Cork storm past Waterford to secure Munster U20FC final showdown with Kerry

FINAL COUNTDOWN: Cork's Sean Coakley looks to shoot while Waterford's Fergal O'Brien attempts to block him. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Munster U20FC: Cork 0-33 Waterford 1-9

Cork stormed into a Munster U20FC final meeting with Kerry after a 21-point win over Waterford at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Wednesday night.

Seán Coakley starred for the Rebels, hitting nine points, seven of which came from play, but the supporting forward cast weren’t far behind.

Ray Keane’s Cork got off to a blistering start, with Gary Holland slotting over inside 15 seconds. That came after direct play from dominant Rebel duo Darragh Clifford at midfield and inside man Rickey Barrett.

Waterford would find the reply – two in fact. First from Callum Royle and then from centre-forward Ben Qualter. The latter’s score flashed just above Cork 'keeper Billy Curtin’s crossbar.

Then came a flurry of Cork counter-punches. Three from Douglas marksman Coakley and a double for Luke Shorten, as well as one each from Dylan O’Neill and Barrett translated into an eight points to two Cork lead by the 15-minute mark.

Ballincollig’s Danny Miskella ensured every Cork forward had got on the scoresheet two minutes later, before Shorten added his third. Eight-point-lead. One-way traffic.

Joe Brennan did cut the deficit to six with a well-taken two-pointer, but Coakley – with Cork’s first placed-ball score – and Odhran Foley quickly cancelled that out.

The impact of further Cork scores from Coakley – who excelled in front of goal throughout – and the marauding Foley were mitigated by Brennan and Diarmuid Mackle’s Waterford efforts. A commanding Rebel lead at the interval – 0-14 to 0-6.

The Déise looked to muster a mini-fightback very early on and were rewarded for their hard work when Cathal McCarthy was dispossessed inside his own 13 and midfielder Mackle finished past Curtin.

That comeback would last just minutes as four – including one two-pointer - from Carbery Rangers’ O’Neill and one each from Coakley – his sixth – and Miskella left the Cork lead at 11 by the 38th minute.

Cork's Mark O'Brien and Wateford's Diarmuid Mackie battle for the high ball. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Déise sub Paul Bagnall would make an instant impact with a score before two tap-over frees from Brennan and Paddy McCarthy kept their total moving. Clifford and the jinky O’Neill added scores, but Keane’s men were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes after a Foley pull-down.

Waterford still at arm’s length. That’s where they would remain.

Further scores from target-man Barrett and a '45 from ‘keeper Curtin stretched the Rebels lead to 13 with 11 remaining as Keane unloaded his bench.

There was still time for the impressive Coakley to swell his tally. He took his total to nine while Miskella added his third and Luke Murphy got on the scoresheet.

Miskella and sub Denis O’Mullane knocked over scores to end proceedings.

Tomás O Sé and Kerry await once more.

Scorers for Cork: S Coakley 0-9 (1 2pt, 2f), D O’Neill 0-6 (1 2pt), D Miskella 0-4 (2f), R Barrett, L Shorten 0-3 each, B Curtin (2 '45), O Foley 0-2 each, G Holland, L Murphy, D O’Mullane, D Clifford 0-1 each.

Scorers for Waterford: J Brennan 0-4 (1 2pt, 1f), D Mackle 1-1, B Qualter, P McCarthy, C Royle, P Bagnall (0-1 each).

Cork: B Curtin (Valley Rovers); F Hurley (O’Donovan Rossa), P Rose (Ballincollig), M Ahern (St Finbarr’s); S O’Leary (Kilmurry), C McCarthy (St Colum’s), O Foley (Bishopstown); D Clifford (Éire Óg), M O’Brien (Ballinora); D Miskella (Ballincollig), L Shorten (Tadhg MacCarthaigh), G Holland (Bishopstown); S Coakley (Douglas), R Barrett (St Finbarr’s), D O’Neill (Carbery Rangers).

Subs: A Keane for S O’Leary (HT, inj), D O’Mullane for D O’Neill (45), H Wixted for G Holland (47), B Corkery Delaney for R Barrett (49). L Murphy for O Foley (51).

Black card: O Foley (41-51).

Waterford: C Drohan (Rathgormack); A Ryan (The Nire), B Boland (St Saviour’s), N Fahey (Rathgormack); D Nyhan (Brickey Rangers), F O’Brien (Gaultier), D Jacob (St Saviour’s); D Mackle (Abbeyside/Ballinacourty), D Colleran (Brickey Rangers); A Curran (Stradbally), B Qualter (An Rinn), C Power (Rathgormack); J Brennan (Tramore), P McCarthy (Brickey Rangers), C Royle (Brickey Rangers).

Subs: C Cotter for P McCarthy (22-26, temp), C Cotter for N Fahey (HT), P Bagnall for C Power (38), E Adebayo for D Nyhan (53), D Murphy for A Curran (53), J Foley for D Colleran (54), J Hickey for A Ryan (60, blood).

Referee: Chris Maguire (Clare).