*Evan Cahill battles to hold onto the ball. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
CORK’s blistering start to the second half killed Clare’s hopes of securing a win in their first outing of phase two in the Munster U20 football championship.
Cork 3-16
Clare 1-13
Venue: Páirc Naomh Mhuire, Quilty
When Clare went to the break trailing by five points after playing against a strong breeze in this under 20 Munster football championship (phase 2) tie at Quilty there was an air of expectation amongst Clare followers that the team could win this one.
However a blistering start to the second half by the visitors yielded four points in five minutes and killed Clare hopes.
Clare produced some good football in this tie particularly in the first half when playing against the wind and they have reason to rue some missed chances which, if converted, could have seen them in a better position heading into the second half.
Cork played with the help of a strong breeze in the opening half but they had to wait six minutes for the game’s first score, a point from Alan O’Connell, a late replacement for full forward Edward Myers.
Clare levelled through full forward Colin Riordan before Cork hit a purple patch which yielded goals from Dylan O’Neill and Sean O’Leary.
Clare will be disappointed with the concession of O’Leary’s goal in particular as he raced through from the half back line. 6o find the net for a score which pushed the visitors 2-2 to 0-1 in front.
Clare’s response was impressive, Odhran O’Connelll finding the net a minute after O’Leary’s goal for Cork, a magnificent catch and run by Sean McAllister creating the opportunity.
It was 2-8 to 1-6 at the break and there was concern amongst Cork followers at the game as they would be facing a stiff breeze on the resumption.
They made two changes in personnel at the interval and there was great urgency in their play when the second half got underway. They landed four points in as many minutes and this drew a response from Clare who replaced both corner backs along with introducing Conor Fennell to their attack. The Kilrush man wasn’t in the starting line-up due to injury which resurfaced within a few minutes of his introduction leading to him being forced out of the contest.
Incidentally Clare were also forced into changing their goalkeeper before the throw in with Éire Óg’s Cian Howard called in to replace Eoin Byrne who was ruled out through illness.
It could be argued that this was Clare’s best display to date in this campaign on an evening when Luke Pyne, Sean McAllister and Sean Fennell stood out while Darragh Killeen was another to get through a lot of work.
Clare will be back in action on Tuesday next when they will travel to play Tipperary who were one point winners when he sides met in phase 1 in Thurles.
Tipperary lost to Kerry this week so victory is essential for both sides next week if they are to get back in contention to progress to the knock out stage of the competition
Scorers for Cork: D Miskella 1-4 (1TP), D O’Neill 1-3 (0-1 f), S O’Leary 1-1, B Hayes 0-3 (0-1 f), D Sheedy (0-1 f), A O’Connell 0-2 each, D Harrington 0-1.
Clare: S Fennell 0-5 (0-4 f), O O’Connell 1-0, C Fennell (1TPf), D Killeen 0-2 each, D Culligan (f), C Riordan, D Townsend, L Pyne 0-1 each.
Cork
1: Billly Curtin (Valley Rovers)
2: Niall O’Shea (Urhan)
3: Colin Molloy (Nemo Rangers)
4: Frank Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa)
5: Colin Clifford (Éire Óg)
6: Gearoid Daly (Mallow)
7: Sean O’Leary (Kilmurry)
8: Matthew Woods (Valley Rovers)
9: Colin Gillespie (Aghabullogue)
10: Danny Miskella (Ballincollig)
11: Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues)
12: Aaron O’Sullivan (Aghabullogue)
22: Alan O’Connell (Kildhannig)
13: Bryan Hayes (Nemo Rangers)
15; Dylan O’Neill (Carbery Rangers)
Subs:
21: Darragh Cllifford (Eire Og) for G. Daly (half time);
20: Dylan Harrington (Clonakilty) for R. Hurley (half time)
14: Timmy Culhane (Carbery Rangers) for B. Hayes (50)
23: Darragh Gough (Clonakilty) for D. Sheedy (50)
18: Kieran McCarthy (Carrigaline) for A. O’Connell (53)
Clare:
16: Cian Howard (Éire Óg)
2: Conor Hill, (Lissycasey)
3: Daire Hill (Lissycasey)
4: Michael Kelly (Lissycasey)
18: Sean Conneally (Ennistymon)
6: Caoimhin O’Donovan, (Corofin)
7: Luke Pyne (Éire Óg)
8: Evan Cahill (Kilmurry Ibrickane)
9: Sean McAllister (Clondegad)
10: Odhran O’Connell (St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield)
11: Sean Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks)
12: Darragh Killeen (Lissycasey)
13: Daire Culligan (Lissycasey)
14: Colin Riordan (Wolfe Tones)
15: Sean McMahon (Banner)
Subs:
17: Ronan Fitzpatrick (St. Breckan’s) for C. Hill (36)
5: Euan Wragg (Lissycasey) for M. Kelly (37)
20: Conor Fennell (Kilrush Shamrocks) for S. McMahon (39)
21: Darragh Townsend (Cooraclare) for O.O’Connell
24: Charlie Hannan (St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield) for C Fennell (inj. 52)
Referee: Jonathan Hayes (Limerick)
