Cork 1-20
Clare 1-11
CORK will renew acquaintances with old rivals Kerry after they booked their place in this year’s Munster senior football final this afternoon in Ennis.
Cork had nine points to spare over Clare in today’s clash in Cusack Park and will now travel to Killarney for the provincial decider on July 7th.
Cork entered the game on the back of a comfortable opening round win over Limerick and they had plenty to spare again here despite a gutsy Clare display.
The Banner were guided by manager Mick O’Dwyer who was at the helm in a Munster senior tie for the first time since 1989. They had strong performances from Declan Callinan, Gary Brennan and David Tubridy.
Yet they were unable to spring an upset against their more fancied opponents as Cork were once again victorious over the side they had defeated in last year’s Munster final.
A goal from Daniel Goulding after great work by Brian Hurley and John O’Rourke was the crucial score for the Rebels in the first-half in enabling them to pull clear of Clare.
Cork lead by 1-11 to 0-7 at the break and the early stages of the game had looked ominous for Clare as Cork raced into 0-7 to 0-0 lead by the 20th minute with Hurley, O’Rourke and Fintan Goold to the fore in the scoring stakes.
But Clare fought back, inspired by Brennan, and they reeled off five points on the trot between the 20th and 27th minutes.
Clare received a boost after the interval when Brennan found the net but Cork responded tellingly with Goulding and Hurley, who shot 1-10 between them, in excellent form up front and Conor Counihan’s side qualified comfortably for the Munster decider.
Clare boss Mick O’Dwyer and Cork manager Conor Counihan.
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
Scorers for Cork: Daniel Goulding 1-5 (0-3f), Brian Hurley 0-5 (0-2f), Fintan Goold 0-4, Paul Kerrigan, John O’Rourke 0-2 each, Donncha O’Connor, Ciaran Sheehan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: Gary Brennan 1-0, David Tubridy 0-3 (0-2f), Rory Donnelly 0-2, Joe Hayes, Shane McGrath, Ian McInerney (0-1f), Christopher Dunning, John Keane, Podge McMahon 0-1 each.
CORK: Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown); Eoin Cadogan (Douglas), Michael Shields (St Finbarr’s), Damien Cahalane (Castlehaven); James Loughrey (Mallow), Paudie Kissane (Clyda Rovers), Tomas Clancy (Fermoy); Graham Canty (Bantry Blues), Pearse O’Neill (Aghada); John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers), Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig), Fintan Goold (Macroom); Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers).
Subs: Aidan Walsh (Kanturk) for O’Neill, Ciaran Sheehan (Eire Og) for Kerrigan, Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond) for O’Rourke, Alan O’Connor (St Colm’s) for Kelly, Tomas Clancy (Clonakilty) for Kissane.
CLARE: Joe Hayes (Lissycasey); Laurence Healy (Ennistymon), Shane McNeilis (Kildysart), Gordon Kelly (Miltown-Malbay); Martin McMahon (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Declan Callinan (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), Joe Hayes (Kilrush); Gary Brennan (Clondegad), Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen); Rory Donnelly (Cooraclare), Ger Quinlan (O’Curry’s), Shane McGrath (Thomas Davis – Dublin); Alan Clohessy (Liscannor), Ian McInerney (Kilmurry-Ibrickane), David Tubridy (Doonbeg).
Referee: Derek Fahy (Longford)
