Cork 1-12
Clare 2-7
Eoin Brennan reports from Miltown Malbay
BLAKE MURPHY WAS top scorer as Cork eventually advanced to their tenth consecutive Munster decider but only after receiving a real scare from hosts Clare in Miltown Malbay this evening.
In front of a rain-soaked 830 attendance, the Rebels’ first defence of their provincial and All-Ireland U20 crowns was a nervy affair that never seemed comfortable despite holding a six-point cushion entering the final five minutes.
With six of last year’s winning team on show, Cork did begin both halves with confident unanswered surges, kicking 1-2 in the opening 11 minutes of the contest before surpassing that feat on the turnover with a seven point third quarter burst.
However each time they were met head on by an admirable show of defiance from the home side who first rattled off two goals to inch ahead by the break before also kicking the last four points to tee up a grandstand finale.
Led by joint-captains Blake Murphy (0-9) and Mark Cronin (0-2), Cork just about merited their progression to a fifth straight final against Kerry next Wednesday in Tralee (7pm). However, they will require much improvement if they are to double the dose on their oldest rivals after an inconsistent display.
They certainly started in buoyant mood when Blake Murphy’s early brace of frees was capped off by an opportunist goal for Jack Murphy who benefitted from a defensive error to fire to the net from the edge of the square at 1-2 to 0-0 by the 11th minute.
A chastened Clare finally settled with a Shane Meehan free before getting a major shot in the arm at the turn of the opening quarter when Mark McInerney intercepted a kick-out and played the ball through Meehan to the waiting Emmet McMahon to billow the net at 1-2 to 1-1.
Murphy and Cronin points sandwiched another glorious goal opportunity for the visitors, only for Cronin’s effort to be stopped by full-forward Fionn Herlihy whose subsequent attempt was also denied by John Murphy.
A relieved Clare would take full advantage as Mark McInerney raided for 1-1 to inch his side in front at 2-2 to 1-4, the goal a superb patient team move that handed the hosts a minimum half-time lead.
With a chance to regroup, Cork stormed into the new half, with Murphy’s five placed balls punishing increased Clare indiscipline to ease 1-11 to 2-02 entering the final quarter.
That six-point cushion was still intact by the 55th minute but there would be one final backlash from the Banner as McInerney (2) and Emmet McMahon toppled the deficit to three by the 61st minute before a last gasp attempt at an equalising goal just cleared the crossbar for Eoin Rouine.
Scorers for Cork: Blake Murphy (0-9, 7f, 1’45, 1m); Jack Murphy (1-0); Mark Cronin (0-2, 1f); Fionn Herlihy (0-1)
Scorers for Clare: Mark McInerney (1-4, 3f); Emmet McMahon (1-1); Shane Meehan (1f), Eoin Rouine (0-1 each)
Cork
1. Josh O’Keeffe (Newmarket)
4. Diarmaid Phelan (Aghada)
3. Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree)
2. Colm O’Shea (Kilshannig)
5. David Buckley (Newcestown)
6. Bill Foley (Bantry Blues)
7. Brian Lynch (Douglas)
8. Jack Lawton (Argideen Rangers)
9. Daniel O’Connell (Kanturk)
10. Jack Murphy (Éire Óg)
11. Aodhán Ó Luasa (Naomh Aban)
12. Brian Hayes (St. Finbarr’s)
13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) (Joint-Captain)
14. Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys)
15. Blake Murphy (St. Vincent’s) (Joint-Captain)
Subs
21. Eanna O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) for Foley (half-time)
19. Eoghan Lehane (Canovee) for Lynch (35)
22. Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers) for Hayes (35)
18. Sean Desmond (Clondrohid) for Phelan (63)
23. Jack Kelleher (Canovee) for Corbett (65 mins)
Clare
1. Tom O’Brien (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
2. Manus Doherty (Éire Óg)
3. Michéal Murray (St Joseph’s Miltown)
4. Ciarán McMahon (Ennistymon)
5. Daniel Walsh (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
6. Cillian Rouine (Ennistymon)
7. Sean Conway (Doonbeg) (Captain)
8. Oisín Looney (St Joseph’s Miltown)
9. Eoin Rouine (Ennistymon)
10. John Murphy (Ennistymon)
11. Emmet McMahon (Kildysart)
12. Thomas Clancy (O’Curry’s)
13. Diarmuid O’Donnell (Kildysart)
14. Shane Meehan (Banner)
15. Mark McInerney (Éire Óg)
Subs
17. Morgan Garry (Clondegad) for O’Donnell (36)
18. Gavin D’Auria (Éire Óg) for Murray (52)
19. Eoghan Thynne (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Clancy (53)
20. Cian McDonough (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for Conway (60)
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
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What a finish by the ox. World class
@Yorkie1892: world class?
@Hon Tipp: world class finish.
@Yorkie1892: ah ok
Loserpool
@Joe Shea: Yeah they’re only the reigning champions. Real losers…
@Joe Shea: tosser
@Joe Shea: Well done Joe, did you come up with that one yourself? I’d say you’ll go far.
@Joe Shea: JOE DON’T JOKE ABOUT LIVERPOOL COS 6 TIMES AND 18 LEAGUE TITLES AND AND AND YNWA LOSERPOOL MORE LIKE WINNERPOOL AM I RIGHT LADS YNWAAAAAA
2 great goals from the Ox. Great to see him finding his form.
City west drama video here https://youtu.be/KtOeI8DE1JE
@Happy entertainment: since comments are closed on it I put video here
@Happy entertainment: youd swear it was downtown Lagos..
@Happy entertainment: I’d stay well clear of buying anywhere in Dublin with the prices haha.
Internazionale against Borussia Dortmund, a massive game, is on. But you’re covering Genk v Liverpool? Are we European or English?
@Philip Farrell: why even pose the question? The 42 is a business. This coverage will get more views and comments (including your one).
@Philip Farrell: Both red teams always get their own match blog here! Even the one that nobody admits to following any more!
@Philip Farrell: last time I checked both Liverpool and Genk were also European.
@The Bloody Nine: No Liverpool are a British football club in the north west of England.
@Philip Farrell: you do understand the basic economics of any business yes?? You know supply v demand and all that, same principles apply in this kinda of media outlet…regardless of what other games are on, Liverpool and UTD matches will always garner 50x more interest among Irish people. Also dont get the Europe reference, fairly certain Liverpool and Gent are in Europe. It is a European competition after all…
@Alan Brazil: and Genk is a football club located in the north-east of Belgium… both part of Europe.
@The Bloody Nine: Yes, you must be British and European and from Liverpool if you support them then.
@Alan Brazil: cold under that bridge tonight Al?
@Alan Brazil: you can be from anywhere and support whoever, Alan.
@Alan Brazil: and you are a lovely chap from a country in the north of Great Britain. :)
@Alan Brazil: and that’s not in Europe…I’ve seen it all now!!!!!!!!!!!
@Seaniecp: Yep, because Paddy is a Brit, not a European
Wow! Some goal in the RB Leipzig game!
Dont care much for Liverpool but what a goal by Chamberlin. That was ridiculous technique.
@Ottomaaan: Ridiculous? No need to be derisory about it. I think it was a fantastic finish myself- far from ridiculous. ( …as I slink off now, having aired my pedantic fury at the bizarre new-age approach with the social media generation of using “ridiculous” in a complimentary context. Along with “sick”, as also a popular alternative. I reckon we’re only one step away from someone saying “that goal was pure leukaemia” or some such nonsense…lol)
@David O Callaghan: thought you said you weren’t going to watch anymore soccer
@David O Callaghan: jesus David sit down and have a beer will you…
Who in VAR decides on the split second to press the button to decide on offside. It is a complete joke to see that Genk goal disallowed.
@Sheila Teehan: was it offside?
@Sheila Teehan: You’re right. All offside goals should be allowed.
Arbeitsseig as Jürgen put it..workman like performance..didn’t start like this…at least he focused in on the main problem and that was the sloppy loss of possession which was the only launch strategy Genk had. Whilst I like some of the clever touches by Firmino, Keita and Mane, it is by these transitions that will eventually undo Liverpool to more clinical sides. They are the most difficult to defend against…Klopp said it..we ALL know it. The conundrum Liverpool have is in trying to be more direct without overusing the ‘clever’ flicks. I was more impressed with Chelsea’s performance in Amsterdam…just being honest…