Cork 2-18
Wexford 2-12
A TERRIBLE START proved no impediment to Cork as they proved much too strong for Wexford and moved to the top of the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship roll of honour with their eighth title.
Jim Berry’s shot from distance appeared to get the slightest touch from fellow former senior, Red Barry for a Wexford goal after 10 seconds but Liam Doyle’s men never built on that initial boost.
Cork settled well despite playing into a strong wind, with their runners causing problems for the Wexford defence.
Peter O’Brien scored 13 points as Cork came from behind to beat Galway in the semi-final and he slotted five points from frees to keep them in touch, leaving them trailing by just one at the break 1-7 to 0-9.
That never looked a sufficient advantage given the strength of the elements and Cork had four points in as many minutes to move ahead.
Michael O’Sullivan struck for a goal in the 38th minute to put six between the sides and though Wexford responded with an excellent score by Peter Murphy and another by Tommy Dwyer, David Drake blasted Cork’s second goal after good work by Anthony Spillane to put the issue beyond doubt.
Wexford did capitalise on some self-indulgence by Cork and a goal from substitute Nicky Kirwan, seven minutes from time reduced the margin to four.
Cork responded with points from Colm Casey, Drake and Barry Lawton however, to confirm their superiority.
Scorers for Cork: Peter O’Brien 0-8(5fs), Colm Casey 0-4, Michael O’Sullivan & David Drake 1-1 each, Barry Lawton 0-2, John Cronin & Anthony Spillane 0-1 each
Scorers for Wexford: Nicky Kirwan 1-2, Tommy Dwyer(2fs) & Emmet Kent(3fs) 0-3 each, Red Barry 1-0, Peter Murphy 0-2, Benny Jordan, Jim Berry 0-1 each
CORK
1 Richie Cunningham (Youghal)
2 John Callaghan (Inniscarra)
3 Alan Dennehy (Charleville)
4 Brian O’Sullivan (Fermoy)
5 Colm Barry (Castlelyons)
6 Tadhg Healy (Buttevant)
7 Michael Walsh (Kildorrery)
8 Nicky Kelly (Mayfield)
9 John Cronin (Lisgoold)
10 Colm Spillane (Castlelyons)
11 Peter O’Brien (Kildorrery)
12 Michael O’Sullivan (Tracton)
13 Colm Casey (Inniscarra)
14 David Drake (Carrigaline)
15 Anthony Spillane (Castlelyons)
Subs
23 Barry Lawton (Castlemartyr) for Walsh (41)
21 Mark Sugrue (Bandon) for Anthony Spillane (60)
22 Ronan Crowley (Bandon) for Drake (60)
WEXFORD
1 Niall Breen (Tara Rocks)
2 Brendan Mulligan (Faythe Harriers)
3 James Breen (Adamstown)
4 Barry Kehoe (Oulart-The Ballagh)
5 Pat Naughter (Ballygarrett)
6 Michael Jacob (Oulart-The Ballagh)
7 Mark Maloney (St Martin’s)
8 Bob Jacob (Shamrocks)
9 Tommy O’Dwyer (Ferns St Aidan’s)
10 Benny Jordan (Ferns St Aidan’s)
11 Jim Berry (Faythe Harriers)
12 Peter Murphy (Oulart-The Ballagh)
13 Emmet Kent
14 Red Barry (St Anne’s)
15 Jamie Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien)
Subs
21 Gary Dolan (Askamore) for Murphy temp (21-22)
20 Aidan Rochford (St Anne’s) for Naughter (38)
21 Dolan for Bob Jacob (38)
22 Tomás O’Leary (Buffers Alley) for Kent (43)
24 Nicky Kirwan (Oulart-The Ballagh) for Reck (43)
Referee: Alan Kelly (Galway)