Cork’s Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship campaign got off to a flying start on Monday evening, with a comprehensive 4-25 to 0-12 victory over Clare in Clarecastle.
Facing a Clare side that had already come through Phase 1, Keith Ricken’s charges showed no signs of rust in their first outing, settling quickly and taking control after an even opening. Ben Hegarty (0-4, 0-2f) led the early scoring, and once Cork found their rhythm, they never looked back.
The breakthrough moment arrived midway through the first half when Jacob Barry (1-0) finished a slick team move to the net. That score sparked a dominant spell, with Dónal Herlihy (1-2) and Tom Whooley (1-5) both raising green flags, while Conrad Murphy (0-3, incl. one two-pointer) added to the surge. Cork closed the half with a commanding 3-13 to 0-5 lead.
Cork maintained that intensity after the restart. Captain Joe Miskella (1-2) added a fourth goal following excellent approach play, as the Rebels continued to stretch their advantage. Eoghan Ahern (0-3) was lively throughout, while substitute Alex O’Herlihy (0-3) made a strong impact off the bench. Further contributions came from Ciarán Garvey (0-1), Conor Downing (0-1), and Riain Coakley (0-1) in a polished team performance that yielded 4-23 from play.
Defensively, Cork were equally impressive, with Conor Downing (0-1) anchoring the backline and limiting Clare’s scoring chances throughout.
Clare battled to the end, with Liam Keane (0-5, 0-4f) and Seán O’Callaghan (0-2, incl. one two-pointer) leading their scoring, while contributions also came from Cillian Killeen (0-1), Ronan Cotter (0-1), Tadhg Dillon (0-1), Ronan Kelly (0-1), and Ronan Brady (0-1).
The result leaves Cork in a strong position ahead of their next Phase 2 fixture away to Kerry in Tralee.
CORK:
R Twohig (Kilmeen); C O’Riordan (Blarney), G Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), C Garvey (St Finbarr’s, 0-1); D O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), C Downing (Adrigole, 0-1), E Lynch (Ballincollig); K O’Shea (Urhan), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels, 0-3, 1 two-pointer); E Ahern (Carrigaline, 0-3), B Hegarty (Ballinora, 0-4, 0-2f), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt, 1-2); T Whooley (Clonakilty, 1-5), J Barry (Aghinagh, 1-0), D Herlihy (Shamrocks, 1-2).
Subs: D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for B Hegarty (h-t); A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s, 0-3) for J Barry (42); R Coakley (Éire Óg, 0-1) for D Herlihy (46); P Kelly (Naomh Abán) for C Murphy (46); M Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for T Whooley (50).
CLARE:
C Griffin; G Browne, S Neenan, T O’Loughlin; E Soffe, C Killeen (0-1), S O’Neill; S Cahill, J Lavin; R Cotter (0-1), Z O’Shea, T Dillon (0-1); R Kelly (0-1), L Keane (0-5, 0-4f), S O’Callaghan (0-2, 1 two-pointer).
Subs: P Neylon for E Cahill (10–12, blood); P Neylon for C Killeen (28); J Greene for J Lavin (h-t); T Bane for Z O’Shea (h-t); D Healy for E Soffe (42); R Brady (0-1) for T Dillon (49).
Cork 20’s book their place in Munster Semi-Final
Cork powered past Clare on a 4-19 to 2-21 scoreline in the Munster U20 Hurling Championship at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, with four goals proving decisive in a thrilling contest that will be repeated in next week’s semi-final.
Trailing by a point at half-time (1-11 to 1-10), Cork exploded into the second half. Colm Garde levelled before a slick move ended with Johnny Murphy firing to the net. Further goals from Barry Walsh and Finn O’Brien kept Cork in control during a tense finale.
Clare, who had won their previous three games, pushed hard with Fred Hegarty and Thomas O’Connor leading the charge. O’Connor struck twice for goal, while Hegarty’s scoring kept the Banner within touching distance.
However, Cork’s resilience proved key. Goalkeeper Oisín Walsh produced vital saves, and Barry Walsh sealed the win with a superb late point.
Despite the victory, scoring difference sees Cork face Clare again in the semi-final.
Scorers for Cork: Barry Walsh 1-5 (0-1 f), James O’Brien 0-6 (0-5 f), Johnny Murphy 1-2, Barry O’Flynn, F O’Brien 1-0 each, Z Biggane 0-2, D Heavin, C Garde, Ben Walsh, C Noonan 0-1 each.
Clare: F Hegarty 0-8 (0-5 f), T O’Connor 2-2, M Collins, R Kilroy 0-4 each, R Hayes, D Costello, P Rodgers 0-1 each.
Subs: J Counihan (Watergrasshill) for Noonan (51-53), John Murphy (Mallow) for Biggane (55), Counihan for O’Leary (57), C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for F O’Brien (58), Jack O’Brien (Douglas) for Brosnan (59).
CLARE: M Sheedy; J Casey, R Loftus, E Gunning; J Moylan, M O’Halloran, R Hayes; D Costello, G Ball; F Hegarty, M Collins, R Kilroy; S Boyce, T O’Connor, P Rodgers.
Subs: H Doherty for Boye (39), J Hegarty for Moylan (47), R Keane for Ball (49), M Cleary for Rodgers (54), S Arthur for Costello (60).
Referee: K Guina (Limerick).
Cork U20 Football Team Announced for Munster Final Clash with Kerry
Cork U20 Footballers are set to face Kerry in the Final of the Dalata Hotel Group U20 Munster Football Championship.
The game will take place Thursday at 7pm in Austin Stacks Park Tralee.
The Cork team to play Kerry is as follows:
Cork u20 hurling team to play Clare has been announced
Cork’s U20 hurlers return to action this Wednesday night, April 29th, as they take on Clare at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The team to play has been announced as follows
Success in All-Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals
Last Saturday, April 25th, saw a strong Cork contingent head to Castlebar for the All-Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals.
Cork Minors win in Clarecastle in opening Championship Game
Cork’s Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship campaign got off to a flying start on Monday evening, with a comprehensive 4-25 to 0-12 victory over Clare in Clarecastle.
Facing a Clare side that had already come through Phase 1, Keith Ricken’s charges showed no signs of rust in their first outing, settling quickly and taking control after an even opening. Ben Hegarty (0-4, 0-2f) led the early scoring, and once Cork found their rhythm, they never looked back.
The breakthrough moment arrived midway through the first half when Jacob Barry (1-0) finished a slick team move to the net. That score sparked a dominant spell, with Dónal Herlihy (1-2) and Tom Whooley (1-5) both raising green flags, while Conrad Murphy (0-3, incl. one two-pointer) added to the surge. Cork closed the half with a commanding 3-13 to 0-5 lead.
Cork maintained that intensity after the restart. Captain Joe Miskella (1-2) added a fourth goal following excellent approach play, as the Rebels continued to stretch their advantage. Eoghan Ahern (0-3) was lively throughout, while substitute Alex O’Herlihy (0-3) made a strong impact off the bench. Further contributions came from Ciarán Garvey (0-1), Conor Downing (0-1), and Riain Coakley (0-1) in a polished team performance that yielded 4-23 from play.
Defensively, Cork were equally impressive, with Conor Downing (0-1) anchoring the backline and limiting Clare’s scoring chances throughout.
Clare battled to the end, with Liam Keane (0-5, 0-4f) and Seán O’Callaghan (0-2, incl. one two-pointer) leading their scoring, while contributions also came from Cillian Killeen (0-1), Ronan Cotter (0-1), Tadhg Dillon (0-1), Ronan Kelly (0-1), and Ronan Brady (0-1).
The result leaves Cork in a strong position ahead of their next Phase 2 fixture away to Kerry in Tralee.
CORK:
R Twohig (Kilmeen); C O’Riordan (Blarney), G Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), C Garvey (St Finbarr’s, 0-1); D O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), C Downing (Adrigole, 0-1), E Lynch (Ballincollig); K O’Shea (Urhan), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels, 0-3, 1 two-pointer); E Ahern (Carrigaline, 0-3), B Hegarty (Ballinora, 0-4, 0-2f), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt, 1-2); T Whooley (Clonakilty, 1-5), J Barry (Aghinagh, 1-0), D Herlihy (Shamrocks, 1-2).
Subs: D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for B Hegarty (h-t); A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s, 0-3) for J Barry (42); R Coakley (Éire Óg, 0-1) for D Herlihy (46); P Kelly (Naomh Abán) for C Murphy (46); M Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for T Whooley (50).
CLARE:
C Griffin; G Browne, S Neenan, T O’Loughlin; E Soffe, C Killeen (0-1), S O’Neill; S Cahill, J Lavin; R Cotter (0-1), Z O’Shea, T Dillon (0-1); R Kelly (0-1), L Keane (0-5, 0-4f), S O’Callaghan (0-2, 1 two-pointer).
Subs: P Neylon for E Cahill (10–12, blood); P Neylon for C Killeen (28); J Greene for J Lavin (h-t); T Bane for Z O’Shea (h-t); D Healy for E Soffe (42); R Brady (0-1) for T Dillon (49).