Round-up: Dalata Hotel Group Munster U2O Football Championship

Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 Football Championship phase 2 round 2

Cork 0-10 (0-2-6) Kerry 0-9 (0-0-9)

Clare 2-13 (2-2-9) Waterford 2-14 (2-0-14)

By Stephen Barry

Despite losing senior starter Dara Sheedy to injury, Cork recorded their first Dalata Hotel Group Munster U20 Football Championship victory over Kerry in seven attempts with a nerve-jangling triumph at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Meanwhile, Waterford’s rising tide saw Paddy McCarthy slot a last-kick winner against Clare for their third win of this campaign.

All four sides could yet qualify for the final heading into the third round, with Cork on three points, Kerry and Waterford on two, and Clare on one.

For Cork, it was a win they needed more after drawing away to the Banner in the first round.

The worry for Ray Keane after beating his native county concerned centre-forward Sheedy, who pulled up seemingly clutching his hamstring after 20 minutes.

Having chosen to play with the swirling wind, Kerry owned the ball for the first 10 minutes. Seán Ó Cúinn pointed after 30 seconds, followed by a Paddy Lane free and a deflected Ronan Carroll effort. That ninth-minute flag would be their last score of the half.

In a game of baffling swings, a Cork side who took six minutes to touch the ball were level by the 15th minute. Seán O’Leary, a solo Sheedy score, and Danny Miskella’s free made it 0-3 apiece.

For the next twist, the second quarter passed without any score, although Evan Boyle had a good point waved wide despite the ball coming in off the post on its way over the bar.

Cork hit the front within 20 seconds of the resumption. Mark O’Brien lofted over a two-pointer from outside the 45-metre line and half-time substitute Dylan O’Neill soon made it double scores.

Kerry senior Tomás Kennedy (0-2), a Lane free, and Máirtín McKivergan had them level at 0-7 apiece.
Odhran Foley edged Cork back ahead. After Kerry’s 13th wide, Danny Miskella’s orange flag gave the hosts a three-point cushion with five minutes remaining.

Kerry began to nibble into the deficit entering the three added minutes, but after scores from Daniel Kirby and a Kennedy free, they didn’t get the ball forward in time for one last shot.

Meanwhile, Waterford emerged 2-14 to 2-13 victors over Clare in a game switched from Quilty to Kilmihill.
Donnacha O’Dwyer had a quickfire 1-1 to build an early home lead before two-pointers from goalkeeper

Harry O’Gorman (free) and Seán Fennell made it 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time.

When Daire Culligan netted a brilliant goal after 37 minutes, Clare led by double scores, 2-8 to 0-7. That advantage didn’t last long as David Nyhan and Joe Brennan blasted to the net to level.

Waterford extended that for a 2-3 streak to lead 2-10 to 2-8. Clare reeled off four in a row through O’Dwyer, Culligan (0-2), and a O’Gorman 45 to wrestle control.

But Waterford finished stronger through three consecutive McCarthy frees, with the latter pair arriving deep in stoppage time.