Cork's hurling revival continues as U20s claim All-Ireland crown
Cork players celebrate with the trophy. Picture:Â INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
Part one of the Rebel treble is complete, the Cork U20 hurlers delivering the county’s second All-Ireland crown at this age grade in the space of six weeks.
A potentially silverware-laden five days for Cork hurling - which concludes with All-Ireland minor and senior final appearances this weekend - began in perfect fashion yesterday evening as the county’s U20s ripped through a tame and lethargic Galway challenge to run out 11-point winners.
With Cork ahead by 10 at the interval, this All-Ireland U20 final was a contest for only a mere couple of minutes at the beginning of the second-half when Galway struck an unanswered 1-4 to move within three - 2-9 to 1-9 - of their opponents.
The Cork response to Galway’s sole productive spell of the decider was to strike for their third goal, Padraig Power finding the net in the play after Donal O’Shea had done similarly at the other end.
Power was Cork’s outstanding performer on the evening, his 1-5 from play following the 1-5 from play he hit in the Munster final.
A Gavin Lee point directly after the second water break left Galway five adrift, this however was as close as Galway would come of Cork turning the bend for home. The youngsters in red tightened their grip on glory in the closing 10 minutes, Pat Ryan’s charges mining 1-6 without reply to sail 15 clear, 4-19 to 1-13.
On target during this sprint for the finish line were subs Luke Horgan and Ben Cunningham, with dual star Brian Hayes the provider of their fourth goal on the hour mark. Hayes' first contribution on the scoresheet - a 55th-minute point - meant all six starting Cork forwards had now found the target.
Galway sub Alex Connaire registered a consolation goal at the death for the vanquished Tribesmen, Cork very rarely troubled in securing back-to-back All-Ireland titles at this age-grade for the first time since 1998.
A physically stronger Cork had one hand on the silverware at half-time, but in truth, Ryan’s troops should have had both. In front by 10 at the break (2-9 to 0-5), Cork's interval advantage could easily have been double that figure.
Cork finished the half with a staggering 13 wides, while there was also a third goal chance approaching the break that was superbly repelled by Galway ‘keeper Paddy Rabbitte.
The winners’ 2-9 first-half tally, coupled with the aforementioned 13 wides, gives the clearest indication possible of the extent to which Cork dominated the opening half an hour. At the other end, Galway’s ability to conjure up just one first-half point from play was further evidence as to the strength of the red tide.
The Cork rearguard, led by Ethan Twomey, Eoin Downey, and Cormac O'Brien, completely shut down the Galway attack and so disheartening for the maroon shirts out the field must have been the ease and swiftness at which Cork cleared their lines on the majority of occasions possession was sent deep into the opposition half.
The writing was on the wall for Jeffrey Lynskey’s side from very early doors, Cork posting 1-5 without reply inside 12 minutes.
Cork’s opening green flag was also the opening score of the final, Darragh Flynn dispatching a fourth-minute penalty after Jack Cahalane had been fouled. Power, Flynn (two frees), the lively Sam Quirke, and Cahalane delivered the white flags during this early burst as a cumbersome Galway outfit looked set to endure a torrid hour in Thurles.
Cahalane was provider turned finisher for Cork’s second green flag on 16 minutes, the dual star capitalising on a mistake in the Galway defence to leave Cork firmly in the driving seat at 2-5 to 0-2 in front at the first water break.
A brace from Power and one each from Robbie Cotter and Daniel Hogan pushed Cork’s lead into double-digit territory, but their advantage should have been so much greater as the breakneck speed to Cork’s play was matched by the frequency at which they were missing the target.
This wastefulness, bar a brief few minutes early in the second-half, was never in danger of being punished.
Part one of the treble is complete. Next up are the minors on Saturday.
D Flynn (1-0 pen, 0-4 frees), P Power (1-5 each); B Hayes (1-2); J Cahalane (1-1); B Cunningham (0-2); S Quirke, R Cotter, D Hogan, L Horgan (0-1 each).
D O’Shea (1-7, 0-7 frees); S McDonagh (0-3, 0-1 sideline); A Connaire (1-0); G Lee (0-2); G Thomas, J Cooney (0-1 each).
C Wilson (Newcestown); E Downey (Glen Rovers), E Twomey (St Finbarr’s), C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); K Moynihan (Na Piarsaigh), C Joyce (Castlemartyr), B O’Sullivan (Kanturk); S Quirke (Midleton), D Kearney (Cobh); J Cahalane (St Finbarrs), D Flynn (Ballygiblin), B Hayes (St Finbarr’s); R Cotter (Blackrock), P Power (Blarney), D Hogan (Sarsfields).
B Cunningham (St Finbarr’s) for Kearney (39); L Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Cotter (47); M Mullins (Whitechurch) for Hogan (55); C O’Donovan (Douglas) for Moynihan (57); C McCarthy (Sarsfields) for Quirke (60).
P Rabbitte (Athenry); C Brennan (Clarinbridge), E Geraghty (Oranmore-Maree), E Lawless (Athenry); E Duggan (St Thomas'), S Neary (Castlegar), S Quirke (Athenry); I McGlynn (Kilconieron), D Kilcommins (Annaghdown); G Thomas (Castlegar), S McDonagh (Skehana/Mountbellew-Moylough), J Cooney (Sarsfields); N Collins (Cappataggle), D O’Shea (Salthill-Knocknacarra), O Flannery (St Thomas').
J O’Donoghue (Gort) for McGlynn (29); G Lee (Clarinbridge) for Collins (HT); L Collins (Cappataggle) for Flannery (45); A Connaire (Sarsfields) for Thomas, O Salmon (Clarinbridge) for Duggan (both 47).
J Murphy (Limerick).
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