Impressive Cork minors overpower Meath to book All-Ireland last-four spot

Keith Ricken's Rebels ran out 13-point winners in Thurles. 

POWERING THROUGH: Cork's Donal Herlihy under pressure form Meath's Niall Smyth at FBD Semple Stadium, Thurles. Pic: Diarmuid Brennan/Sportsfocus.

Cork: 3-19 (3-4-11) Meath: 1-12 (1-2-8) 

Cork are through to the Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC semi-final after cruising past Meath at FBD Semple Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Rebels prevailed by 13 points in this quarter-final contest, securing a last-four place for the first time since 2021.

The recently crowned Munster champions dominated from start to finish in a performance that will greatly please Keith Ricken and his management team. Assisted by a stiff wind in the opening half, Cork settled quickly and led by ten at the interval, with Conor Downing, Darragh O’Sullivan and Kieran O’Shea particularly effective in supplying scores for a forward unit that looked sharp throughout.

Cork goalkeeper Rory Twohig was outstanding. Alongside his primary duties, he contributed 0-9, including three orange flags from frees. Roscommon or Derry await in the semi-final.

Meath opened the scoring through Cormac Walsh, but Cork responded immediately. Tom Whooley’s goal-bound effort was saved by Cormac Fitzimmons, resulting in a 45 that Twohig converted with ease. Ben Hegarty and Joe Miskella added points as Cork took control, though four early wides prevented an even bigger cushion.

A Whooley point and an orange flag from a Twohig free reflected Cork’s dominance. Another two-point free from the goalkeeper pushed them 0-8 to 0-2 ahead after 15 minutes. The sides traded white flags before Miskella struck a two-pointer and Twohig added a 45, stretching the lead to 0-12 to 0-3 approaching the break. Whooley tacked on another score as Cork went in 0-13 to 0-3 ahead at half-time.

Wind or no wind, Cork’s momentum didn’t shift. They made the perfect start to the second half with a goal after just 20 seconds — Jacob Barry picking out an unmarked Eoghan Ahern, who finished superbly. Twohig added a free before Harry McGuirk hit a two-pointer for Meath, but a Royal revival never looked likely.

O’Shea then rattled the net with a brilliant finish after Hegarty’s assist, pushing Cork 2-14 to 0-5 ahead after 38 minutes. Walsh replied for Meath before O’Sullivan received a black card with 21 minutes left, leaving Cork temporarily down to 14.

Milo Stafford converted an orange flag as Meath trailed 2-14 to 0-8, and McGuirk’s powerful run yielded a goal to reduce the margin to nine. Walsh added another point, but a superb two-point free from Twohig steadied Cork, who led 2-16 to 1-9 entering the final quarter.

Cork moved 2-18 to 1-10 ahead before Miskella struck their third goal, finishing after Downing’s initial effort was saved. Meath claimed two of the last three points, with substitute Alex O’Herlihy on target for Cork.

A solid day’s work for the Rebels as they march on.

Scorers for Cork: R Twohig 0-9 (3 2pt f, 0-2 45, 0-1 f), J Miskella 1-3 (1 2pt), T Whooley 0-4, K O’Shea, E Ahern 1-0 each, B Hegarty, A O’Herlihy, C Murphy 0-1 each.

Meath: H McGuirk 1-4 (1 2pt), C Walsh 0-3, M Stafford 0-2 (1 2pt f), N Smyth, C McKenna, C Brennan 0-1 each.

CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); R McCormack (Midleton), A O’Sullivan (Glanmire), C Garvey (St Finbarr’s); D O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), C Downing (Adrigole), E Lynch (Ballincollig); K O’Shea (Urhan), C Murphy (Barryroe); E Ahern (Carrigaline), B Hegarty (Ballinora), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt); T Whooley (Clonakilty), J Barry (Aghinagh), D Herlihy (Shamrocks).

Subs: A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s) for D Herlihy (45), K O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa) for D O’Sullivan (49), P Kelly (Naomh Abán) for C Murphy (54), M Walsh (Bride Rovers) for B Hegarty, D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for J Barry (both 58).

MEATH: C Fitzsimmons; B Browne, T Clarke, N Rogan; L O’Donoghue, H McGuirk (capt), N Smyth; J Killoran, T Proudfoot; C McKenna, C Brennan, A Keane; C Walsh, M Stafford, D Loughran.

Subs: H Keating for J Killoran (h-t), L Kavanagh for T Proudfoot (36), T Dillon for D Loughran (40), H Moffat for C Walsh (49), O Farrelly for L O’Donoghue (55).

Referee: Eamon O’Connor (Offaly).