor Lehane for Harnedy (29, inj), Conor Cahalane for Dalton (34, inj), Shane Kingston for Cadogen (45), Ger Mellerick for B. Roche (55), Damien Cahalane for D. O’Leary (58).

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford).

Louth defeat Cork | Allianz FL Division 2 Round 6

Allianz Football League Division Two

Louth 1-10 Cork 0-10

By Dan Bannon for GAA.ie

Louth have picked up a wonderful winning habit during Mickey Harte’s short three year reign and another promotion tilt beckons next Sunday in Croke Park with Dublin after coming from five points behind to plunder Cork by two in a relentless finale.

If the Wee county are successful in reaching Division One, they will have climbed every rung of the league ladder in all of those Harte years successively.

In a repeat of the 1957 All-Ireland final, it was apt that this game took place on Ardee soil and the home pitch of Dermot O’Brien, Louth’s captain on that famous day.

That streak looked set to continue however when the returning Steven Sherlock shot Cork five points to the good during a classy spell for the Leesiders.

Half back’s Rory Maguire and Luke Fahy getting in on the act during John Cleary’s side’s best period. Louth despite being under pressure don’t concede many goals, and crucially stay in games.

James ‘Peach’ Califf twice denied Chris Óg Jones for certain goals and then at the other end Ryan Burns won himself a penalty. Burns’ first effort was denied superbly by Mícheal Aodh Martin but his parried effort rebounded to the Hunterstown Rovers man for the relieved finish.

That handed Louth the lifeline they needed and Cork’s Daniel O’Mahony received his marching orders just before half time. All-Ireland U20 finalist Tommy Walsh just nudged Cork ahead 0-8 to 1-4 at the turn.

Sherlock and Fahy combined to give Louth a jolt but Fahy’s point would be Cork’s last and their final time leading the game. Despite losing Donal McKenny to a black card and Ruairí Deane missing goal chances impact sub Craig Lennon and Daire McConnon combined to level.

With that winning knowhow instilled, Ciarán Downey gave Louth the lead for the first time with eight minutes remaining. In that position, in-form Louth don’t relinquish those opportunities.

Home fan favourite Tommy Durnin raised the home crowd to their feet twice in a matter of minutes. The first, with his second point and then with a rousing substitution.

Downey, now with promotion firmly in his sights, then stepped up to complete the famous victory with his side’s fifth point in a row.

Scorers for Louth: Ryan Burns 1-0, Ciarán Downey (1f), Tommy Durnin and Liam Jackson 0-2 each, Dáire McConnon, Craig Lennon, Conor Grimes and Conor Early 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Steven Sherlock 0-4 (2fs, 1’45), Luke Fahy 0-2, Conor Corbett, Chris Óg Jones, Rory Maguire, and Tommy Walsh 0-1 eachLouth: James Califf; Dan Corcoran, Peter Lynch, Donal McKenny; Leonard Grey, Ciarán Murphy, Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Niall Sharkey, Liam Jackson, Conor Grimes (0-01); Dáire McConnon, Ciarán Downey, Ryan Burns.

Subs: Bevan Duffy for Grimes (35), Craig Lennon for Burns (45), Oisín McGuinness for Jackson (54), Conall McCaul for McKenny (57), Jay Hughes for McConnon (66), Paul Mathews for Durnin (74).

Cork: Micheál Aodh Martin; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy, Rory Maguire, Sean Meehan; Colm O’Callaghan, Ian Maguire; Eoghan McSweeney, Sean Powter, Ruairi Deane; Chris Óg Jones; Steven Sherlock, Conor Corbett.

Subs: Brian O’Driscoll for McSweeney (54), Killian O’Hanlon for Jones (62), John O’Rourke for Corbett (62), Cian Kiely for Fahy (73), Mark Cronin for Sherlock (73).

Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford).

In-season Athletic Development Workshop

On Wednesday night next, Cork GAA High-Performance Dept led by Aidan O’Connell will host a Pitch based In-season Athletic Development Workshop.

This workshop is open to all coaches of Youth aged and Adult teams. Both Aidan and Adam McCarthy will lead the workshop. The key areas that the workshop will focus on are warm-up, power, speed and fitness

Booking is now available below 

 

 

 

Louth v Cork Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 6 | Match Day Information

Cork face Louth at 1:00pm in Round 6 of the Allianz Football League Division 2 this Sunday 19th March in Páirc Mhuire, Ardee.

 

Tickets

Tickets for the game can be purchased here or in selected SuperValu and Centra stores which can be seen here

 

TV Information

The game will not be broadcast on TV or live streaming. Please do not click any links claiming to broadcast the game.

 

Team News

The Cork Senior Football team to play Louth is below

Clare v Cork Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A Round 5 | Match Day Information

Cork face Clare at 1:45pm in Round 5 of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Group A this Sunday 19th March in Cusack Park, Ennis.

 

Tickets

Tickets for the game can be purchased here or in selected SuperValu and Centra stores which can be seen here

 

TV Information

The game will not be broadcast on TV or live streaming. Please do not click any links claiming to broadcast the game.

 

Team News

The Cork Senior Hurling team to play Clare is below