Physically stronger Cork much too good for Clare

Cork    2-12

Clare   1-9

A PHYSICALLY stronger Cork proved too much for a disappointing Clare in theMunster Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday.

While Cork were the favourites, a stronger Clare performance was expected but they failed to match Cork in a number of areas and the writing was on the wall from an early stage.
Clare made three changes from the team, which started against Waterford in Round 1. Stephen O’Halloran, Alan O’Neill and Cathal O’Connell, all members of the extended senior panel over the winter months, replaced Enda Boyce, Conor Cleary and David Reidy. O’Connell was introduced during the second half of the first-round win over Waterford.
Cork had the aid of a very strong breeze in the opening half and hit the front in the third minute when Peter O’Brien converted a 75m free. Mark Kennefick, a dressing-room replacement for Adrian Mannix, doubled their advantage in the sixth minute before Colm Casey dealt Clare a major blow with the first of his two goals. Having won possession near the corner flag on the stand side, he broke past a number of Clare defenders to shoot past Keith Hogan from close range.
After Gary Guilfoyle (twice) and Cathal O’Connell failed to find the target from placed balls for Clare, the free-taking duties were handed to Alan O’Neill and he opened Clare’s account in the 13th minute when he landed a 60m effort. He hit a second two minutes later, this time from 70m. Cork responded with three in-a-row to stretch their advantage to seven as the 20th minute approached.
Clare received a huge boost when full-forward Aidan Lynch grabbed a high delivery before turning and bursting past his opponent to shoot to the net. Substitute Jamie Shanahan followed with a point and the margin was down to three.
Cork held sway for the remainder of the half, adding four points to lead by seven, 1-10 to 1-3 at the halfway point. Shortly before the break, Clare lost full-back Darragh Corry to injury and were forced to make some changes to their defence with Cathal Chaplin moving to the full-back line and Enda Boyce coming into the action.
Niall Arthur took over the free-taking duties for the second half and landed two in the sixth and seventh minutes to give hope to the Banner side’s followers. However, Clare were dealt a killer blow three minutes later, one from which they never recovered. Goalkeeper Keith Hogan and defender Killian Ryan appeared to get their calls mixed up and Colm Casey nipped in to flick the ball to the net.
From here on, Cork were always in control and despite the introduction of Ger Arthur, Dáire Keane and Gearóid O’Connell, Clare couldn’t break down their strong challenge. The Banner side scored the last three points, two coming in injury time and these scores gave a somewhat flattering look to the final scoreline.
Killian Ryan and Stephen O’Halloran worked hard throughout in defence for Clare, as did Jarlath Colleran at midfield. While Aidan Lynch did cause some problems for the winners’ defence, the Clare attack failed to trouble the Leesiders.

Cork: Martin Coleman; John O’Callaghan, Eoin Dillon, Ed Finn; Tadhg Healy, Ross Cashman, Mikey Walsh; John Cronin, Shane McCarthy; Brian Lawton, Peter O’Brien, Stephen Dineen; Colm Casey, Kevin Canty, Mark Kennefick.
Subs: Barry Lawton for Canty (22 minutes), Anthony Watson for Dineen (43 minutes), Brian O’Sullivan for O’Callaghan (56 minutes), Kevin Hallissey for Casey (inj 58 minutes) and Nicky Kelly for McCarthy (60 minutes).
Scorers: Peter O’Brien (0-7, 6f), Colm Casey (2-0); Mark Kennefick (0-2), Martin Coleman (free), Brian Lawton and Anthony Watson (0-1) each.
Frees for: 10; wides:13.
Bookings: Stephen Dineen (4 minutes), Tadhg Healy (25 minutes) and Brian O’Sullivan (59 minutes).
Clare: Keith Hogan (Clooney-Quin); Jack Browne (Ballyea), Darragh Corry (Tulla), Killian Ryan (Ruan); Stephen O’Halloran (Clarecastle), Alan O’Neill (St Joseph’s), Cathal Chaplin (Broadford); Pa Sheehan (Sixmilebridge), Jarlath Colleran (St Joseph’s); Gary Guilfoyle (Feakle), Mikey O’Neill (Kilmaley), Cathal Malone (Ennistymon); Niall Arthur (Inagh-Kilnamona), Aidan Lynch (Ruan), Cathal O’Connell (Clonlara).
Subs: Jamie Shanahan (Sixmilebridge) for Guilfoyle (20 minutes), Enda Boyce (Cratloe) for Corry (inj 24 minutes), Ger Arthur (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Sheehan (43 minutes), Dáire Keane (Kilmaley) for N Arthur (43 minutes) and Gearóid O’Connell (Ballyea) for O’Neill (inj, 53 minutes).
Scorers: Aidan Lynch (1-1), Niall Arthur (1f, 1 65), Cathal O’Connell (1f), Alan O’Neill (2f) and Jamie Shanahan (0-2 each).
Frees for: 14; Wides: 9; 65s: 1.
Bookings: Jack Browne (31 minutes).
Referee: Pat Casey, Waterford.