Results
McGrath Cup
- Cork 2-10 Clare 0-8
Munster hurling league
- Clare 1-24 Waterford 2-19
Dr McKenna Cup
- Down 3-9 Derry 1-15…Derry win 3-2 on penalties
Walsh Cup
- Offaly 2-14 Wexford 1-20
- Laois 2-21 Kilkenny 3-31
*****
CORK BOOKED THEIR place in the McGrath Cup final with a victory over Clare this afternoon by eight points.
In a match that was switched to Quilty, John Cleary saw his team win out 2-10 to 0-8 to set up a pre-season final against Limerick on Wednesday 18 January at 7pm at a venue still to be confirmed.
Steven Sherlock inspired Cork with his return of 1-6, three points scored from frees, while his full-forward line colleagues Chris Óg Jones (1-1) and Brian Hurley (0-3) contributed the rest of Cork’s scoring tally. Keelan Sexton (0-3) and Eoin Cleary (0-2) provided Clare’s main source of scores from frees.
Cork were ahead 0-6 to 0-3 at the midway mark but Clare fought back to move within touching distance on the scoreboard at 0-8 to 0-6. But goals from St Finbarr’s player Sherlock in the 52nd minute and Iveleary forward Jones in the 67th minute, rounded off Cork’s win as they built on their opening pre-season success against Kerry.
Elsewhere there was success for Clare in the Munster hurling league, as they defeated Waterford 1-24 to 2-19 in Ennis.
Aidan McCarthy was their top scorer with 0-10 while Mark Rodgers struck 0-4 and Aron Shanagher scored 1-1 for the Banner. Stephen Bennett tried to lead the way for Waterford with 1-8, while Michael Kiely weighed in with 1-3.
Clare’s second-half performance was the difference as they amassed 1-17 to help Brian Lohan’s team get the better of a Waterford side who had Davy Fitzgerald overseeing matters.
In the Dr McKenna Cup a penalty shootout was required before Derry saw off Down 3-2 in Páirc Esler in Newry.
The teams finished level at Down 3-9 Derry 1-15 at the close of the action before the shootout took place. The outcome will see Derry face Tyrone in next Saturday’s final, the teams having draw in Owenbeg last Wednesday night.
Down missed their first three penalties while Derry also missed two, but successful spot kicks from Shane McGuigan, Paul Cassidy and Conor Doherty propelled Rory Gallagher’s side into the final.
Niall Donnelly bagged two goals for Down with Ceilum Doherty also finding the net, while Cassidy raised Derry’s green flag. Niall Toner and McGuigan shot 0-5 apiece for the reigning Ulster champions.
The Walsh Cup action today saw victories in Round 2 for Wexford and Kilkenny.
Wexford saw off Offaly by 1-20 to 2-14 with Ross Banville scoring 0-9 for the winners, while Lee Chin struck their goal. David Nally and Oisin Kelly grabbed the Offaly goals.
Derek Lyng’s Kilkenny team defeated Laois by 3-31 to 2-21. Billy Drennan was their top scorer with 2-4 while Gearoid Dunne scored 1-2.
Ross King and Stephen Bergin were the Laois goalscorers.
More to follow…
I think considering the circumstances, Dillane could have been relased
@jay bernard: wouldn’t look good for Andy Farrell if one of the starting locks picks up
an injury and Dillane is playing with Connacht
Even if Gallagher was fit it would be something. Would any other province be left with one squad lock and one academy lock? Surely they should be allowed a medical joker? This is a huge game in regards the pool too
That weakened second row likely to cost Connacht you’d think? Murray is still very raw and even though Maksymiw has shown up more this season together they are big step down from Dillane, Roux and Thornbury.
I haven’t seen Jonny Murphy this season I think? I’ll be interested to see how he goes when he comes in, I guess a lot of that will depend on how the game is going at that point.
Interesting to see Eoghan Masterson back on the bench, no word on whether he is extending his contract or throwing his lot in with Scotland?
@Darragh Murray: absolutely will, squad wise Edinburgh have a massive edge especially at home. Murray is talentrd but physically a couple of years away from being ready for this level. Really disappointed that Copeland is yet again not listed in a Connacht squad. Utter waste of talent, at his best he should have been pushing Heaslip for the Ireland jersey but since Cardiff he’s been real flanker injury / attitude wise…
Edinburgh are a top top side even without their international contingent. Can’t see anything other than an Edinburgh win.
Copeland injured?
@s mc: isn’t he always? Either that or again out-of-favour, although I’d have thought he could have done a job in the second row for this one. Connacht unlikely to beat Edinburgh away with Maksymiw and Murray at second row.
@David Finn:
I like Murray as a player but he is still fierce light… Bundi weights more than him and he is 8 inches taller. I think he is only a few months out of playing for the U20 this season again…
I think Joe is improving but he is in tough position that our main three 2nd rows are international class. Thornbury has everything but the cap, injury has been his curse.
IT is a big game for the two of them but they are surrounded with our best and they can make a name for themselves. Good Luck…
Jesus, that’s a big Edinburgh pack compare to Connaughts.
@Harry O’Callaghan:
Connacht is giving away an average of a stone a man…. Second rows alone are giving over 5 stone… Lineouts and open field running lads, less of the scrums..