Four-goals see Cork blitz Limerick to secure first win in Munster U20 hurling championship

But such a comfortable securing of the two points on offer was in no way a foreseeable outcome approaching half-time.

STAR MAN: Barry Walsh starred for Cork in their u20 win over Limerick. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Cork 4-18 Limerick 0-21

A green flag feast. A first win of the campaign. Cork are on the board in the Munster U20 round-robin.

Such a comfortable securing of the two points on offer was in no way a foreseeable outcome approaching half-time. Backed by a strongish breeze in the opening half, the hosts trailed all the way to the 19th minute and did not hit the front until the 23rd minute.

Even two minutes out from the half-hour mark, their lead of a single point was set for extreme second-half scrutiny by a Limerick side opening their campaign.

All changed on the run into the break. Barry Walsh’s burying of a 20-metre free was part of Cork outgunning the visitors 1-3 to 0-1 for a six-point interval lead.

The wind now blowing into Cork’s face proved no impediment to their advantage hitting a third quarter growth spurt.

There was an unanswered 1-5 either side of the interval. Stretch the timeframe out further. From the 28th to the 40th minute, Furlong’s charges outscored the Treaty by 3-4 to 0-2.

We’ll get to the goals stuck in a second. Cork’s green flag count could actually have been higher again. Finn O’Brien, Zack Biggane, and Barry O’Flynn, twice, were all denied in the third quarter.

Mind you, the first opening of the second period wasn’t even theirs.

Two minutes after the restart, a long delivery spilled loose from Cork ‘keeper Óisín Walsh. Dara Ferland sought to take advantage, but his strike was just about kept off the line by David O’Leary. It would have cut the gap to four. It might have given us a far different outcome. The crowd of 2,924 will never know.

On 35 minutes, it was effectively game over. The excellent Denis Fitzgerald, operating far higher up than the No.3 on his back would have suggested, slipped Finn O’Brien through. The latter was hauled down by Limerick corner-back John Murray. Black card and penalty awarded. Barry Walsh rifled the net, 14-boy Limerick chasing a 3-13 to 0-11 deficit.

Fitzgerald was involved again four minutes later. The finish for Cork’s fourth major was by Johnny Murphy. Numerically disadvantaged for half an hour last week, Cork enjoyed their 10 minutes of numerical superiority here.

Their lead peaked at 14. Their lead finished up at nine. They go to Dungarvan in a fortnight. Inflict a third defeat on the locals and Cork will be safe for a top-three finish.

The first half bore many similarities to Cork’s opening round game in Thurles. They were again sluggish in their opening. They again watched as their opponents surged clear.

There were again 13 minutes elapsed before Cork found the target from play. Barry Walsh once again dominated the red scoresheet.

Hurling into a notable breeze, Limerick went four clear by the ninth minute. There was a pair each from Ferland and Limerick senior panellist Hugh Flanagan, the latter two from the dead-ball.

Aidan O’Connell also contributed as the visitors, operating with a two-man inside line and Robert O'Farrell roaming further out, found white flags too easy to come by.

At the far Blackrock End, Walsh endured a somewhat frustrating start. He sent an early free short. He had a 20-metre free, which he drilled low, blocked.

It didn’t knock a jot out of the Cork senior. He’d finish the half with 1-7 beside his name, the second last of those white flags coming from play.

It was a free that he won and converted to bring Cork level, at 0-7 apiece, for the first time on 19 minutes. It was his namesake Barry O’Flynn who put Cork in front for the first time on 23 minutes. Michael T Brosnan’s delivery broke kindly and the Sars youngster didn’t need to be asked twice.

As noted above, there was no denying Walsh when he again went low from the 20-metre line later in the half. He’s amassed 2-23 in two outings. He was whipped shortly before the end of regulation time. The suspense now is whether or not we’ll see him stand opposite more filled-out green shirts on Sunday.

Scorers for Cork: Barry Walsh (2–9, 1-0 pen, 1-7 frees); B O’Flynn (1-2); J Murphy (1-0); C Garde (0-2); MT Brosnan, C Noonan, Jack O’Brien, Z Biggane, C O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Limerick: H Flanagan (0-6, 0-4 frees); D Ferland (0-4); J O’Connor, R O’Farrell, E Brosnan, T Boddy (0-2); J Cosgrove, C Ryan, A O’Connell (0-1 each).

CORK: Ó Walsh (Youghal); D Heavin (Russell Rovers), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), M Barrett (Carrigtwohill); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), D O’Leary (Ballincollig), Ben Walsh (Killeagh); C Noonan (Kanturk), J O’Brien (Cloyne); Z Biggane (Charleville), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), J O’Brien (Douglas); J Murphy (Dromina), B O’Flynn (Sarsfields), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own).

Subs: C Garde (Lisgoold) for J O’Brien (Cloyne) (20); J Casey (Youghal) for Ben Walsh (43); C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for Biggane (50); R O’Riordan (Blackrock) for Brosnan (55); C Deane (Killeagh) for Barry Walsh (57).

LIMERICK: A Kearns (Na Piarsaigh); J Murray (Patrickswell), J Dwane (Kilmallock), S Duff (Mungret St Paul’s); J Cosgrave (Ahane), E Richardson (Doon), J Coughlan (Ballybrown); C Ryan (Ahane), A O’Connell (Doon); J O’Connor (Ahane), M Fitzgerald (Monaleen), H Flanagan (Garryspillane); E Brosnan (Na Piarsaigh), R O’Farrell (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), D Ferland (Monaleen).

Subs: T Boddy (Dromin/Athlacca) for Coughlan (38); C Dennehy (Glenroe) for Murray (46); R Hanly (Ballybricken/Bohermore) for Ryan (54); M Leo (Knockainey) for Brosnan (60).

Referee: A Tierney (Tipperary).

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