LAST UPDATE | 28 Jul 2021
Cork 1-26
Limerick 1-24
ANOTHER PULSATING NIGHT of Munster underage hurling culminated in Cork withstanding a ferocious Limerick comeback to retain their provincial U20 crown.
Heading down the stretch, Cork looked to be in control of this game as they gripped a six-point advantage. But Limerick wrestled back the momentum, inspired by Diarmuid Hegarty firing home a goal in the 52nd minute after he was spotted in space by Bryan Nix.
Then Cathal O’Neill, who finished with a stunning total of 0-16, rattled off three points from frees in succession and the teams were tied by the 58th minute. Cork had hit some turbulence but they steadied themselves. O’Neill was just off target with a free to edge Limerick ahead and in injury-time Cork mounted another scoring burst.
Padraig Power and Darragh Flynn, who hit a combined 1-17 between them overall, supplied vital points while substitute Ben Cunningham, who made a real impression, swung over his second of the game. O’Neill knocked over a free in between but Cork held on to book an All-Ireland final spot against Galway on the weekend of 7-8 August.
It creates a chance for Cork to land a second successive All-Ireland title, after only winning the 2020 final earlier this month against Dublin. Their form in the middle section of tonight’s match was critical as they outscored Limerick by 0-18 to 0-9 between the 22nd and 52nd minutes. They came close to a second goal during the third quarter, Padraig Power and Robbie Cotter denied by the Limerick rearguard, and that allowed Limerick to stay in touch until the finish.
Cork’s prospects were injected with hope early on, Power surging through after two minutes and finishing deftly to the net. But Limerick backed by a hefty breeze were not rattled and grew to dictate the contest. In a spell either side of the break, they won the scoring battle 0-7 to 0-2.
Their leading attacking prospect Cathal O’Neill showcased his outstanding ability from frees. He landed 0-9 from that source in the first half, while Diarmuid Hegarty, younger brother of senior figure Gearoid, chipped in with two scores from play. Cork had an accurate free-taker themselves, Flynn chipping in with seven in the opening period.
Pat Ryan’s charges finished the half stronger, outscoring Limerick 0-8 to 0-3 after the 22nd minute. Brian Hayes began to dominate the game with his aerial ability in the half-forward line and he picked off two points. Power shot another brace before the interval and Cotter was lively alongside him in attack.
It was 1-13 to 0-14 in Cork’s favour at the interval, while by the second-half water break they had stretched ahead 1-21 to 0-19. Flynn caught fire from open play while in their defence Ethan Twomey and Ciaran Joyce excelled.
Limerick came thundering into the game as Hegarty and O’Neill ignited their charge to help them get level. The push to move in front just didn’t materialise as Cork’s underage scene received another boost.
Scorers for Cork: Darragh Flynn 0-12 (0-7f), Padraig Power 1-5, Brian Hayes, Robbie Cotter, Ben Cunningham, Jack Cahalane 0-2 each, Brian O’Sullivan 0-1.
Scorers for Limerick: Cathal O’Neill 0-16 (0-15f), Diarmuid Hegarty 1-3, Adam English, Aidan O’Connor 0-2 each, Bryan Nix 0-1.
Cork
1. Cathal Wilson (Newcestown)
4. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), 3. Dáire O’Leary (Watergrasshill), 2. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers).
7. Kevin Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh), 6. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), 5. Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s).
8. Sam Quirke (Midleton), 9. Brian O’Sullivan (Kanturk).
10. Darragh Flynn (Ballygiblin), 11. Daniel Hogan (Sarsfields), 12. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s).
15. Jack Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 14. Pádraig Power (Blarney), 13. Robbie Cotter (Blackrock).
Subs
23. Ben Cunningham (St Finbarr’s) for Hogan (42)
17. Cillian O’Donovan (Douglas) for O’Leary (inj) (49)
21. Micheál Mullins (Whitechurch) for O’Sullivan (52)
22. Luke Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Cotter (53)
Limerick
1. Conor O’Neill (Ballybrown)
2. Chris Thomas (Doon), 3. Pádraig Harnett (Ahane), 4. Michael Keane (Adare).
5. Emmet McEvoy (Na Piarsaigh), 6. Colin Coughlan (Ballybrown), 7. Cormac Ryan (Doon).
8. Jimmy Quilty (Blackrock – captain), 9. Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell).
12. Adam English (Doon), 11. Cathal O’Neill (Crecora Manister), 10. Diarmuid Hegarty (St Patrick’s).
13. Bryan Nix (Newcastle West), 14. Aidan O’Connor (Ballybrown), 15. Ronan Fox (Ahane).
Subs
24. Ethan Hurley (Newcastle West) for Ryan (32)
20. Fergal O’Connor (Effin) for Keane (41)
17. Patrick Kirby (Patrickswell) for Downes (43)
19. Eddie Stokes (Doon) for Fox (52)
Referee: Kevin Jordan (Tipperary)
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Brilliant win from Cork despite being rode by the ref. UTR.
@Declan Mc Carthy: rode is an understatement. All Limerick had to do was to get near the ball and they got a free. Cork nearly threw it away themselves then by going for so many goals and missing some great chances.
@Cormac Flanagan: Suppose it depends on whether you’re wearing red tinted glasses or not . Cork deserved the win but got panicky when the momentum swung and starting giving away alot more frees . The ref could easily have added another couple of minutes …
@Declan Mc Carthy: Ye whinge whether ye win or lose
@col c: im from neither cork or limerick. Limerick got about 5 very very soft frees in the second half espically near the end.
@Cormac Flanagan: Very debatable but anyway what does it matter …..
@Declan Mc Carthy: 22 frees to 10 says it all really
@Declan Mc Carthy: it was evident after first water break so I gave up counting after that
Ref certainly gave Limerick a few soft frees especially in second half. Leaving that aside its been a good few weeks for Cork hurling underage. U20s winning 2020 all Ireland, minor success and tonight’s win. Rebels abú!!!!
@Diarmuid #STAYATHOME: jaysus are ye ever happy? As a limerick man, Cork were the better side, they nearly threw it away though. Cork lad could have got red for one armed swing on the limerick players head,, if I want to be picky! But no arguments with the result, now go win it
@Chris Tobin: I agree
@Chris Tobin: so you can only complain if you lose? Kind of hypocritical saying cork supporters shouldn’t complain and then you complain lol. Plus that was never a red card, he played the ball but misjudged it. There was no malice in it.
Ref favoured limerick cork miles better
@Tony Mcgrath: I expected him to give a penalty when Limerick had their last attack. Blatant favouritism
Regarding the Cork player who went down for a couple of minutes in injury time. I’ve no problem with gamesmanship or players wanting to waste time. God knows I’d want a Limerick lad to do the same if we were two points ahead with time almost up. It’s part of the game. What i do expect however is the ref to add the requisite time for it. There was clearly another 2-3 minutes extra to be added for that stoppage. Ref played barely 30 seconds for it.
None the less, Cork were excellent tonight and deserved their win. Flynn, Hayes, Cotter, Power, Cahalane all brilliant players. Our lads died with their boots on and fought to the end, they could have easily stole it at the end with a bit more luck. I couldn’t have asked any more from them and am proud of their efforts. Congrats to Cork again.
@Colm: thanks bud
@Colm: very well said, ridiculous timekeeping by the ref, fair play Cork and well done Limerick but come on ref, get the simple things right man.
Young cahalane and Hayes for cork are serious hurlers. Be senior next year no doubt
@Finbarr O Donovan: Darragh Flynn is very good also. Jack Cahalane was on the minor football team that won in 2019 so he has another year at this level but he has some vision and turn of pace. Not sure if Hayes and Flynn are U20 again next year.
If a player is young enough again next year I’d leave him off the senior panel to let him mature physically.
@TL55: cahalane basically left everyone for dead tonight. Plus we showed more physicality tonight than our seniors ever do. I know its not the same level but I’d love to see our seniors show some grit
@Finbarr O Donovan: Couldn’t agree more Finbarr. Cork are showing some fierce work rate and intensity underage. UTR
@Harry Corry: 100%. Defensive work rate from our underage forwards when the opposition backs have possession is terrific. If our seniors had that consistently we’d be very hard to beat.
Cork were brilliant tonight and thoroughly deserved the win,the amount of whinging about the ref is shocking. Can ye not enjoy the victory of a bunch of young lads that might win senior all Irelands someday
@Pete mc pete: ref was awful. He kept Limerick in it. Just because you are from Limerick doesn’t mean you can be patronising and say cork supporters shouldn’t complain. Cork were stronger team, would have won by much more if they took their goal chances.
The rebels are coming to get you. Now for the two minors.
Cork need to play these guys in the seniors