Latest news with #All-IrelandMHC
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Brave Clare come up clutch to shock Cork and seal All-Ireland final berth
All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Clare 0-27 Cork 1-22 Ger O'Connell hailed his Clare team for their brave finish to spring an All-Ireland semi-final shock on Munster champions Cork. The sides were level 11 times in front of 2,855 fans at Semple Stadium, but the Banner were more assured at the death, despite hitting 14 wides. Their clever passing moves cut through Cork around the middle and created a steady flow of scoring chances. In an absorbing last-four clash, Paul Rodgers, the younger brother of senior star Mark, topped the scoring charts. He tallied 0-13, including 10 frees and an exceptional sideline cut from close to the 65. Ben Talty and Ian O'Brien were other major contributors, while Dara Kennedy performed the dual function of defensive anchor and attacking springboard. 'We've made so many mistakes trying to work the ball. You'd have lads saying just hit the fecking ball. But we're trying to encourage these guys to play,' said O'Connell. 'Under pressure, we really showed quality on the ball. Coming off the shoulder when the easy thing to do would have been to lump a ball. 'We've really tried to encourage the boys to do the right thing. Make mistakes. That's okay. They're young lads. They're going to make them. 'The boys came up trumps in the last 5-10 minutes. They're a brilliant bunch and I'm so proud.' A weekend of upsets results in a novel All-Ireland final pairing. The 2023 champions will meet Waterford in a fortnight for the third-ever all-Munster final. For Cork, Cormac Deane scored 1-2 and assisted six points, Eoghan O'Shea struck 0-5, and free-taker Craig O'Sullivan tallied 0-8. Callum Coffey scored a hat-trick in their Munster round-robin victory over the same opponents, but injury reduced him to a bench role here. 'The better team on the day won,' reflected Cork manager Fergal McCormack, who now hands over to U16 boss Donal Mulcahy. 'We've a great bunch, and they've done everything that we could possibly ask of them. Even down to the last minute, I had belief that our fellas would come good. 'But Clare dug in there, got their scores, and turned us over a few times, which was tough to take. They seemed to be playing triangles, which got the better of us a few times.' Cork started slow, and even Deane's fifth-minute goal couldn't immediately lift them. The Killeagh youngster cut onto his left and blasted a low shot from the 21 to the net for a 1-1 to 0-3 lead. Leon Talty denied him a second goal, by which time Clare had rebuilt a three-point lead. They were sparked by three in a row from Rodgers, and all six forwards were on the board by half-time. They led 0-15 to 1-10, but Cork were back in front by the 33rd minute as O'Sullivan's brace bookended Deane's second point. The sides were level six times in the third quarter, with Rodgers' frees accounting for four Banner points. Substitute Jack Counihan got a first-touch point in the 44th minute, which proved to be Cork's final lead. The Banner were working the sliotar better and they produced a decisive move with four points out of five between the 51st and 58th minutes. Liam Murphy, O'Brien, and two Rodgers frees made it a 0-26 to 1-20 lead. Cork weren't done yet as Michael T Brosnan's third point and O'Shea's fifth left one between the sides entering stoppage time. But Niall Doyle drew the free for Rodgers' insurance score. Scorers for Clare: P Rodgers (0-13, 10 frees, 1 s/l); B Talty, I O'Brien (0-3 each); R Ralph, L Murphy (0-2 each); D Kennedy, E Cleary, J O'Donnell, J Barry (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: C O'Sullivan (0-8, 6 frees); C Deane (1-2); E O'Shea (0-5); MT Brosnan (0-3, 1 free); S Ring (0-2); R Dineen, J Counihan (0-1 each). CLARE: L Talty (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield); J O'Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Z Phelan (Sixmilebridge), N Doyle (Éire Óg Ennis); E Crimmins (Newmarket-on-Fergus), D Kennedy (Ballyea), C Daly (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield); G Ball (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield, captain), E Cleary (Ballyea); J O'Donnell (Broadford), R Ralph (Clarecastle), I O'Brien (Cratloe); B Talty (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield), P Rodgers (Scariff), L Murphy (O'Callaghan's Mills). Subs: E O'Connor (Ballyea) for Talty (9-13, temp), J Barry (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Ralph (36), O'Connor for Talty (51), G Marshall (Parteen-Meelick) for O'Donnell (58), D Murrihy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Daly (60+4). CORK: TC Walsh (Aghada); C Lawton (Midleton), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), D Heavin (Russell Rovers); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), B Carroll (Dromina, capt), C Garde (Lisgoold); TA Walsh (Carrigtwohill), R Dineen (Erin's Own); C O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), C Deane (Killeagh), R Donovan (Fermoy); S Coughlan (Passage), E O'Shea (Ballinhassig), S Ring (Carrigtwohill). Subs: J Counihan (Watergrasshill) for Coughlan (43), C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh) for Dineen (52), A Dunlea (Sarsfields) for TA Walsh (60). Referee: C Doyle (Tipperary).
Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Waterford finally 'click' to reach first minor hurling final in 12 years
All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Waterford 2-21 Kilkenny 2-18 Waterford are into the All-Ireland Minor Hurling final for the first time since 2013 after a thrilling three-point win over Kilkenny at Wexford Park, powered by a superb 2-6 from talisman Cormac Spain. Despite Kilkenny striking early through Cian Byrne inside 42 seconds, Waterford quickly steadied. Shane Power and Jamie Shanahan replied before Tommy Kennedy's slick assist set up Spain for his seventh goal of the season. With points from Power, Gearoid O'Shea, and Hugo Quann, Waterford led 1-10 to 1-7 at the break. But Kilkenny roared back after half-time, hitting five unanswered points, including two from the lively Eoin Brennan. That seemed to spark Waterford back to life. They responded with 1-7 on the trot, as Power, Éanna McHugh, and O'Shea all found their range. Spain then finished emphatically again on 43 minutes to stretch the lead. O'Shea launched over a huge point and with Jake Mullen keeping Kilkenny in touch from frees, the game stayed alive. As the clock neared 60 minutes, Waterford led by seven – aided by a brilliant James Comerford save to deny Conor Holohan. But Kilkenny weren't done. Sub Adam Maher blasted in a goal before Holohan's point cut the gap to two. It took fierce defending and a final Jamie Shanahan score to secure the win – and send the Déise support wild. They'll now face Clare after the Banner's 0-27 to 1-22 win against Munster champions Cork. Waterford manager James O'Connor said the victory was the culmination of three years of hard work. "The defence was outstanding, midfield, and same with the forward line. Everyone put in the big shift. I said this earlier, and I kept on saying it, that the group were always going to click, it's a case of when - they clicked here, and I was right, so I'm delighted. I'm seeing that week in, week out at training. Ye got to see it tonight for 63 or 64 minutes. That's what I'm happy about, I knew if they performed like I've been seeing at training, they would win. 'This is the first bunch of players that really have come through with proper strength and conditioning in Waterford from U14 level, and now you see the rewards when you do things right. To have a team now in an All-Ireland minor final again, these are things that in Waterford, it doesn't happen easily, so there needs to be a massive push at all grades." WATERFORD: J Comerford; C Lynch, D Murphy, D Keane; B Penkert, H Quann (0-1), T Kennedy; E McHugh (0-1), G O'Shea (0-3); P Quann, J Power (0-1), S Power (0-4); D Murphy (0-1), C Spain (2-6, 5fs), J Shanahan (0-3) Subs: C Reville (0-1) for Penkert (56) KILKENNY: J O'Doherty; O Henderson, L Phelan, D Hickey; B Nevin, J Dowling, PJ Mackey; D Behan (0-1), B Hickey (0-1); K Buggy (0-3), O O'Donovan (0-2), J Mullen (0-6, frees); E Brennan (0-2); C Holahan (0-2), C Byrne (1-1) Subs: A Maher (1-0) for Byrne (45); K Barcoe for Brian Hickey (54); S Hanrahan for J Mullen (60) Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford)
Irish Examiner
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Clare shock Cork to set up All-Ireland minor final showdown with Waterford
All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Clare 0-27 Cork 1-22 Clare completed a weekend of All-Ireland minor semi-final shocks by dumping out Munster champions Cork. In an absorbing final-four clash, the Banner racked up 27 points, led by 0-13 from Paul Rodgers. The 2023 champions will meet Waterford in a novel final pairing in a fortnight. The sides were level 11 times in front of 2,855 fans at Semple Stadium, but Clare were more assured for a finish, despite hitting 14 wides. For Cork, Cormac Deane scored 1-2 and assisted six points, Eoghan O'Shea struck 0-5, and free-taker Craig O'Sullivan tallied 0-8. Callum Coffey scored a hat-trick in their Munster round-robin victory over the same opponents, but injury reduced him to a bench role here. Clare opened with the breeze at their backs and capitalised with three of the opening four points, led by Rory Ralph and James O'Donnell. In the fifth minute, Cork struck the front. From Cian Lawton's long delivery off a short puck-out, Deane flicked the sliotar to Ruairc Donovan. He returned possession to the Killeagh star, who cut onto his left and blasted a low shot from the 21 to the net. 1-1 to 0-3. CLASSY CLARE: Niall Doyle of Clare in action against Sam Ring of Cork. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile. Clare responded admirably, with Ian O'Brien and Evan Cleary pushing them back ahead. Wing-back Michael T Brosnan accounted for Cork's first two white flags, but Rodgers was coming to the fore for Clare. He showed wonderful control and finishing for three points in a row (two from play). Deane continued to cause trouble at the other end. He played through a foul to point before doing the same for a goal chance, which was well saved by Leon Talty. Play was called back for an O'Sullivan tap-over free. O'Shea and Ryan Dineen points levelled at 1-6 to 0-9. Rodgers' exceptional sideline cut from close to the 65 got Clare rolling again. They finished the half with Ben Talty and Liam Murphy completing the set of six forwards scoring for a 0-15 to 1-10 half-time lead. By the 33rd minute, Cork were back in front as they resumed with an O'Sullivan brace (one each from a free and play) and a Deane single. The sides were level six times in the third quarter, with Rodgers' frees accounting for four Banner points. Substitute Jack Counihan got a first-touch point at the other end. Clare clambered two ahead with Talty and John Barry points. Cork equalised with two O'Sullivan frees. The Banner were working the sliotar better, though. They made a decisive move with four of the next five, featuring points from Murphy, O'Brien, and two Rodgers frees for a 0-26 to 1-20 lead. Cork weren't done yet as Brosnan and the industrious O'Shea left one between the sides entering stoppage time. But Niall Doyle drew the free for Rodgers' insurance score. Scorers for Clare: P Rodgers (0-13, 10 frees, 1 s/l); B Talty, I O'Brien (0-3 each); R Ralph, L Murphy (0-2 each); D Kennedy, E Cleary, J O'Donnell, J Barry (0-1 each). Scorers for Cork: C O'Sullivan (0-8, 6 frees); C Deane (1-2); E O'Shea (0-5); MT Brosnan (0-3, 1 free); S Ring (0-2); R Dineen, J Counihan (0-1 each). CLARE: L Talty (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield); J O'Halloran (Sixmilebridge), Z Phelan (Sixmilebridge), N Doyle (Éire Óg Ennis); E Crimmins (Newmarket-on-Fergus), D Kennedy (Ballyea), C Daly (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield); G Ball (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield, captain), E Cleary (Ballyea); J O'Donnell (Broadford), R Ralph (Clarecastle), I O'Brien (Cratloe); B Talty (St Joseph's Doora-Barefield), P Rodgers (Scariff), L Murphy (O'Callaghan's Mills). Subs: E O'Connor (Ballyea) for Talty (9-13, temp), J Barry (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Ralph (36), O'Connor for Talty (51), G Marshall (Parteen-Meelick) for O'Donnell (58), D Murrihy (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Daly (60+4). CORK: TC Walsh (Aghada); C Lawton (Midleton), D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), D Heavin (Russell Rovers); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), B Carroll (Dromina, capt), C Garde (Lisgoold); TA Walsh (Carrigtwohill), R Dineen (Erin's Own); C O'Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh), C Deane (Killeagh), R Donovan (Fermoy); S Coughlan (Passage), E O'Shea (Ballinhassig), S Ring (Carrigtwohill). Subs: J Counihan (Watergrasshill) for Coughlan (43), C Coffey (Na Piarsaigh) for Dineen (52), A Dunlea (Sarsfields) for TA Walsh (60). Referee: C Doyle (Tipperary).
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Déise delirium as Waterford book place in minor decider
All-Ireland MHC semi-final: Waterford 2-21 Kilkenny 2-18 Waterford are through to the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final for the first time since 2013 — largely thanks to 2-6 from talisman Cormac Spain The Déise saw off Kilkenny by three points at Wexford Park, and they'll now come up against either Cork or Clare in the decider. Waterford came into the game boasting a better head to head record against the Cats at minor level, an interesting anomaly given Kilkenny's dominance against the Déise at senior level. Kilkenny got off to the perfect start as Cian Byrne found the net on 42 seconds, but Waterford responded with great points from Shane Power and Jamie Shanahan to move back within a score. The sides traded blows throughout the opening exchanges, until superb work saw Tommy Kennedy set Gearoid O'Shea free and he offloaded to Cormac Spain to drive home his seventh goal of the season on 18 minutes to send the Déise two in front. Kilkenny responded well but momentum was firmly with Waterford, as Shane Power, O'Shea and Hugo Quann galvanised their cause with inspirational scores — the Déise leading 1-10 to 1-7 at the break. Whatever Niall Bergin said to his players at half time worked wonders, as Kilkenny hit five on the spin after the break, two of which came from excellent Eoin Brennan efforts. While that response was supposed to rattle Waterford, it seemed to do the opposite — the Déise knocking over 1-7 without response to effectively leave their rivals for dust. Shane Power (2), Eanna McHugh and the excellent O'Shea moved Waterford back in front, before the marauding Spain was found in space and finished superbly on 43 minutes, sending the Déise five to the good. O'Shea launched over another monstrous score as Waterford threatened to pull away, but Kilkenny kept them on their toes. The impressive Jake Mullen was deadly accurate throughout on dead balls, but as the clock approached the hour mark - Waterford still held a seven point lead, largely thanks to a superb stop from goalkeeper James Comerford to deny Conor Holohan. Out of nowhere, it was game on however as substitute Adam Maher fired home when found in space on the edge of the area as the Cats began to throw the kitchen sink, before a Honohan score made it a two-point affair late on. Waterford defended valiantly to keep Kilkenny out, before a Jamie Shanahan insurance score sent the travelling Déise support into raptures. WATERFORD: J Comerford; C Lynch, D Murphy, D Keane; B Penkert, H Quann (0-1), T Kennedy; E McHugh (0-1), G O'Shea (0-3); P Quann, J Power (0-1), S Power (0-4); D Murphy (0-1), C Spain (2-6, 0-5f), J Shanahan (0-3). Subs: C Reville (0-1) for B Penkert (56). KILKENNY: J O'Doherty; O Henderson, L Phelan, D Hickey; B Nevin, J Dowling, PJ Mackey; D Behan (0-1), B Hickey (0-1); K Buggy (0-3), O O'Donovan (0-2), J Mullen (0-6, 0-6f); E Brennan (0-2); C Holahan (0-2), C Byrne (1-1). Subs: A Maher (1-0) for C Byrne (45); K Barcoe for B Hickey (54); S Hanrahan for J Mullen (60) . Referee: Eamonn Furlong (Wexford).
Irish Examiner
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Fast start and flowing Waters help Limerick past Wexford
All-Ireland MHC preliminary quarter-final: Limerick 1-20 Wexford 0-15 Shane Waters and Conor Hough fired Limerick to the All-Ireland minor hurling quarter-finals with victory over Wexford at Semple Stadium. The Treaty enjoyed a 0-10 to 0-2 head start, and though Wexford briefly made it a one-score game, those eight points would prove their eventual winning margin. Waters accounted for 0-14 (0-5 from play), while Hough's 51st-minute goal made victory certain as part of a 1-2 tally. The Model County were boosted before throw-in with the addition of Seán O'Brien to their starting team. Top scorer at this grade last year, the joint-captain missed their Leinster semi-final defeat to Galway due to a thumb injury, but played through the pain here. O'Brien won the opening free for Darragh Ryan, but Limerick's puck-out domination would see them string together 10 of the next 11 points. Shane Carroll and Alex Kearns got them up and running before Waters took over. The Na Piarsaigh sharp-shooter scored their next seven points, including four from play, in the space of eight minutes. Hough made it 0-10 to 0-2. Wexford switched Ryan deeper to shield their defence while O'Brien was brought out to the wing. The moves worked as Tomás Fenlon got their first point from play, quickly followed by Eoghan Whelan and O'Brien scores. Before long, a super second from wing-back Fenlon and Énán Quinlan's opener had it back to a one-score game. But Waters ended with a brace, one each from play and a free, for a 0-14 to 0-9 half-time lead. There were just four scores from play in a scrappy second half. Ryan and Waters exchanged two points each before the first clear-cut goal chance. Hough broke the sliotar for Cathal Dennehy, but Martin Dempsey read his intentions for a terrific diving save. Still, Waters' third 65 and Dennehy's opener made it a four-point streak and a lead of eight. The goal originated from captain David O'Keeffe winning the puck-out break. Rory Hanly sped forward to offload for Hough, whose initial shot was stopped by Brian Ivers' brave block. The Monagea attacker met the rebound with a sweet groundstroke to rattle the net. That 1-19 to 0-12 lead wouldn't be threatened as the Treaty held out against late Wexford pressure. Marcus Murphy earned his clean sheet by taking O'Brien's one-handed swipe off the line before saving Joey Tobin's kicked effort. For a finish, Jackie Dwane blocked O'Brien's close-range free on the line, and Tobin whipped wide. Scorers for Limerick: S Waters (0-14, 6 frees, 3 65s); C Hough (1-2); S Carroll, A Kearns, C Dennehy, K Begley (0-1 each). Scorers for Wexford: D Ryan (0-7, 5 frees, 1 65); S O'Brien (0-4, 3 frees); T Fenlon (0-2); É Quinlan, E Whelan (0-1 each). LIMERICK: M Murphy (Na Piarsaigh); S Carroll (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), E Ryan (South Liberties), J Dwane (Kilmallock); E Hennessy (Patrickswell), M Hanly (Ballybricken-Bohermore), D Crowe (Doon); P Murphy (Castletown-Ballyagran), D O'Keeffe (Na Piarsaigh, capt); S Waters (Na Piarsaigh), R Hanly (Ballybricken-Bohermore), A Kearns (Na Piarsaigh); C Hough (Monagea), C Dennehy (Glenroe), R Horgan (Murroe-Boher). Subs: E O'Sullivan (Adare) for Horgan (42), K Begley (Mungret St Paul's) for Kearns (52), K McCarthy (Glenroe) for Crowe (54), R Foley (Patrickswell) for P Murphy (59). WEXFORD: M Dempsey (Oulart-The Ballagh); P O'Neill (Askamore), T Kirwan (Glynn-Barntown), B Ivers (Marshalstown-Castledockrell); T Fenlon (Rapparees), C Gethings (Ballynestragh Gaels), C Rochford (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown); É Quinlan (Naomh Éanna), E Whelan (Monageer-Boolavogue); E Kinsella (Liam Mellows), D Ryan (Glynn-Barntown, j-capt), J Kennedy (Naomh Éanna); J Tobin (Rathnure St Anne's), J Downey (Oylegate-Glenbrien), S O'Brien (Rathgarogue-Cushinstown, j-capt). Subs: R Wickham (Oulart-The Ballagh) for Kennedy (39), J Cullen (Fethard St Mogue's) for Kinsella (42), K Murphy (Ferns St Aidan's) for Rochford (49), W Kelly (St Fintan's) for Whelan (52), J Sheridan (Askamore) for Downey (56). Referee: C O'Donovan (Tipperary).
