Galway 2-17
Cork 2-15
Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park
JACK CANNING SMASHED home two second-half goals and claimed the man-of-the-match award as Galway lifted the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor hurling title today with victory against Cork.
Galway trailed 2-7 to 0-10 at the break with Cork starting excellently as Brian Turnbull and Evan Sheehan, both injury doubts before the game, netted in the first-half.
Turnbull’s goal arrived after just eight seconds of play and despite being hampered by a hamstring injury, he still shone throughout and finished with 1-7.
Sheehan fired home a brilliant second goal in the 15th minute as Cork went in front 2-3 to 0-3 but Galway cut that advantage before the interval with Seán Bleahane and Conor Molloy both in accurate form.
Then Galway exploded into life after the break with Donal Mannion’s wonderful run setting up Canning to finish to the net with aplomb and the Portumna youngster blasted home another goal in the 39th minute.
Galway used that as a platform to go 2-17 to 2-12 clear entering the finale and while Cork hit the final three points of the game through Turnbull (2) and Robert Downey, Galway’s defence repelled their advances to triumph.
Scorers for Galway: Jack Canning 2-2, Conor Molloy 0-7 (0-7f), Sean Bleahene 0-5, Ben Moran, Donal Mannion, Daniel Loftus (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Brian Turnbull 1-7 (0-3f), Liam O’Shea 0-3, Evan Sheehan 1-0, Craig Hanafin 0-2, Barry Murphy, Daire Connery, Robert Downey 0-1 each.
Galway
1. Darrach Fahy (Ardrahan)
2. Caimin Killeen (Loughrea)
3. Daniel Loftus (Turloughmore)
4. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields – captain)
5. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh)
6. Conor Caulfield (Kilconieron)
7. Mark Gill (Castlegar)
21. Conor Molloy (Kilnadeema-Leitrim)
9. Conor Fahy (Padraig Pearses)
10. Ben Moran (Tynagh Abbey Duniry)
11. Conor Walsh (Turloughmore)
12. Martin McManus (Loughrea)
13. Sean Bleahene (Ahascragh Fohenagh)
14. Donal Mannion (Cappataggle)
15. Jack Canning (Portumna)
Subs
22. Shane Ryan (Clarinbridge) for McManus (half-time)
17. Sam McArdle (Clarinbridge) for Loftus (53)
24. Mark Kennedy (Clarinbridge) for Moran (56)
20. Enda Fahy (Kilbeacanty) for Walsh (61)
Cork
1. Ger Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe)
3. Sean O’Leary-Hayes (Midleton – captain)
4. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)
5. Aaron Walsh-Barry (Carrigtwohill)
6. James Keating (Kildorrery)
7. Ger Millerick (Fr. O Neill’s)
8. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Diarmuid Linehan (Ballyhooly)
10. Craig Hanifin (Na Piarsaigh)
11. Liam O’Shea (Lisgoold)
12. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
13. Evan Sheehan (Na Piarsaigh)
14. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers)
15. Brian Turnbull (Douglas)
Subs
23. Declan Hanlon (Blarney) for Linehan (38)
20. Barry Murphy (Castlelyons) for Walsh Barry (46)
Referee: Sean Cleere (Kilkenny)
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