Cork 1-23
Clare 1-21
Stephen Barry reports from TUS Gaelic Grounds
CORK OVERTURNED A ferocious Clare charge with a late scoring burst to earn them a third Munster U20 Hurling title in four years.
Powered by the sharp-shooting of Ben Cunningham (0-9), son of ex-Cork goalie Ger, and captained by goal-scorer Michael Mullins, son of former Rebel forward Mickey, they advance to an All-Ireland final against either Offaly or Wexford.
Ben O’Connor’s charges reeled off six of the final seven points, with Cunningham slotting three and setting up another for Tadhg O’Connell after a sublime pick-up under the noses of the 5,402 fans along the Mackey Stand sideline.
They move outright top of the provincial roll of honour on 22 titles, one clear of Tipperary.
Both sides lined up without their senior stars, Eoin Downey and Adam Hogan, as Clare had the edge in the opening minutes.
They had fine points from Jack O’Neill and Patrick Crotty but once Cork began to stream through the middle, they found themselves in trouble.
William Buckley, Mullins, Colin Walsh, and Cunningham each opened them up with direct running as Cork strung together five points in a row.
Their goal chances would soon follow. Cunningham sent one wide when half-hooked by Oisín Clune and would later force a save from Aaron Shanahan from a close-range free.
In the 13th minute, Mullins picked up the ball on the sideline and his dummy handpass opened up the space. He would give Shanahan no chance, stitching the sliotar to the roof of the net.
That made it 1-7 to 0-5 although Clare stayed in touch through the free-taking of Keith Smyth (0-11).
They also required the rescue work of corner-back Ian MacNamara, who made the first of three goal-saving interventions to deny Walsh after Shanahan had blocked Ben O’Connor’s initial effort.
Cunningham’s 65 moved them six clear, 1-11 to 0-8, but crucially Clare would land the two final points of the half, from Seán Rynne and Oisín O’Donnell.
They continued that scoring streak into the third quarter, blitzing the stunned Rebels for 1-8, with only 0-3 in reply.
Midfielder O’Donnell took his contribution to 0-3 and Smyth kept totting up the frees, while half-time sub Keelan Hartigan added another point.
When their first sight of goal arrived, Clare were clinical. Smyth grabbed the break and fed Rynne to finish.
By the 46th minute, they were four ahead, 1-19 to 1-15.
Cork stuck to their task and slowly began to pull them back, although Clare’s last-ditch defending was holding them out.
MacNamara saved from Jack Leahy with Shanahan beaten and robbed Mullins when through, while Shanahan denied Timmy Wilk and O’Donnell blocked Tadhg O’Connell’s follow-up with his helmet.
But Cork were eating up the opposition puck-out and Clare couldn’t hold out, with Cunningham’s 64th-minute free the insurance score.
Scorers for Cork: Ben Cunningham 0-9 (6f, 1 65), Michael Mullins 1-0, Tadhg O’Connell 0-3, Diarmuid Healy 0-3, William Buckley 0-2, Colin Walsh 0-2, Ross O’Sullivan 0-2, Adam O’Sullivan 0-1, Jack Leahy 0-1.
Scorers for Clare: Keith Smyth 0-11 (9f), Seán Rynne 1-1, Oisín O’Donnell 0-3, Jack O’Neill 0-2, Patrick Crotty 0-2, Keelan Hartigan 0-1, Niall O’Farrell 0-1.
Cork
1. Brion Saunderson (Midleton)
4. Darragh O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig), 3. Shane Kingston (Ballinora), 7. Mark Howell (Douglas)
9. Michael Mullins (Whitechurch, captain), 6. Ben O’Connor (St Finbarr’s), 5. James Dwyer (Ballincollig)
2. Seán Daly (Randal Óg), 8. Tadhg O’Connell (Ballincollig)
11. Ben Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), 14. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), 10. William Buckley (St Finbarr’s)
15. Ross O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), 13. David Cremin (Midleton), 12. Colin Walsh (Kanturk)
Subs
20. Timmy Wilk (Cobh) for Daly (h-t)
22. Adam O’Sullivan (Ballinhassig) for Cremin (32 inj)
23. Jack Leahy (Dungourney) for Walsh (37)
Clare
1. Aaron Shanahan (Tulla)
3. John Conneally (Clooney-Quin, captain), 7. Oran Cahill (Éire Óg Ennis), 4. Ian MacNamara (Killanena)
2. Oisín Clune (Feakle), 6. Daithí Lohan (Wolfe Tones Na Sionna), 23. Keelan Hartigan (Scariff)
8. Seán Rynne (Inagh-Kilnamona), 10. Oisín O’Donnell (Crusheen)
14. Senan Dunford (Tubber), 9. Jack O’Neill (Clooney-Quin), 11. Patrick Crotty (Scariff)
15. Gearóid Sheedy (Ogonnolloe), 12. Keith Smyth (Killanena), 13. David Kennedy (Sixmilebridge)
Subs
21. Niall O’Farrell (Broadford) for Sheedy (h-t)
18. Colm Cleary (O’Callaghan’s Mills) for Kennedy (40)
22. Diarmaid Stritch (Clonlara) for Dunford (54)
5. Ja Collins (Éire Óg Ennis) for Clune (59)
20. Conor Whelan (Whitegate) for O’Donnell (60)
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)
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RIP niall,brilliant young hurler gone too soon
Awful news… RIP.
Sad sad news… Rest in peace
I never seen a player like Henry sheflin getting so well marked like Niall did in 2012. So sad Rip.
That is awful news. My prayers go out to him and his family.
Something so wrong about a person that young dying. Thoughts go out to his family at this the most horrible time in their lives.
Shocking sad news put everything in to second place. No answer to news like this RIP
Does it matter how this young man lost his life? He is gone. It is a huge loss to his family. God bless them in this darkest of times. Press the red thumb if you like. I for one couldn’t care less. I’m sure what is written here whether narrow minded or supportive, will not dent that family’s grief by one iota. So sad to hear of this.
I agree it doesn’t matter how he died. If it was suicide, if his death helps one person seek help. If it’s from a heart condition or due to S.A.D.S is there enough tests being done?? Either way it’s a young life gone way to early. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P
Of course it matter how he die, you can’t just sweep this national tragity under the carpet and bury your head in the sand. There is a problem here that needs to be addressed. You can’t go through life saying “I don’t care less”. Well you can, I guess, but you shouldn’t.
“I couldn’t care less” was aimed at those pressing the red thumb for people airing their condolences not about how this fine young man died. I apologise for not clarifying this. Either way, still a sad loss. God bless his family.
What a great hurler .its sickening to hear this news .to his family and friends and the club and county teams my condolences.a great Galway man and a great talent .rip
Too young… May he continue to have a good time wherever he may be now.
He will be a huge loss to Galway hurling. R.I.P Niall.
R.I.P.
RIP Niall
Such sad news so tragic, all becoming so common now a days tho unfortunately, thoughts and prayers with his family friends and team mates RIP
Why does anyone down vote condolences I don’t understand. Wonderful player
Jimmy those people can’t read they only know how to press red thumb down
With a username like Jimmy Saville you’re in no position to be judging people
I remember being at Croke park with my Father watching Gaillimh get hammered by the Kilkenny back in 2012. He was playing. Such a beautiful young son of Éireann. May he rest in peace.
Very sad R.I.P.
So sad. So young. What happened to him? Praying for the family.
Ah dear that is so sad, I hope his family and friends find some strength.
@dave, nothing in article suggests suicide or any other cause such as sudden adult death syndrome.
A journalist from the Examiner mentioned that it was suicide on twitter last night and The Samaritans are tweeting that they are there if anyone needs to talk in a tweet that mentions him. RIP.
Seemingly by his own hand sadly RIP
Too many fit young men passing like this , it so wrong and so sad May he R.I.P
Tragic…..poor family….and yet according to the Taoiseach we dont have a rising problem in Ireland……its happening way too often & sonething needs to be done to get support & help groups set up country wide. Thoughts are with this young man & his family. RIP.
To think some lowlife gave me a thumbs down for that comment is a disgrace,god love them and their narrow mind,or do they have one.
RIP and god help his poor family.
What is happening with young sportsmen dying so young. I would have thought it was auld fellas like me who get little exercise that would be the first to go, not young men in their twenties.
He gave some exhibition in the Leinster hurling final 2012. God bless him, his family and friends from a Galway hurling family in Australia.
How can any1 thumbs down comments?? Goes to show how pathetic some people are!!! Tragic loss of a young man gone way too soon, R.I.P
Yes Ann Marie they are pathetic sad people in here. They have no life other than to criticise and make stupid comments. This young mans family need respect for the terrible tragedy. RIP
Omg! Shocking! Struggling to believe this. Rip.
Have none of you lot ever heard of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome? . . . . Maybe this was how he died, hate people jumping to the conclusion that it was suicide or drugs just because he was otherwise young and healthy.
No one mentioned drugs or suicide. R i p
There was previous comments that gave thankfully been removed. Not useful to speculate in this situation as it’s not going to change anything
It may not but brushing it under the carpet is not the answer. Suicide is a scourge across communities all over Ireland. People need to be talking about finding solutions and getting people the help they need.
Yes but not when we haven’t any facts either way in this case.Why potientially pile more pain onto his family. Let’s just wait and see first .
There was no jumping to conclusions, that is what occurred. Why the Irish media refuse to use the word suicide is beyond me. It could possibly help others.
Facts or no facts a young man is dead. Nor should there be any wait and see .Please show respect for his grieving and very loving family. Rest in peace young star of the hurling field. Prayers for you and all whom you loved.
Not trying to speculate but it seems a growing number of athletes around the world are dying through undiscovered heart problems or sever dehydration/electrolyte imbalance. Wonder if there is constructive action that can be taken to minimise these problems.
RIP,far too many have gone too early .
RIP & tkx for the hurling skills you shared with us Niall.
A very talented and athletic player, God obviously needed a brilliant wing back for his team, Rest In Peace Niall
RIP : Sad news : condolences to his Family.
Rip will be really missed
So Young, May he RIP.
I can’t get my head around this. .
So sad. My condolences go out to his friends and family.
Was and would have been a marvellous hurler – some of the saddest news this year r.i.p.
Very sad… Rip
R.I.P. so sad.
Unbelievably tragedy.
RIP
RIP Niall and condolences to his family, friends, teammates and Galway GAA from a Mayo man. Tragic deaths like this certainly put loosing All Irelands into perspective.
Tragic. R.I.P. deepest sympathy to his family and friends x
very sad so much to live for and we will never understand why
R.I.P. Niall Donoghue – Kilkenny supporter
RIP young man.
Gone too soon…. Thoughts and prayers go to his family,friends and clubmates. Heaven has gained another angel xx
RIP Niall
News now saying found dead in tragic circumstances
So very very Sad R.I.P
RIP very sad news
Terribly sad news. RIP and condolences to his family.
More and more of these sad cases popping up. Are athletes these days being put through too much physical training? Is there too much of an emphasis on being ultra fit?
Such a tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family & friends.
Rest in Peace Niall
So so sad! RIP.
That is just so wrong. Poor guy. May he rest in peace
Very sad news ,may he rest in peace.My thoughts and prayers with his Family at this sad time .
So sad. He was taken too soon. May he Rest In Peace
Go ndéana Dia trocaire air. Cailliúint mhór eile.
Why! Why! Why! So very very sad. May he now be at peace
Rest in peace champ, be sorely missed!!
Niall May you rest in peace such a sad sad loss
Very sad for all friends. The best, die soon.
God bless you niall rip