Wins for Cork and Waterford in McGrath Cup

Cork and Waterford booked quarter-final places in the McGrath Cup as they both accounted for Limerick third-level sides, following today’s preliminary round football action in Munster.

Cork were ruthless as they stormed to a 7-20 to 0-4 win over Mary Immaculate College in Mallow.

The Rebels were never troubled by the Limerick students, with Brian Cuthbert’s side solid throughout.

Cork led by 0-9 to 0-1 after 30 minutes, with Brian Hurley and John Hayes leading the charge.

Ciaran Rabbitte registered Mary Immaculate’s opening score in the 23rd minute, but the floodgates opened before the interval.

Jamie O’Sullivan registered Cork’s first goal in the 30th minute, as his side took a 1-9 to 0-1 lead, with further goals from Hayes and Fiachra Ó Deasuinaigh helping Cork take a 16-point advantage at the break.

Leading by 3-9 to 0-2, Cork failed to ease up on the restart with substitutes Eoin Cadogan and Donnacha O’Connor and half-forward Kevin O’Driscoll adding goals, on the way to a 37-point win.

Tom McGlinchey’s first game in charge of Waterford senior footballers ended in victory, but only after a strong comeback by University of Limerick at Carriganore, as the hosts recorded a 1-16 to 2-7 win.

Waterford stormed to a 1-8 to 0-2 interval lead, but UL came good in the final quarter to ensure a keenly contested finish.

The only goal of the opening half came after seven minutes, after Patrick Hurney slotted the ball past Ruairi Lavelle to hand his side a 1-2 to 0-0 lead.

Hurney had a goal scoring chance in the 14th minute, but his effort was kept out.

Waterford led by 1-3 to 0-1 at this stage, with Daniel McLoughlin registering UL’s opening point in the ninth minute, but Waterford were strongest before the break.

Paul Whyte brought his tally to four points by the interval, with debutant Michael O’Halloran, Michael Hurney and Shane Aherne also on target, with Aidan Rowan registering UL’s other first half score.

Leading by 1-8 to 0-2 at the break, Waterford moved 11 points ahead within three minutes of the restart, but suddenly the students began to mount a comeback.

A Gearoid Hegarty goal ensured a 1-12 to 1-5 score-line in the 48th minute, and 10 minutes later just three points separated the sides, after the St Patrick’s, Limerick clubman fired UL’s second goal.

Waterford lost David Grey on a black card, but closed out this game well as late scores from Hurney and Gavin Nugent ensured a six-point win.