Cork 5-8
Limerick 2-12

REIGNING CHAMPIONS CORK had to withstand a strong challenge by home side Limerick before prevailing in last night’s Eirgrid Munster U21FC quarter-final in the Gaelic Grounds and the success sets up a semi-final at home to Kerry next Wednesday.

Cork’s ability to plunder goals proved crucial with Darragh Murphy, Sean O’Donoghue and Peter Kelleher netting as they went in front 3-4 to 0-8 at half-time.

A Cian Sheehan goal helped Limerick draw level during the second-half but Cork pulled clear thanks to further green flags being raised by Ryan Harkin and Killian McIntyre.

Cork were forced to start with senior players Ian Maguire and Brian O’Driscoll, who have both been hampered by injuries recently, but both did come on during the game. Kevin Davis was another sub to make an impression when introduced while Harkin and Cathal Vaughan struck 1-5 between them.

Cork got off to a lightning start with goals from Murphy and O’Donoghue but Limerick fought back with a series of points. Evan Quinlan and Kevin Moore hit 0-4 apiece for them during the game and they had drawn level in the opening period before a Kelleher goal saw Cork go in front by five points at the break.

Limerick had real hope when Sheehan netted in the second-half as they drew level at 3-6 to 1-12 but they couldn’t build on that and Cork’s goalscoring ability proved crucial in the end. Limerick grabbed a late goal from Cillian Fahy yet ultimately exited the championship at the opening hurdle.

Scorers for Cork: Ryan Harkin 1-2, Cathal Vaughan 0-3, Sean O’Donoghue, Peter Kelleher, Killian McIntyre, Darragh Murphy 1-0 each, Kevin Davis 0-2, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1.

Scorers for Limerick: Evan Quinlan, Kevin Moore 0-4 each, Cian Sheehan 1-1, Cillian Fahy 1-0, Chris Smith, Tony McCarthy, Jason Mullins 0-1 each.

Cork

1. Michael Martin (Nemo Rangers)

2. Dylan Quinn (St. Finbarrs)
3. Jamie Davis (Douglas) Captain
4. Stephen Cronin (Nemo Rangers)

5. Tomas O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
6. Sean White (Clonakilty)
7. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)

8. Darragh Murphy (Valley Rovers)
9. Ian Maguire (St. Finbarrs)

10. Alan O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers)
11. Conor Horgan (Nemo Rangers)
12. Ryan Harkin (Mallow)

13. Cathal Vaughan (Iveleary)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
15. Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

Subs
Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for Crowley, b-c (9)
Kevin Davis (O’Donovan Rossa) for Andrew Murphy (17)
Dan O’Callaghan (Clyda Rovers) for Darragh Murphy (36)
Brian O’Driscoll (Tadgh MacCarthaigh) for Horgan (41)
Michael McSweeney (Newcestown) for Quinn, b-c (49)
Cillian McIntyre (Carrigaline) for Vaughan (54)

Limerick

1. James O’Meara – Fr. Casey’s

2. Shane Cusack – Monaleen
3. Stephen Cahill – Mountcollins
4. Sean Barrett – Bruff

5. Chris Smith – Fr. Casey’s
6. Cillian Fahy – Dromcollogher/Broadford
7. Tony McCarthy – Kildimo/Pallaskenry

8. William O’Donoghue – Na Piarsaigh
9. Gearoid Hegarty – St. Patrick’s

10. Evan Quinlan – Monaleen
11. Cian Sheehan – Newcastlewest
12. Killian Ryan – Mungret

13. Kevin Moore – Glin
14. Jack English – Adare
15. Jason Mullins – St Patrick’s

Subs
James Naughton (St Senans) for English (38)
Keelan Stephenson (St Patricks) for Ryan (44)
Gavin Reidy (Newcastle West) for Quinlan (53)
Daniel Daly (Fr Caseys) for Moore (59)

Referee: Sean Joy (Kerry)

Clare's Jamie Malone. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Clare 2-11
Waterford 0-3

CLARE WILL TRAVEL to face Tipperary at the semi-final stage of the Eirgrid Munster U21FC after they cruised to a comfortable win at home to Waterford in last night’s quarter-final tie in Miltown Malbay.

Jamie Malone’s first-half goal after good work by Martin O’Leary helped propel Clare into a 1-4 to 0-2 interval lead. Malone bagged a second goal after half-time and Clare ran out victors by 14 points at the final whistle.

Senior player Malone struck 2-1 from his midfield berth while close to goal the pair of Keelan Sexton and Eimhin Courtney caused major problems as they shared out 0-8 between them.

Waterford struggled for scores on the night and Seamus Keating grabbed their only point of the second-half.

Clare brought on All-Ireland U21 winner and current senior hurler Conor Cleary and he notched a point as the Banner claimed an impressive victory.

Scorers for Clare: Jamie Malone 2-1, Keelan Sexton 0-5 (0-3f), Eimhin Courtney 0-3, Conor Cleary, Paddy O’Malley (0-1f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: Conor Gleeson, Conor Murray, Seamus Keating 0-1 each.

Clare

1. Killian Normoyle (Lissycasey)

2. Cian O’Mahoney (Doonbeg)
3. Jack O’Dea (Kilfenora)
4. Conor Brennan (Éire óg – Captain)

5. Darren Nagle (Liscannor)
6. Conor O’Brien (Doora-Barefield)
7. Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora)

8. Dara Walsh (Éire óg)
9. Jamie Malone (Corofin)

10. Liam Corry (Éire óg)
11. Paddy O’Malley (Éire Óg)
12. Dale Masterson (St Breckan’s)

13. Martin O’Leary (Kilmihil)
14. Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
15. Eimhin Courtney (Éire Óg)

Subs
Eoin Hanrahan (Doora-Barefield) for Walsh (half-time)
Maccon Byrne (St Breckan’s) for Corry (36)
Conor Cleary (Miltown) for Masterson (39)
Jim Downes (O’Curry’s) for Sexton (54)
Eoin O’Connor (Coolmeen) for Malone (57)

Waterford

1. David Whitty (Gaultier)

2. Stephen Dalton (De La Salle)
3. Conor Walsh (Rathgormack)
4. Jamie de Barún (An Rinn)

5. Jack Mullaney (Stradbally)
6. Tom Devine (Modeligo)
7. Jonathan Fenton (Bunmahon)

8. Dermot Ryan (The Nire)
9. Seamus Keating (Ardmore)

10. Michael Curry (Rathgormack)
11. Ferghal Ó Cuirrín (An Rinn)
12. Jason Curry (Rathgormack)

13. Conor Murray (Rathgormack)
14. Jason Gleeson (Rathgormack)
15. Conor Gleeson (The Nire)

Subs
Liam Mulligan (Rathgormack) for Fenton (42)
Paul O’Connor (Clashmore-Kinsalebeg) for Curry (44)
Brian Looby (Ballinacourty) for Mullaney (48)
Caomhán McGuire (Gaultier) for Gleeson (52)
Michael Troy (Modeligo) for Ó Cuirrín (59)
Kenneth Brazil (The Nire) for Murray (59)

- This article was originally published on 11 March at 21.07pm

Tony Kelly man-of-the-match as UL celebrate Fitzgibbon Cup final replay win over WIT

Four goals help Mayo win in Connacht U21FC as Leitrim player suffers serious neck injury