Ben Cunningham scores 2-14 as Barrs progress to U21AHC final

St Finbarr's Ben Cunningham on the sliotar against Shandrum.

Cork U21AHC semi-final: St Finbarr’s 4-20 Shandrum 2-15

The final scoreline might suggest otherwise but this was far from a runaway victory for St Finbarr’s in the Co-Op Superstores Cork U21AHC semi-final at the SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh 4G on Sunday against a gallant Shandrum.

The clinical Ben Cunningham finished with 2-14 - all from placed balls including a penalty in either half - but it was only in the final 10 minutes the Barrs pulled away.

Overall though, Shandrum were left frustrated with the lopsided free-count. Although, it must be said they did need to be more disciplined, especially up against a player of Cunningham’s ability.

In the 50th minute, Shandrum led 2-15 to 2-14. Cunningham then levelled for the ninth time.

Cunningham’s goal from a penalty in the 54th minute knocked the momentum out of Shandrum after it was deemed John Wigginton Barrett was fouled by ‘keeper Daniel O’Connell.

Wigginton Barrett bagged their fourth goal three minutes later - it all added up to an unanswered 2-6 in a 13 minute spell.

Ricky Barrett’s green flag in the eighth minute put the Barrs 1-2 to 0-1 up.

Ciarán Ahern replied with a Shandrum major in the same minute, and it was game on.

Cunningham and Conor O’Donoghue put St Finbarr’s in the driving seat.

The Troys, Rory and Robert pulled those scores back.

The Togher club moved three ahead approaching the short whistle. Wigginton Barrett was judged to have been fouled by Tom McCarthy, the penalty duly dispatched by Cunningham in first-half stoppage and they retired 2-9 to 1-6 in front.

Shandrum, with most of their players underage again next year, were fired up for the second half.

Turlough O’Neill and Johnny Murphy landed points, and when Johnny Murphy found Robert Troy, his goal levelled matters 2-9 apiece.

They were deadlocked six more times.

The Barrs third goal from the penalty spot set them on their way to victory and a place in the final against Midleton.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: B Cunningham 2-14 (2-0 pens, 0-13 frees, 0-1 65), J Wigginton Barrett (1-1), R Barrett (1-0), R O’Sullivan and W Buckley (0-2 each), C O’Donoghue (0-1).

Scorers for Shandrum: Robert Troy (1-4), K Murphy (0-6, 0-5 frees, 0-1 65), C Ahern (1-0), J Murphy (0-2), D O’Connell (free), T O’Neill and Rory Troy (0-1 each).

ST FINBARR’S: E Kelleher, S Kennedy, C Doolan, J Kennefick; T Egan, A Barry, A Buckley; W Buckley, E Hallahan; R Barrett, B Cunningham (Capt), R O’Sullivan; C O’Donoghue, J Wigginton Barrett, D Murray.

Subs: E Hurley for E Hallahan (40), J Brady for R O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan for D Murray (both 60).

SHANDRUM: D O’Connell; D Ryan, T McCarthy, J Hogan; E Keating, Rory Troy (Capt), S Minihane; B Collins, T O’Neill; C Dunne, Robert Troy, J Murphy; K Murphy, E O’Mahony, C Ahern.

Subs: M Buckley for C Dunne (48), S O’Leary for T McCarthy (53).

Referee: Simon Stokes (Tullylease).