EIRGRID ALL IRELAND UNDER 21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Cork 2-15 Monaghan 1-16

By Cian O'Connell at O’Connor Park, Tullamore

A classy Cork side claimed victory following an interesting EirGrid All Ireland under 21 semi-final at O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Two first half goals from Peter Kelleher and Ryan Harkin proved to be crucial scores for Cork, who fended off Monaghan’s spirited challenge.

An exciting opening period dripped with scores with Cork eventually going in at the break armed with a slender 2-7 to 1-9 lead.

With Barry McGinn instrumental Monaghan led by 0-4 to 0-3 by the 12th minute, but then Cork bagged a goal.

Sean Powter skipped clear providing the assist for Peter Kelleher, who bundled the ball over the line for a Cork goal.

Monaghan summoned an instant response as McGinn unleashed a powerful drive which rattled the Cork net.

Donal Meegan added a point to edge Monaghan two points ahead, but Cork responded by reeling off 1-3 without reply.

Ryan Harkin, Brian Coakley, and Sean O’Donoghue rifled points and Cork struck a second goal in the 23rd minute.

Coakley and Michael Hurley crafted space for Harkin, who supplied a crisp finish to guide Cork four points to the good.

Monaghan, with McGinn hugely impressive, finished the first half strongly hitting four of the last five points to leave the minimum between the teams.

After the restart Powter and the splendid O’Donoghue continued to occupy important roles for Cork, who were four points clear by the 40th minute.

Monaghan were defiant throughout staying in contention, but despite a late rally which included points from McGinn and Ryan McAnespie, Cork held on to set up an April 30 decider with Mayo.

Scorers for Cork: S O'Donoghue 0-4, R Harkin 1-1, M Hurley 0-3, S Powter 0-3, P Kelleher 1-0, B Coakley 0-2, R O'Toole 0-1, S Sherlock 0-1.

Scorers for Monaghan: B McGinn 1-6 (4fs), F McMahon 0-3, C McCarthy 0-3 (1f), D Meegan 0-1, D Ward 0-1, R McAnespie 0-1, C Forde 0-1(f).

Cork: A Casey; M McSweeney, J Mullins, D Quinn; K Flahive, S Cronin, K Histon; S White, S O'Leary; S O'Donoghue, S Powter, R Harkin; B Coakley, P Kelleher, M Hurley.

Subs: E Lavers for O'Leary (31 mins), R O'Toole for Quinn (40 mins), S Sherlock for Coakley (45 mins, bc), D O'Duinnin for Harkin (55 mins), C Dorgan for Powter (60 mins).

Monaghan: C Forde; B Kerr, M Murnaghan, K Loughran; D Ward, J Mealiff, N Rooney; N Loughman, A Lynch; R McAnespie, B McGinn, D Meegan; A Treanor, C McCarthy, F McMahon.

Subs: F Maguire for Treanor (17 mins), A Curran for Lynch (35 mins), B McBennett for McMahon (39 mins).

Referee: J Hickey (Carlow).