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Allianz HL D1A: Cork cruise to victory

Ciaran Joyce, Cork, and Aaron Fitzgerald, Clare, during the Allianz Hurling League clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Ciaran Joyce, Cork, and Aaron Fitzgerald, Clare, during the Allianz Hurling League clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Cork 2-30 Clare 2-21

Cork’s first game since last August’s All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Limerick resulted in a victory over Clare that was even more comfortable than the nine-point winning margin suggested.

At Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night, Kieran Kingston’s side got off to a winning start in Division 1 Group A of the Allianz HL as they scored an unanswered 1-10 on the final 11 minutes of the first half to move clear of a Banner side that began well but were unable to build on that.

Leading for the first time after Tim O’Mahony’s goal – well worked by Conor Lehane and Shane Kingston after the wing-back had broken a Clare puckout – made it 1-10 to 1-9 and the home side pushed on impressively from there to half-time. They were ten points ahead at half-time and that lead extended to 15 points at one stage in the second half before a spirited Clare finish put a closer complexion on the scoreline.

What will make the manner of the defeat more disappointing for Clare was how they impressed for much of the opening 25 minutes. Missing the likes of Tony Kelly and John Conlon, they answered questions of the Cork defence and Cathal Malone was impressive as he landed three early points. However, the visitors couldn’t move more than two points ahead at any stage and Mark Coleman’s long-range free – the new Cork captain’s third point of the night – tied the game at 0-9 in the 20th minute.

Almost immediately, though, Clare had a goal. Following a good win by Rory Hayes, Robin Mounsey sent a searching ball to Shane Meehan, who showed a good turn of pace to put himself in for a goal opportunity. Unselfishly, he square for Mark Rodgers, whose close-range finish made it 1-9 to 0-9 – that was the 21st minute but, incredibly, Clare wouldn’t score again until five minutes into the second half.

Shane Kingston’s second point of the night brought Cork back to within two points before O’Mahony’s goal put them in front and they eased clear after that, with Séamus Harnedy and Alan Cadogan getting on the scoresheet while debutant Ciarán Joyce and Darragh Fitzgibbon both contributed heavily at midfield and Coleman and Kingston each finished the half with five points.

As Clare’s troubles in front of goal continued at the outset of the second half, Kingston and Fitzgibbon move Cork 12 clear before David Reidy’s free finally ended Clare’s drought. Cork’s firepower ensured that they were always able to respond to the concession of scores – young Clare sub Patrick Crotty was on target twice – and Shane Barrett, sub Pádraig Power and Robert Downey all sent over good scores to make it 1-30 to 1-15 by the 65th minute.

After scores from Rodgers (two) and Diarmuid Ryan for Clare, Cork had their second goal, with Robbie O’Flynn setting up fellow sub Luke Meade.

Clare did finish with 1-3 without reply, their second goal scored by sub Domhnall McMahon, but they will have work to do ahead of next week’s visit of Wexford while Cork go to face Offaly in positive mood.

Scorers for Cork: Shane Kingston 0-9 (0-5f, 0-1 65), Mark Coleman 0-5 (0-3f), Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-4, Ciarán Joyce, Shane Barrett 0-3 each, Luke Meade, Tim O’Mahony 1-0 each, Séamus Harnedy 0-2, Robert Downey, Conor Lehane, Alan Cadogan, Pádraig Power 0-1 each.

Scorers for Clare: Mark Rodgers 1-5 (0-2f), Cathal Malone 0-5, David Reidy 0-3f, Domhnall McMahon 1-0, Ryan Taylor, Diarmuid Ryan, Patrick Crotty 0-2 each, Paddy Donnellan, Shane Meehan 0-1 each.

CORK: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Ger Millerick, Seán O’Donoghue; Tim O’Mahony, Mark Coleman, Robert Downey; Ciarán Joyce, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Conor Lehane, Séamus Harnedy, Seán Twomey; Shane Kingston, Alan Cadogan, Shane Barrett.

Subs: Conor Cahalane for Twomey (43), Jack O’Connor for Lehane (52), Pádriag Power for Cadogan (56), Luke Meade for Harnedy (60), Robbie O’Flynn for Barrett (65), Seán O’Leary Hayes for O’Leary (68, temporary).

CLARE: Eibhear Quilligan; Aaron Fitzgerald, Conor Cleary, Paul Flanagan; Diarmuid Ryan, Jack Browne, Rory Hayes; David McInerney, Robyn Mounsey; Aron Shanagher, Cathal Malone, Ryan Taylor; Mark Rodgers, Shane Meehan, David Reidy.

Subs: Patrick Crotty for Mounsey (40), Domhnall McMahon for Shanagher, David Fitzgerald for Reidy, Paddy Donnellan for McInerney (all 56).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).