Brilliant Cork advance to Munster final

Cork 2-23 Clare 2-18

Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s rampant Cork have beaten All-Ireland champions Clare by five points in this afternoon’s Munster SHC semi-final.

But Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald was up in arms at full-time after referee James McGrath awarded Cork 12 first half frees, compared to just five for Clare, in the first half.

By half-time, Cork forward Patrick Horgan had registered 1-8 from placed balls.

And the prolific Glen Rovers clubman added another 1-3 in the second half, including a penalty, to take his match tally to a massive 2-11.

In front of 28,660 spectators at Semple Stadium, that proved the difference as Cork march on to a Munster final clash with Limerick on July 13 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cork lost to the Shannonsiders in last year’s provincial showpiece but will have home advantage 12 months on.

And just like they did last year, Cork have scored a Munster championship victory over Clare, who lined out with 12 of the players who started the 2013 All-Ireland final replay.

However, this will one probably mean that bit more after the Banner County beat Cork at Croke Park last September and if Clare do want to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup, they will have to go the qualifier route once again.

The sides were level six-times in a sun-kissed Thurles before Horgan caught the Clare defence by surprise two minutes before half-time with a free, struck from outside the 20m line, in accordance with GAA guidelines issued during the week.

Horgan’s effort flew into the Clare net and while John Conlon responded with a Clare goal in first half stoppage time as Cork led by 1-13 to 1-10 at the break.

There a mini stand off as Fitzgerald waited for McGrath to make his way down the tunnel and before the second half got underway, McGrath waited in vain for Fitzgerald to emerge before eventually deciding to make his way to the halfway line to throw the ball in.

Clare were back to within two points of the winners twice in the second half but Cork held their nerve and a quickfire brace of scores from Daniel Kearney within a minute were massive points.

Hogan’s second goal, with eleven minutes remaining, effectively settled the tie.

Horgan’s penalty strike, buried following a Brendan Bugler foul on Seamus Harnedy, put the seal on a memorable Cork display and the Leesiders march forward to a final meeting with Limerick at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The ace hitman went for broke from a penalty and gained the ultimate reward, lashing a head high effort past Donal Tuohy, who may feel that he should have done better.

That strike established a 2-20 to 1-16 lead for Cork and two minutes later, Paudie O’Sullivan flashed over a point with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.

The tie was effectively over as a contest as Clare – playing their first competitive game for eight weeks – struggled to cope.

In between, Cork had come through two games against Waterford and they looked sharper and fitter all over the pitch as the game wore on.

Sub Darach Honan bagged a consolation goal for outclassed Clare in the final minute but the clock was against the Banner men, who will now attempt to regroup for the All-Ireland qualifiers.

CORK: A Nash; S O’Neill, S McDonnell, C Joyce; D Cahalane (0-1), M Ellis, L McLoughlin; D Kearney (0-3), A Walsh (0-1); S Harnedy, B Cooper, C Lehane (0-2); A Cadogan (0-3), P Horgan (2-11, 1-0 pen, 1-11f), P Cronin.

Subs: S Moylan for Cooper (59), W Egan (0-1) for Kearney (60), P O’Sullivan (0-1) for Harnedy (60), E Cadogan for Ellis (67).

CLARE: D Tuohy; D McInerney, C Dillon, J Browne; P O’Connor, C Ryan, B Bugler; C Galvin (0-2), P Donnellan (0-1); J Conlon (1-2), C Ryan (0-6, 5f, 1 65), P Duggan; T Kelly (0-1), C McGrath (0-2), P Collins (0-1).

Subs: S Morey for Browne (h.t.), N O’Connell (0-2) for Donnellan (45), C McInerney (0-1) for Galvin (51), D Honan for Conlon (63).

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).