Barry Walsh impresses as Cork defeat Clare to set up rematch in Munster U20 hurling semi-final

Tipperary were the night’s big winners, thrashing Limerick to take the direct route to the final on score difference (Tipp +20, Cork +14, Clare +1).

On his return to U20 action, Barry Walsh was held scoreless in the first half, but came up with the match-winning 1-5 contribution after the break. His rob also created Finn O’Brien’s 58th-minute goal before launching the insurance point from his own 45.

The downside of the semi-final is that it falls just three days before the seniors’ trip to Waterford.

When asked about Walsh’s potential availability, Noel Furlong said: “I don't know what's going to happen, so we'll have to see.” Following a man-of-the-match display in Waterford, James O’Brien stayed on free-taking duties and produced a solid 0-6 total.

“James is a very established free-taker,” said Furlong. “He's over 90% conversion rate, so just with the uncertainty around Barry's availability, it's just good to have a consistent approach with that, and Barry was all for that.

“Barry hit one or two as well tonight, so we'll review it as we go along.” Clare had strong contributions from Thomas O’Connor (2-2) and Fred Hegarty (0-8), who both matched Walsh’s haul.

The Cork net had to withstand a stoppage-time barrage as Óisín Walsh saved from Hegarty and Michael Collins.

Starting into a strong wind, Cork got the first two points through Johnny Murphy and James O’Brien. Paul Rodgers soon fed O’Connor for the opening goal and a 1-1 to 0-2 advantage.

From there, Clare led throughout the first half, but never built the type of cushion they would’ve desired.

Cork got their first goal in the 13th minute. Barry O’Flynn’s initial shot was blocked by Eoghan Gunning, but the Rebel captain swooped in to rattle the net; 1-5 to 1-4.

Clare responded well to cancel out that blow with three consecutive points. O’Connor came close to a goal, when flashing just over with an action akin to a tennis serve.

Cork hit back with their own three in a row via Ben Walsh and two James O’Brien frees.

Kilroy doubled his tally to four points, including one swung over with one knee on the ground. But Cork struck the last two points from Zack Biggane and James O’Brien (free) to close the half-time deficit to one; 1-11 to 1-10.

They flipped that with the first 1-2 of the second half. An Óisín Walsh puck-out picked out the untracked run of wing-back David O’Leary. When the sliotar was knocked loose, O’Flynn scooped it for Murphy to finish.

Clare jumped ahead with 1-2 of their own. Gunning, Rodgers, and Hegarty were involved before O’Connor tucked away his second goal. After a super fetch, Rodgers was denied another by Óisín Walsh.

Cork countered to Barry Walsh, who had just been relocated to full-forward to escape the close attention of Matthew O’Halloran. The change of scenery did him good as he shook off a foul and beat two more defenders to blast a precise shot inside the far post. That six-point swing made it 3-13 to 2-15.

Walsh soon went for goal from a close-range free, which flew over as Cork chased Tipp’s score difference.

But their plans were halted by Clare’s persistence, led by Hegarty, who tagged on three from play in the second half.

Finn O’Brien hit the net and James O’Brien was denied by Mark Sheedy, but they still had to hold on through three minutes of stoppage-time chaos.

Scorers for Cork: Barry Walsh (1-5, 0-1 free); Johnny Murphy (1-2); James O’Brien (0-6, 5 frees); B O’Flynn, F O’Brien (1-0 each); Z Biggane (0-2); D Heavin, C Garde, Ben Walsh, C Noonan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: T O’Connor (2-2); F Hegarty (0-8, 5 frees); M Collins, R Kilroy (0-4 each); R Hayes, D Costello, P Rodgers (0-1 each).

CORK: Ó Walsh (Youghal); D Fitzgerald (Bride Rovers), M Barrett (Carrigtwohill), D Heavin (Russell Rovers); MT Brosnan (Glen Rovers), C Garde (Lisgoold), D O’Leary (Ballincollig); Ben Walsh (Killeagh), C Noonan (Kanturk); Z Biggane (Charleville), Barry Walsh (Killeagh), James O’Brien (Cloyne); Johnny Murphy (Dromina), B O’Flynn (Sarsfields, capt), F O’Brien (Erin’s Own).

Subs: J Counihan (Watergrasshill) for Noonan (51-54, temp), John Murphy (Mallow) for Biggane (55), Counihan for O’Leary (57), C O’Sullivan (Na Piarsaigh) for F O’Brien (58), Jack O’Brien (Douglas) for Brosnan (59).

CLARE: M Sheedy (Sixmilebridge); J Casey (Kilmaley), R Loftus (Éire Óg Ennis), E Gunning (Broadford, capt); J Moylan (Cratloe), M O’Halloran (Sixmilebridge), R Hayes (Tulla); D Costelloe (Ballyea), G Ball (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield); F Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona), M Collins (Clonlara), R Kilroy (Banner); S Boyce (O’Callaghan’s Mills), T O’Connor (St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield), P Rodgers (Scariff).

Subs: H Doherty (Clarecastle) for Boyce (39), J Hegarty (Inagh-Kilnamona) for Moylan (47), R Keane (Killanena) for Ball (49), M Cleary (Éire Óg Ennis) for Rodgers (54), S Arthur (Newmarket-on-Fergus) for Costello (60).

Referee: Kieran Guina (Limerick).

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