Cork 5-23
Waterford 0-07
CORK WILL FACE Kerry in this year’s EirGrid Munster U20 Football Championship decider following a facile win over Waterford in Clonakilty this evening.
Keith Ricken’s side produced a workmanlike display, which included a three-goal blast during the second quarter to confirm their victory before the half-time whistle sounded.
Two additional second-half green flags sealed a one-sided encounter, which was played out in front of 983 spectators amid sunny conditions in West Cork.
Kerry will pose a far sterner challenge in next week’s decider, but Cork’s full-forward line of Mark Cronin, Cathal O’Mahony and Damien Gore were excellent throughout the evening, contributing 3-10 between them.
As for Waterford, a decent opening quarter in which the Déise matched their opponents stride for stride came undone with the concession of three goals in five minutes.
First, Waterford goalkeeper Jack Coffey spilled Cronin’s attempt at a point over the goal-line, before O’Mahony charged through and rifled home a cracking effort. Gore added further misery to the overworked Waterford defence with Cork’s third goal shortly after.
The game was over as a contest by half-time but, to Waterford’s credit, they kept pressing forward with Sean Whelan Barrett, Stephen Curry, Billy Power and Darragh Corcoran all getting their names on the scoresheet.
Cork’s lead was never in danger, however, and they maintained a high tempo despite Keith Ricken emptying his bench. Two replacements, Jack McCarthy and Colm O’Callaghan, added further goals and the winners had the luxury of spurning two open goals before cantering to victory.
Scorers for Cork: Cathal O’Mahony 1-4 (1 free), Mark Cronin and Damien Gore 1-3 each, Mark Hodnett 0-3 (1 free), Jack McCarthy and Colm O’Callaghan 1-0 each, Gearoid O’Donovan and Peter O’Driscoll 0-2 each, Michael O’Mahony, Brian Hartnett, Colm Barrett, Blake Murphy, Jack Murphy and Fionn Herlihy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Waterford: Darragh Corcoran 0-4 (1 free), Sean Whelan Barrett, Stephen Curry and Billy Power 0-1 each.
Cork
1. Josh O’Keeffe (Newmarket)
2. Michael O’Mahony (Knocknagree)
3. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty)
4. Paul Ring (Aghabullogue)
5. Gearoid O’Donovan (Newcestown)
6. Shane Hickey (Millstreet)
7. Peter O’ Driscoll (Ilen Rovers, captain)
8. Brian Hartnett (Douglas)
9. Eanna O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)
10. Colm Barrett (St Finbarrs)
11. Blake Murphy (St Vincents)
12. Mark Hodnett (Carbery Rangers)
13. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers)
14. Cathal O’Mahony (Mitchelstown)
15. Damien Gore (Kilmacabea)
Subs
17. Jack McCarthy (Carrigaline) for for O’Donovan (HT)
21. Jack Murphy (Éire Óg) for Murphy (38)
24. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg) for Barrett (44)
23. David Buckley (Newcestown) for O’Mahony (48)
19. Daniel O’Connell (Kanturk) for O’Hanlon (49, inj.)
18. Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys, 0-1) for Hartnett (55)
Waterford
1. Jack Coffey (Affane)
2. Reece Power (Kilmacthomas)
3. Reece Stringer (Colligan)
4. Liam Fennell (Stradbally)
5. Mark Twomey (Ballincourty)
6. Tom Barron (Nire)
7. Sam Fitzgerald (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
8. Dan Booth (Colligan)
9. Brian Lynch (Clashmore/Kinsalebeg)
10. Sean Whelan Barrett (joint-captain, Ballinacourty)
11. Stephen Curry (joint-captain, Rathgormack)
12. Billy Power (Rathgormack)
13. Darragh O’Keefe (Gaultier)
14. Larry Walsh (Nire)
15. Darragh Corcoran (St Saviours)
Subs
19. Billy Hynes (Shamrocks) for Power (21)
17. James Walsh (Kilgobnet) for Walsh (38)
18. Darragh Power (Kilmacthomas) for Power (38)
21. Jack Fitzgerald (Gaultier) for Booth (48)
24. Dean Beresford (Ballinacourty) for O’Keefe (48)
22. Dale Cullinane (Gaultier) for Stringer (53)
Referee: Sean Joy (Kerry).
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