Cork’s Munster U20 hurling campaign ended in frustration at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a strong position slipped away late on against Clare, who ran out 3-20 to 2-17 winners.

This was a game Cork will feel got away. Having already beaten Clare a week earlier to secure home advantage, the Rebels showed resilience and quality to fight back from a six-point half-time deficit (2-9 to 0-11). Goals from Johnny Murphy and Barry O’Flynn were central to that response, while James O’Brien’s impact off the bench helped swing momentum.

When O’Flynn struck for Cork’s second goal in the 50th minute to make it 2-17 to 2-14, the home side looked in control and on course for a Munster final place.

However, Cork couldn’t build on that advantage. Despite their work rate and determination, they were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. Clare capitalised, but from a Cork perspective, it was the loss of momentum and missed chances that proved decisive.

There was plenty to admire in Cork’s spirit and fight.

Scorers for Cork: Barry O’Flynn 1-3; Johnny Murphy 1-2; James O’Brien 0-4 (1f); Zack Biggane, Barry Walsh (1f) 0-2 each; Darragh Heavin, Conor Noonan, Finn O’Brien, Jack Counihan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Fred Hegarty 0-8 (5f); Marco Cleary 2-0; Paul Rodgers 1-0; Ronan Kilroy, Thomas O’Connor 0-3 each; Daniel Costello 0-2; Ryan Hayes, Ronan Keane, Michael Collins, Harry Doherty 0-1 each.

CORK: Óisín Walsh; Denis Fitzgerald, Matthew Barrett, Darragh Heavin; Ben Walsh, Colm Garde, David O’Leary; Michael Tadhg Brosnan, Conor Noonan; John Murphy (Mallow), Zack Biggane, Barry Walsh; Finn O’Brien, Johnny Murphy (Dromina), Barry O’Flynn. Subs: Craig O’Sullivan for F O’Brien (16, inj), James O’Brien for O’Sullivan (27), Jack Counihan for Fitzgerald (h-t), Jack O’Brien for John Murphy (50), Mark O’Brien for Biggane (57).

CLARE: Mark Sheedy; Eoghan Gunning, Robert Loftus, Joe Casey; Matthew O’Halloran, James Hegarty, Ryan Hayes; Daniel Costelloe, Ronan Keane; Michael Collins, Ronan Kilroy, Fred Hegarty; Marco Cleary, Thomas O’Connor, Paul Rodgers. Subs: Graham Ball for Casey (28, inj), Harry Doherty for Collins (43), Seán Arthur for Rodgers (45), Seán Boyce for Ball (49-50, blood), Daire Neville for Kilroy (60+2), Boyce for Cleary (60+4).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).