Cork get McGrath Cup off to a winning start

Cork 2-9 Clare 0-10

Playing conditions were very difficult in this McGrath Cup game at Hennessy Park, Miltown-Malbay on Saturday where Clare and Cork met. The strong diagonal near gale force wind blew down the field. Ground conditions were dry, Clare opened with an early Mark McInerney point.

Both sides were off target before Brian Hurley pointed a Cork free. In the 13th minute Joe McGann worked well for Mark McInerney who was fouled with McInerney edging his side ahead from the free. At the water break Clare led 0-2 to 0-1. Brian

Hurley pointed a free on the resumption. Aaron Griffin pointed for Clare when he could have goaled. Both sides exchanged a point before Darren O’Neill worked well for Emmet McMahon who kicked over 0-4 each. Cork had their first goal by Daniel O’Connell. Rory Maguire had a Cork point after good play by Fionn Herlihy and Colm O’Callaghan. Clare wind assisted battled back well. Keelan Sexton had a point after combined play by Aaron Griffin and Darragh Bohannon.

Cork dominated the 3rd quarter wind assisted, scoring 1-4 without replay, the goal by Brian Hurley. Clare’s first score of the second half came in the 60th minute when Keelan Sexton pointed. The same player added another. The home side completed the scoring with an Aaron Griffin point deep in injury time.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 1-6 (0-3f), Daniel O’Connell 1-0, Mark Cronin 0-2 (0-1f), Rory Maguire 0-1. Clare: Mark McInerney 0-3 0-2f, Aaron Griffin 0-3, Keelan Sexton 0-3 (0-2f), Emmet McMahon 0-1.

Cork: Christopher Kelly (Eire Óg), Kevin Crowley (Millstreet), Sean Meehan (Kiskeam), Paul Ring (Aghabullogue), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Sean Powter (Douglas), Cian Kiely (Ballincollig), Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Joe Grimes (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Connell (Kanturk), Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys), Colm O’Callaghan (Eire Óg), Damian Gore (Kilmacabea), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers). Subs: David Buckley (Newcestown) for Daniel O’Connell, Paudie Allen (Newmarket) for Paul Ring, Blake Murphy (St Vincents) for Damian Gore, Tadhg Corkery (Cill na Martra) for Kevin Crowley, Cillian O’Donovan (Macroom) for Paul Walsh, Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Cian Kiely, Luke Fahy (Ballincollig) for Rory Maguire, Diarmuid Phelan (Aghada) for Sean Powter, Kevin Cremin (Boherbue) for Colm O’Callaghan.

Clare: Stephen Ryan (Kilrush Shamrocks), Darragh Connelly ( Ennistymon), Eoghan Collins (Ballyhaunis), Ciaran Morrissey (Kilmurry-Ibricane), Cian O’Dea (Kilfenora) (capt), Alan Sweeney (St Breckens), Daniel Walsh (KilmurryIbricane), Darren O’Neill (Eire Óg Ennis), Darragh Bohannon (Shannon Gaels), Ciaran Downes (Kilmihil), Keelan Sexton (Kilmurry-Ibricane), Emmet McMahon (Kildysart), Mark McInerney (Eire Óg Ennis), Joe McGann (St Breckens), Aaron Griffin (Lissycasey). Subs: Tom O’Brien (St. Joseph’s Doora- Barefield) for Stephen Ryan, Ronan Lanigan (Eire Óg Ennis) for Darragh Connelly, Maccon Byrne (St Breckens) for Emmet McMahon, Padraig Kelly (St Breckens) for Ciaran Downes, Dan Keating (Kilmihil) for Joe McGann, Manus Doherty (Eire Óg Ennis) for Ciaran Morrissey, Andrew Shannon (Kilmurry-Ibricane) for Daniel Walsh, Cathal O’Connor (Coolmeen for Darren O’Neill, Tom McDonald (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield) for Mark McInerney, Jack Sheedy (St Breckens) for Eoghan Collins, Brian McNamara (Cooraclare) for Darragh Bohannon.

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).