Cork clinch junior football title

CORK 1-14 WEXFORD 3-2, Dungarvan

Cork won the All-Ireland junior football title for the second time in three seasons in Dungarvan tonight, despite conceding three goals to a valiant Wexford side.

Wexford's Paddy Murphy and Darren Foran cracked home two late goals, but the Rebels still held firm to win their 14th title in all and third this decade, following their victories in 2001 and 2005.

Foran also netted in the eighth-minute but a string of points, including four from Pat Dunlea, helped the Munster champions to a 0-8 to 1-1 interval lead.

Fiachra Lynch then netted for Cork and although Wexford took their goal tally to three, late points from Dunlea and Lynch confirmed Cork's win.

Wexford struck an early blow in the eighth-minute when a high ball in towards the Cork square evaded corner back Donagh Wiseman and Darren Foran, who was a key figure in Wexford's Leinster championship-winning campaign, was on hand to drill home to the net.

The Rebels started with the same team that saw off London at the semi-final stage and gradually pulled clear with the aid of a first half wind. They replied to that goal with six points on the trot - four from free-taker Pat Dunlea and a point each from centre-forward Vincent Hurley and full-forward Niall O'Sullivan, who proved an able target man.

The Munster champions moved 0-8 to 1-0 ahead and would have been further ahead but for the fine performance of Wexford goalkeeper Anthony Masterson.

Patrick Sinnott replied with a long range free and the same player was unlucky to miss another placed ball in injury-time as Wexford reduced the arrears to four points by the break.

Pumped up by a half-time team talk from senior boss Paul Bealin, Wexford, who won their last title at this grade in 1992, began the second half well with Peter Atkinson launching over a point.

Yet Cork's dominance at midfield, where Alan O'Connor stood out, proved key and their half-back line came more and more into the game with team captain Barry Goggin putting in a solid display.

Kilmore clubman Patrick Sinnott, who has scored 0-18 in Wexford's wins over Meath, Dublin and Mayo, was kept out of the game as Cork's discipline was top notch.

Points from Conor Brosnan and Andrew O'Sullivan preceeded Lynch's major as Cork eased further ahead. Ten minutes from time, midfielder Paddy Murphy rose highest to punch home Wexford's second goal and give them an outside chance.

Hurley and Lynch replied for Cork by raising two white flags and Foran's second goal was rendered little more than a consolation strike when Dunlea and Lynch rattled over the two clinching points in injury-time.