2024 Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League – Cork 1-24 Clare 0-24

Cork defeated Clare by 1-24 to 0-24 in Round 3 of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League on Sunday January 14th at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Conor Lehane goal the difference as Rebels edge Clare

Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League Group A Cork 1-24 Clare 0-24

Report by Stephen Barry for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Conor Lehane’s first-minute goal gave a more experienced Cork side the Munster Hurling League victory over Clare at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Lehane had 1-3 before being rested at half-time, while Shane Kingston added 0-8. They could’ve won by far more but for 22 wides to Clare’s three.

The Banner had impressive performances from Cathal Malone and Robin Mounsey (0-4), while free-taker Aidan McCarthy tallied 0-13 by the end.

Cork are scheduled to face Limerick on Wednesday at Rathkeale, with the winners to meet Waterford in next Sunday’s final. A draw would send John Kiely’s side through.

Pat Ryan had named the same team as were due to start their postponed opener against Limerick last weekend, although late switches saw Cathal McCarthy, Ciarán Joyce, and Brian Roche replace Seán O’Donoghue, Conor O’Callaghan and Darragh Fitzgibbon.

Brian Lohan made a full quota of 15 changes from their midweek loss to the All-Ireland champions, including a pre-match call-up for Stephen Conway in place of Keelan Hartigan.

There were debuts for Tadhg Dean, Aidan Moriarty, Cian Barron, and Killian O’Connor, plus first starts for another handful of hopefuls.

The hosts had the greater exposure to this level, though, and their most seasoned campaigner popped up with a goal after 59 seconds. Lehane latched onto debutant Brion Saunderson’s puck-out and he went all the way to rattle the net.

Cork held that cushion for most of the half, with Lehane adding three points, Kingston scoring 0-8, four of those from play, and Robbie Cotter impressing with an efficient three points.

At the other end, Mounsey started centre-forward and he prospered with four points, while McCarthy reeled off 0-7.

They were level for the only time in the 24th minute, 1-7 to 0-10, but Cork had the next three points in a row and never looked back. Jack O’Connor twice threatened goal, hooked by Conor Cleary the first time and then whizzing the sliotar just over.

By half-time, they had forged five ahead, 1-16 to 0-14. It could’ve been more given the 9-1 wide count.

The scoring rate dropped sharply with four substitutions on either side at the break, and Cork replacement Declan Dalton limped off soon after.

Conn Smyth hooked Brian Hayes to deny Cork a second goal but they maintained their lead with points from subs Darragh Flynn and Cormac Beausang.

They looked home and hosed at 1-22 to 0-18 with 11 minutes on the clock but Clare reeled off the next six points, including a pair for Keith Smyth, to leave one in the difference.

Frees from Flynn and Saunderson made it safe.

Scorers for Cork: S Kingston (0-8, 3 frees, 1 65); C Lehane (1-3); R Cotter (0-4); D Flynn (0-3, 2 frees); B Saunderson (free), E Carey, R O’Flynn, J O’Connor, B Hayes, C Beausang (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clare: A McCarthy (0-13, 10 frees); R Mounsey (0-4); C Barron, K Smyth (0-2 each); C Malone, K O’Connor, C O’Meara (0-1 each).

CORK: B Saunderson; C McCarthy, R Downey, G Millerick; C Joyce, T O’Connell, C O’Brien; E Carey, B Roche; S Twomey, C Lehane, S Kingston; J O’Connor, B Hayes, R Cotter.
Subs: D O’Leary for Joyce (h-t), S Quirke for Roche (h-t), D Dalton for Twomey (h-t), D Flynn for Lehane (h-t), S Barrett for Dalton (42, inj), R O’Flynn for Kingston (44), C Beausang for O’Connor (49), E Roche for O’Brien (58), S O’Donoghue for Carey (69).

CLARE: C Broderick; D Tuohy, C Cleary, S Morey; T Dean, D McMahon, O Cahill; A Moriarty, C Malone; G Sheedy, R Mounsey, K O’Connor; C Barron, A McCarthy, S Conway.
Subs: Ross Hayes for Cahill (32), C Smyth for Dean (h-t), P Donnellan for Moriarty (h-t), C O’Meara for O’Connor (h-t), É Crimmins for Conway (h-t), K Smyth for Mounsey (47), J Kirwan for Sheedy (50), K Hartigan for McMahon (58), D Cahill for Barron (58).

Referee: É Stapleton (Limerick).

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Team News

The Cork Senior Hurling Team to play Clare in the Co Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League has been announced https://t.co/EGfoi6yhDL#SportsDirectIreland #BorntoPlay

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) January 12, 2024

CORK (v Clare Munster SHL) B Saunderson (Midleton); G Millerick (Fr.O Neill’s), R Downey (Glen Rovers), S O Donoghue (Inniscarra, captain); C O’Callaghan (Dromtarriffe), T O’Connell (Midleton) C O’Brien (Newtownshandrum); E Carey (Kilworth), D Fitzgibbon (Charleville); S Twomey (Courcey Rovers), C Lehane (Midleton), S Kingston (Douglas), J O Connor (Sarsfields), B Hayes (St. Finbarrs), R Cotter (Blackrock).
Substitutes: P Collins (Ballinhassig), C McCarthy (Sarsfields), E Roche (Bride Rovers), D Harrington (Fr.O Neill’s), D O’Leary (Watergrasshill), S Quirke (Midleton), B Roche (Bride Rovers), C Beausang (Midleton), D Flynn (Ballygiblin), S Barrett (Blarney),D Dalton (Fr. O Neill’s).

The Clare side that will travel to Pairc Uí Rinn to face Cork in Sunday’s @MunsterGAA @CoOpSuperstores Senior Hurling League tie has been named . Throw in is at 2pm . Best of luck lads 👍 pic.twitter.com/IB2ttU2vCo

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) January 12, 2024