Cork 1-20
Clare 1-8

CORK WERE ALWAYS in control as they eased past Clare and moved into the Munster senior football final at Páirc Uí Rinn this afternoon.

Leading by 0-10 to 0-4 at half-time, the hosts added five further points before Clare registered another score.

While Cathal O’Connor did get a second-half goal for the Banner, Donncha O’Connor’s penalty ensured that the Rebels’ considerable breathing space was restored and they comfortably saw out the game.

Clare will reflect on the goal chance captain Gary Brennan shot wide inside 15 seconds of the start but, though the Banner were 0-2 to 0-1 in front after Pat Burke’s seventh-minute point, Cork really asserted themselves after that.

Brian O’Driscoll, Donncha O’Connor (two), Brian Hurley and Colm O’Neill were all on target in an uninterrupted scoring burst while O’Neill will feel he should have goaled on 18 minutes, firing just wide.

Cathal O’Connor’s point for Clare on 28 did bring them back to within three points, 0-7 to 0-4, but two O’Neill frees gave Cork the six-point half-time cushion and they put the game to bed upon the restart.

Clare's Podge Collins speaks to Cork's Colm O'Neill after the game. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Again, Clare had a goal chance early in the half, Keelan Sexton shooting wide on this occasion, but Cork were clinical in front of goal. The score was 0-16 to 0-5 when Cathal O’Connor profited from Eoin Cleary’s lay-off to fire past Ken O’Halloran, but Cork responded well again.

They won a penalty when Mark Collins’ shot was foot-blocked by Kevin Hartett and Donncha O’Connor slotted past Joe Hayes. Sub John Hayes added a couple of Cork points and a total of 12 separated the teams at the end.

Conor Dorman has hit shot saved by Clare goalkeeper Joe Hayes James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Scorers for Cork: Donncha O’Connor 1-5 (1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), Colm O’Neill 0-5 (0-4 frees), Mark Collins, John Hayes (0-1 free), Brian O’Driscoll, Paul Kerrigan 0-2 each, Brian Hurley, Fintan Goold 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Cathal O’Connor 1-2 (0-1 45), Gary Brennan 0-2 (0-1 free), Dean Ryan, Jamie Malone, Pat Burke, David O’Halloran 0-1 each.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Cork

1. Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)

2. Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)
3. Michael Shields (St Finbarr’s)
4. James Loughrey (Mallow)

5. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
6. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)
7. Barry O’Driscoll (Nemo Rangers)

8. Alan O’Connor (St Colum’s)
9. Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)

10. Colm O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)
11. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
12. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)

13. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
14. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
15. Donnhcha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)

Subs
22. Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig) for Hurley (49)
21. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues) for Alan O’Connor (54)
20. Fintan Goold (Macroom) for Colm O’Driscoll (54)
18. Tomás Clancy (Fermoy) for Dorman (57)
24. John Hayes (Carbery Rangers) for Donncha O’Connor (60)
26. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael) for O’Neill (68)

Donncha O'Connor in action for Cork against Clare. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Clare

1. Joe Hayes (Lissycasey)

5. Shane Hickey (Kimurry-Ibrickane)
2. Ciarán Russell (Éire Óg)
3. Kevin Hartnett (Meelick)

7. Dean Ryan (Éire Óg)
6. Gordon Kelly (St Josheph’s, Miltown Malbay)
4. Martin McMahon (Kimurry-Ibrickane)

8. Gary Brennan (Clondegad)
9. Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen)

12. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibrickane)
11. Jamie Malone (Corofin)
10. Seán Collins (Cratloe)

13. Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare)
14. Eoin Cleary (St Joseph’s, Miltown Malbay)
15. Pat Burke (Kilmacud Crokes, Dublin)

Subs
19. Chris Dunning (Wolfe Tones na Sionna) for Donnelly (half-time)
21. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora) for Cleary (53)
23. David O’Halloran (Éire Óg) for Burke (57)

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).

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