Clare will face Waterford in the All Ireland Minor Hurling final. This follows a pulsating two-point win over Cork in FBD Semple Stadium earlier this afternoon.
The quality of game on show belied the age grade on show. Both teams oozed class and confidence on the ball. They provided physicality which would not be out of place in an intercounty senior match.
Cork came into this contest as Munster minor hurling championship. Their skill set, movement to the fore. Clare entered this fixture in good confidence beating Dublin and Galway in recent weeks. The Galway win noteworthy for the performance levels delivered.
Cork though started the game impressively. Cormac Deane scored a cool finish past Leon Talty early on. This helped build up a nice lead for the Rebels. Clare’s ability to pass through the lines though was causing Cork issues in the middle third.
Clare forward line movement and running off the shoulder yielding quality scores. Paul Rodgers impressive from full forward but all the Clare forwards scored from play in the hour. Dara Kennedy oozed class from half-back.
Clare led by two points at the break, thanks to the performance of their inside full forward (0-15 to 1-10). Cork, however, would have been confident of success with the breeze in the second half.
Cork like Kilkenny minors last night responded well immediately upon the restart. The middle third work rate improved. Craig O’Sullivan and Cormac Deane scored key points. These scores saw Cork lead by a point.
Clare’s resiliency to regroup after unforced errors impressive. The Clare middle third run game is so effective. It features players prepared to run off the shoulder and with options to pass to. This strategy yielded more free opportunities for the impressive Paul Rodgers.
Cork continued to ask the questions of Clare in the second half. Brosnan sensational from wing back scoring three points but Clare’s half forward line came to the fore. Talty, Barry chipping in with key scores in the third quarter.
This game ebbed and flowed in the second half but Clare’s composure with the sliothar down the stretch so impressive. They played the right way and won vital frees as Cork’s middle third started to panic with their tackling.
Rodgers hitting clutch points to make it a three point gap but Cork refused to die. Brosnan and O’Shea with superb points but Clare would not be denied. Cork conceding a middle third free which Rodgers slotted home.
Conor Doyle gave Cork one more opportunity. However, Kennedy and O’Halloran in the defensive spine of Clare were dominant in the aerial exchanges. Clare winning another 50/50 ball as Doyle blew the final whistle.
Clare’s underage success in this age group since that infamous forty point drubbing to Cork during Covid has been extraordinary. The underage academies and coaching reaping dividends.
Cork eliminated. Both minor provincial winners are out in the All Ireland semi-final stages. Waterford and Clare’s victories coming from repeated fixtures in recent weeks which galvanized their team performances.
In two week’s time, Clare and Waterford will be a unique All Ireland final pairing. It’s a good story for hurling overall. Waterford have struck gold with this group of players after many years of futile efforts. Clare’s underage success continues. It should be a classic.
Clare had nine different players on the score sheet. Cork had seven different scorers. The standard of the Munster minor teams this season has been off the charts. It is apt that two Munster minor teams advance to the showpiece final.
Clare Scorers
Paul Rodgers (0-13 with 0-10 from placed balls), Ian O’Brien (0-3), Liam Murphy (0-2). Ben Talty (0-3), James O’Donnell (0-1), Rory Ralph (0-2), Evan Cleary (0-1), Dara Kennedy (0-1).
Cork Scorers
Craig O’Sullivan (0-8 with 0-5 points from placed balls), Eoghan O’Shea (0-5), Cormac Deane (1-2), Sam Ring (0-2), Michael T Brosnan (0-3), Jack Counihan (0-1), Ryan Dineen (0-1).