A general view of Páirc Uí Rinn. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling Championship round 4
Cork 1-21 Waterford 1-15
Clare 2-20 Limerick 0-18
By Stephen Barry
Cormac Deane's sublime eight-point haul secured Cork's place in the Electric Ireland Munster Minor Hurling final with a round to spare.
The young Rebels wrapped up a six-point victory over Waterford, who will meet Clare in a de facto semi-final next Friday.
The Banner emerged as eight-point winners over Limerick, who will advance to the All-Ireland series as the fourth-ranked team in Munster.
In a clash of the two unbeaten teams at Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork scored 11 of the final 13 points to overturn a one-goal deficit against Waterford.
Deane, son of Rebel icon Joe, racked up his entire haul from open play, scoring the first three points in quick succession for a 0-5 to 0-3 lead. The centre-forward also had a goal chance saved by James Comerford.
Waterford hit back with four in a row, including three from Cormac Spain (two frees).
Cork edged ahead when Colm Garde’s long-range attempt squirmed over the goalline. Jack Power’s third point levelled but Ruairc Donovan sent the hosts in 1-7 to 0-9 up at half-time.
Another long-range effort led to the Waterford goal. Comerford’s free dropped for Jamie Shanahan, who immediately buried into the top corner. He finished with 1-3 to his name.
They led 1-13 to 1-10 but Cork dug deep with six points in succession. Deane scored two, and drew another save from Comerford, while Craig O’Sullivan tagged on three placed balls.
Andrew Power and Spain brought the margin back to the minimum with eight minutes remaining but Deane’s trio, O’Sullivan’s ninth, and Tom C Walsh’s reaction save from Spain saw out the win.
Meanwhile, at TUS Gaelic Grounds, Paul Rodgers scored 1-10 (nine frees) and Ian O’Brien 1-5 as Clare registered a 2-20 to 0-18 victory.
Three placed balls in a row from Rodgers as part of a four-point streak opened up a first-half lead. Dara Kennedy and John Barry’s second points left it 0-11 to 0-5 at midway.
Limerick stuck to their task with Shane Waters and Cian Dennehy taking their tallies to 0-4, while Paul Murphy landed six frees.
They got within four but Clare turned for home on the three-quarter mark. Liam Murphy smartly rounded his marker and looped a handpass across for Rodgers to dispatch a two-touch finish without taking the sliotar to hand. That made it 1-15 to 0-10.
They wrapped it up in the 58th minute with a brilliant six-pass move from a short puck-out. Rodgers gave the final ball for O’Brien to rifle high to the net.
