By Paddy Ryan
Cork 4-12 Mayo 1-13
Three second half goals proved decisive as Cork overcame Mayo in the All-Ireland Electric Ireland MFC semi- final in Croke Park on Saturday. Mayo started with Mark Tighe at midfield along with Ethan Henry.
Cork were denied an opening score when Michael O’Neill’s free hit the post. Mayo opened the scoring after 5 minutes when Ethan Henry pointed a long range free.
Good play for Cork by Michael O’Neill, Jack Cahalane and Conor Corbett led to a fine point by Patrick Campbell.
Cork had their first goal when a poor kickout by Luke Jennings was picked up by Jack Cahalane who placed Campbell for a goal. The Rebels led for the rest of the game.
Mayo were wide. A foul on Jack Cahalane led to a pointed free by Michael O’Neill. In the 12th minute a foul on Mark Tighe led to a pointed free by Ethan Henry. Good play by Frank Irwin led to a well executed Mayo point by Paddy Heneghan.
Cork replied when Conor Corbett and Joseph O’Shea combined well with Darragh Cashman who offloaded to Adam Walsh-Murphy who set up Hugh Murphy for a very good point.
At the end of the first quarter Mayo had a point, 1-3 to 0-4.
Good work out of defence by impressive Daniel Linehan found Patrick Campbell who placed Jack Cahalane for a fine point as Cork regained the goal lead. Jack Cahalane pointed for the Rebels. Mayo had two wides.
In the 23rd minute good play by Michael O’Neill led to a well taken point by Hugh Murphy. Within seconds Cork moved 1-7 to 0-4 clear when Daniel Linehan and Conor Corbett worked a good movement linking up with Jack Cahalane as Corbett took the return pass and pointed.
Mayo battled back well. Paddy Heneghan pointed twice with Ethan Henry with a late free closing the gap at the break, 1-7 to 0-7.
SECOND HALF
On the resumption Cork had two wides. Owen McHale pointed for Mayo. Cork were again off target but regained the goal lead in the 35th minute when Patrick Campbell worked well for team captain Conor Corbett who kicked a great point.
Mayo forced a ’45 that was cleared by the Cork defence. Good play for the Connaught side by Alfie Morrisson and Dylan Thornton led to a point by Shaun Dempsey.
Cork introduced Sean Andrews and Ryan O’Donovan who did well. They regained the goal advantage in the 43rd minute when ‘man of the match’ Patrick Campbell soloed through, 1-9 to 0-9.
Entering the final quarter Mayo’s Frank Irwin worked well for Patrick Heneghan who kicked a great point. Cork had their second goal in the 46th minute when Eoghan Nash and Hugh Murphy worked well for Daniel Linehan who scored a massive goal that gave Cork a decided advantage, 2-9 to 0-10.
Good play by Jack Cahalane and Conor Corbett led to a point by Ryan O’Donovan as Cork secured a two goal lead.
Cork’s 3rd goal came in the 50th minute when Jack Lawton gained possession from a throw in and he placed Conor Corbett who netted. Cork were now well on top in midfield where Kealan Scannell was very impressive. Mayo had a point by Frank Irwin.
Cork were still 8 points clear and playing well. Cork keeper Cian O’Leary saved well from Paul Walsh. In the 57th minute Frank Irwin pointed again for Mayo. Cork replied when Conor Corbett won vital possession and placed Ryan O’Donovan who made it 3-11 to 0-12.
In the 60th minute Cork’s Keith O’Driscoll worked well with Shane Aherne that led to a punched point by Cork captain Conor Corbett.
Mayo never gave up. They had a goal in the 63rd minute when a free by Rory Morrin was gathered by Niall Feeney who goaled. In the 65th minute Keith O’Driscoll placed Conor Corbett for his second and Cork’s 4th goal. Mayo finished with the final score of the game when John O’Grady pointed.
Cork now meet Galway in the All-Ireland final on Sunday, September 1. The last time Cork and Galway met in an All-Ireland Minor FC final was in 1986 when Galway were victorious.
Cork: Cian O’Leary (Douglas), Joseph O’Shea (Urhan), Daniel Peet (Clonakilty), Neil Lordan (Ballinora), Kealan Scannell (Carbery Rangers), Daniel Linehan (Castlemagner, 1-0), Darragh Cashman (Millstreet), Jack Lawton (Argideen Rangers), Eoghan Nash (Douglas), Hugh Murphy (Eire Og, 0-2), Patrick Campbell (Nemo Rangers, 1-2), Adam Walsh Murphy (Valley Rovers), Jack Cahalane (Castlehaven, 0-1), Michael O’Neill (Buttevant, 0-2/1f), Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers, 2-3)). Subs: Sean Andrews (Shamrocks) for Joseph O’Shea, Ryan O’Donovan (Barryroe, 0-2) for Michael O’Neill, Keith O’Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers) for Patrick Campbell (inj), Luke Murphy (Cullen) for Adam Walsh-Murphy, Shane Aherne (Douglas) for Hugh Murphy, Alan O’Hare (Douglas) for Jack Cahalane.
Mayo: Luke Jennings (Ballinrobe), Alife Morrisson (Louisburgh), Oisin Tunney (Breaffy), Aidan Cosgrove (Kiltimagh), Shaun Dempsey (Balla, 0-1), Ruairi Keane (Mayo Gaels), Eoin Gilraine (Ballinrobe), Paddy Heneghan (Castlebar Mitchels, 0-4), Ethan Henry (Mayo Gaels, 0-3f), Ciaran Mylett (Castlebar Mitchels, 0-1), Owen McHale (Belmullet, 0-1), Dylan Thornton (Ballina Stephenites), Paul Walsh (Castlebar Mitchels), Mark Tighe (Cill Chomain), Frank Irwin (Ballina Stephenites, 0-2). Subs: Rory Morris (Ballina Stephenites) for Ciaran Mylett, John Grady (Westport, 0-1) for Shaun Dempsey, Ray Walsh (Westport) for Aidan Cosgrove, Ronan Hughes (The Neale) for Oisin Tunney, Niall Feeney (Ballina Stephenites, 1-0) for Paul Walsh.
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).
