Cork minors come good in closing stages to down Wexford and secure quarter-final berth

Cork team line up against Wexford during the Electric Ireland All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final at FBD Semple Stadium. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Cork 2-18 Wexford 2-15 

A place in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC quarter-finals was hard-earned for Cork, who battled back in the closing stage against Wexford on Saturday.

The Model County were cruising as they led the preliminary quarter-final at FBD Semple Stadium by 1-15 to 0-13 with the clock showing 51 minutes, but Cork maintained their composure.

Sub Liam O’Regan cut the gap to four before the first of two huge goals. Stephen McHugh, one of Cork’s better players throughout, sent a good delivery in and when it broke, captain Eoin Considine – who started at wing-back but now an emergency full-forward – reacted brilliantly to fire home.

Cork were level through Cormac Murphy after centre-back Dave Nolan did brilliantly following a Marley Walsh save from a hurleyless Joey Tobin and Cork led as O’Regan and Murphy set up sub Sam McCarthy for the first point of what would prove to be a huge contribution.

Nolan himself added another and the game looked safe in injury time when Conor Ronayne and Considine combined well to allow McCarthy fire to the net – 2-18 to 0-15.

Having gone so long without a score, Wexford gave themselves a glimmer of hope as Jack Furlong’s run allowed centre-back Jamie Downey to score their second goal and cut the deficit to two but McCarthy made the game safe at the death.

As Walking on Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves played over the Thurles tannoy, tempers briefly flared before order was restored and, with the dust settled, Cork’s campaign continues.

The first half had been largely even. After the first eight points were evenly shared, Cork twice went close to goals as Callum Coffey fired wide following a good catch and run and then Sam Ring almost got on the end of a Ryan Cagney delivery – in between, Walsh had to deny Robbie Kehoe.

While Power’s second put Cork 0-5 to 0-4 in front on 18 minutes, Wexford looked to have taken over as they had the next four points, with Tobin the star turn in attack while wing-back Ryan Walsh and midfielder Jack Cullen impressed, too.

Cork responded as Callum Caffey set up Cormac Murphy for a point and then the favour was returned; Tobin’s fourth made it 0-9 to 0-7 for Wexford but Cork finished the half with three from Power – one a free and two beauties from play.

Power extended the lead on the restart but that was followed by the goal – Tobin was going for a point from well behind his own 65 but, while it lacked the distance for that, it eluded all in the goalmouth and nestled in the net.

It had the effect of electrifying Wexford and rocking Cork, with the next four points all scored by the Model County, three of them super scores from Seán Kavanagh, as the Rebels’ wides tally mounted.

A boomer from full-back Finn Cahill ended a 14-minute Cork drought, but they were thankful to goalkeeper Marley Walsh for a great save to deny Wexford sub Oisín Caulfield soon after.

In the wake of that, play was brought back for a free, converted by Tobin. Power’s seventh of the day brought Cork back to four but Cathal Whelan replied for Wexford to keep them in command. Few could have predicted how the rest of the game would play out.

Scorers for Cork: B Carroll 0-7 (0-4 f), S McCarthy 1-2, E Considine 1-0, C Coffey, C Murphy 0-2 each, F Cahill, D Nolan, S McHugh, T McCarthy, L O’Regan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Wexford: J Tobin 1-5 (1-4f , 0-1 sl), J Downey 1-0, S Kavanagh 0-3, J Cullen, R Walsh 0-2 each, C Whelan, J Furlong, B Murray 0-1 each.

CORK: M Walsh (Youghal); J Batterberry (Castletownroche), F Cahill (Midleton), N Coffey (Na Piarsaigh); E Considine (Sarsfields), D Nolan (Erin’s Own), G Kingston (Mallow); A Hennessy (Midleton), S McHugh (Newtownshandrum); T McCarthy (Watergrasshill), B Power (Ballincollig), R Cagney (Mallow); C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh), C Murphy (Ballinora), S Ring (Carrigtwohill).

Subs: D Barry (Douglas) for McCarthy (37), C Ronayne (Dungourney) for Cagney (42), L O’Regan (St Finbarr’s) for Hennessy (43), S McCarthy (Castlelyons) for Ring (48), S Riordan (Kilworth) for Kingston (59).

WEXFORD: M Butler (Monageer-Boolavogue); S Doyle (St Abban’s Adamstown), A Sludds Murphy (Oylegate-Glenbrien), P O’Neill (Askamore); C Whelan (Monageer-Boolavogue), J Downey (Oylegate-Lemybrien), R Walsh (Monageer-Boolavogue); J Cullen (St Mogue’s Fethard), J Furlong (St Abban’s Adamstown); B Kennedy (St Anne’s Rathangan), S Kavanagh (Ballyhogue), B Murray (Ferns St Aidan’s); E Kehoe (St Brigid’s Blackwater), R Kehoe (Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s), J Tobin (Rathnure St Anne’s).

Subs: O Caulfield (Faythe Harriers) for E Kehoe (43), R Durack (Glynn-Barntown) for Kennedy, C Higgins (Monageer-Boolavogue) for Cullen (both 55).

Referee: M Farrell (Offaly).

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