Clare outclassed by Cork

Cork 3-15
Clare 1-6

The gulf in class between the big two, Cork and Kerry and the rest in Munster football was highlighted again in Pairc Ui Rinn last evening in the provincial U-21 hurling semi-final.

Clare travelled to Cork confident of causing problems for a highly rated Rebel outfit but after the first ten minutes, the home side established control and went on to score a 15-point win.
On the evening they were a much stronger side and deserved their win. Clare struggled in too many areas and, on far too many occasions, their final pass went astray.
Clare manager Colm Collins was clearly disappointed with the outcome.
“We got as fairly good start but didn’t build on it. We missed a couple of handy chances and they got back into the tie. It’s a huge disappointment,” he said.
When Clare got through for a goal 13 minutes into the game, hopes of a shock result increased. The goal from Darren O’Neill, who rose high to punch a Shane Brennan line ball to the net, put Clare three points clear and things looked good for the visitors.
The score sparked a strong response from the home side and they stepped up their performance considerably which is reflected in the fact that Clare didn’t score for the remainder of the half.
Shortly after the goal, play was held up for a few minutes while Cork midfielder Rory O’Sullivan was attended to. His injury ended his involvement in the game while the delay didn’t help Clare whose early grip on the tie slipped after this.
With the game just inside the final 10 minutes Cork got a vital break and wing-back Jamie Wall applied the finish when shooting low to the corner of Wes De Loughrey’s net.
From here Cork grew in confidence and four points in as many minutes saw them open a five-point lead. Clare were struggling in a number of positions and, as the half-time whistle approached, Paudge Collins and Micheal Malone picked up yellow cards.
Clare should have done better in the opening quarter but despite good ball being played into the full forward line, Clare failed to capitalise. Cork kept a tight rein on danger man Cathal McInerney while target man Darren O’Neill failed to win possession on a number of occasions when Clare looked to have an advantage.
At the other end the movement of the Cork forwards and, particularly Bryan Hurley, caused problems for Clare.
Hopes of a Clare rally were quickly dashed on the resumption when Cork struck for goal number two from Luke Connolly.
It was a real body blow for the Banner County and they never recovered. Mark Sugrue burst through for the home side’s third goal before the end of the third quarter and Cork were on their way to yet another provincial final.
Eamonn Malone played his heart out at full back for Clare but overall Cork dominated in most positions on the evening.

Cork: Sean Mellet; Danny O’Donovan, Damian Cahilane, Alan Cronin; John Cronin, Tom Clancy, Jamie Wall; Rory O’Sullivan, Ruairi Dean; Kevin Hallissey, Mark Sugrue, John O’Rourke; Brian Hurley, Dan McEoin, Luke Connolly.
Subs: Eoin Healy for R O’Sullivan; Brian O’Driscoll for J Cronin; David Drake for Hurley; David Nation for Deane; Conor O’Sulllivan for D O’Donovan.
Scorers: J O’Rourke (0-5); L Connolly (1-2); B Hurley (0-4); M S Sugrue (1-1); J Wall (1-0); D McEoin, D Drake, K Hallissen (0-1 each).

Clare: Wes De Loughrey (Cratloe); Enda Ralph (Ennistymon), Eamonn Malone (Corofin), Martin O’connor (Lissycasey); Seanie Malone (Miltown), Stephen Collins (St Joseph’s), Stephen Tierney (St Breckan’s); Keith O’Connor (Kildysart), Darren O’Neill (Éire Óg); Enda Finnucane (Lissycasey), Conor Ryan (Cratloe); Micheál Malone (Miltown); Cathal McInerney (Cratloe), Shane Brennan (Clondegad, capt), Paudge Collins (Cratloe).
Subs: Matt O’Shea for Ryan; Sean O’Driscoll for M Malone; Craig O’Brien for M O’Connor; Paul Dillon for Collins; Ronan Linnane for Finnucane.
Scorers: Darren O’Neill (1-1); Cathal McInerney (0-2); Seanie Malone, Paul Dillon, Sean O’Driscoll (0-1 each).

Referee: Padraig O’Sullivan (Kerry).