Murphy scoring ace as young Rebels sink LIT

DENIS WALSH’S Cork development squad breezed past Davy Fitzgerald’s LIT side at a bitterly cold Mallow GAA complex last night by 5-15 to 2-14.

A magnificent display by full forward Eoin Murphy was one of the highlights on the night, with the number 14 netting on three occasions on his way to a personal tally of 3-3.

Cork’s attacking superiority wasn’t just down to Murphy however as his colleagues on either side of the full forward (Brian Hartnett and Jamie Coughlan) also gave personal displays that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Although Cork managed to rack up 5-15 on the night the backbone of this victory must be firmly attributed to the backs.

Walsh will be delighted with his rearguard players. Most impressive in the defensive third was full back Cian Fogarty.

The Killeagh man was sublime throughout and gave a performance that will surely put him in the reckoning when the squad for this year’s League campaign is announced.

Fogarty wasn’t alone in his tenacious approach to defending as left half back Stephen White also impressed the selectors.

Although to some interested onlookers this may only have been an early season challenge game, it was clear from the spirited efforts of all the lads in the Blood and Bandage that they saw this as their chance to impress the decision-makers.

Scorers for Cork: E Murphy 3-3 (one free); B Hartnett 1-2; S Harmody 1-1; S O’Farrell, C Lehane 0-3 each; D Brosnan 0-2; B Corry 0-1.

LIT: S Tobin 1-4; S Lambert 1-3; B Gaffney 0-4; P O’Brien 0-2; P Brown 0-1.

CORK: D McCarthy; P O’Leary, C Fogarty, J O’Callaghan; S White, M Ellis, S Corry; D O’Sullivan, S O’Farrell; C Lehane, B Corry, D Brosnan; J Coughlan, E Murphy, B Hartnett.

Subs: S Harmody for C Lehane (20), D Roche for D O’Sullivan (half time), J Wall for J Coughlan (half time), C Joyce for S O’Farrell (45), P O’Mahoney for S Corry (45), G Moylan for P O’Leary (45).

LIT: M Ryan (Tipperary); E Glynn (Clare), C Cowen (Tipp), C Cooney (Clare); P Donelan (Clare), J McInerney (Clare), J O’Keeffe (Tipp); P Brown (Limerick), P O’Brien (Limerick); W Highland (Laois), S Lambert (Galway), S Collins (Clare); S Tobin (Limerick), B Gaffney (Clare), M Flaherty (Clare).

Subs: B Glynn (Clare) for W Highland, P Laanders (Galway) for M Flaherty (Half time), R Kennedy (Limerick) for S Lambert (Half time), M Duggan (Clare) for S Tobin (Half time), J Riordan (Clare) for B Gaffney (45), G Power (Limerick) for J McInerney (45), C Madden (Limerick) for M Flaherty (45).

Referee: Dave Copps (Ballyhea).