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April 27 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Clarecastle Referee: Eoghan Ó Muircheartaigh (Kerry)
Electric Ireland Munster GAA Football Minor Championship
Cork defeated Clare by 4-25 to 0-12 in Round 1 of the Electric Ireland Munster GAA Football Minor Championship Phase 2 on Monday April 27th at Clarecastle.
Cork minors hit 4-23 from play in emphatic victory over Clare https://t.co/nDp2J86iDy
— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) April 27, 2026
Cork minors hit 4-23 from play in emphatic victory over Clare
Report by Barry O’Mahony courtesy of the Irish Examiner newspaper
Munster MFC: Cork: 4-25 (4-1-23) Clare: 0-12 (0-1-10)
Cork made a brilliant start to their Electric Ireland Munster MFC campaign with a big victory over Clare in their Phase 2 Round 1 game at Clarecastle on Monday evening.
The Rebels settled quickly and took control of proceedings, which was notable given it was their first championship outing while Clare had already played three games in coming through Phase 1.
Keith Ricken’s side produced a dominant first half, establishing a 17-point lead at the interval in what was an excellent display.
Ben Hegarty and Tom Whooley were outstanding up front, while Conor Downing anchored things impressively at the back. Hegarty was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution, but Cork continued to pull away, finishing with 4-23 from play in a commanding performance.
The result sets them up nicely for their next group game away to Kerry in Tralee next Monday.
It was an even opening, the sides sharing the first four points inside five minutes, Hegarty supplying Cork’s scores, one from a free. The Rebels soon began to turn the screw, with Kieran O’Shea and Conrad Murphy gaining the upper hand at midfield. Dónal Herlihy pointed before Whooley and Eoghan Ahern were both unlucky not to raise green flags.
The teams traded points as Cork led 0-4 to 0-3 after 13 minutes. The Leesiders still held a narrow advantage as the half progressed before a sweeping move ended with Jacob Barry finishing to the net, pushing Cork 1-5 to 0-4 ahead with 12 minutes to the break.
Cork kicked two of the next three points, Liam Keane with Clare’s score, before Ricken’s charges embarked on a decisive scoring burst. Seven scores in succession effectively ended the contest, including goals from Herlihy and Whooley and a two-pointer from Murphy, sending Cork in 3-13 to 0-5 ahead at half-time.
The Rebels resumed where they left off, taking two of the first three white flags of the second half. Keane tapped over a straightforward free for Clare, but even at this juncture, it felt too steep of a climb for the hosts.
Cork remained in complete control, hitting 1-4 without reply, with captain Joe Miskella finishing a tidy goal to make it 4-19 to 0-7 after 47 minutes. The sides exchanged points before the excellent Ahern clipped over his third.
The game petered out in the closing stages, Cork adding two of the next three scores, with substitute Riain Coakley’s effort the standout.
Clare did register back-to-back scores, including a Seán O’Callaghan orange flag, as they trailed 4-23 to 0-12 entering the final stages.
Impressive sub Alex O’Herlihy rounded off the evening with a pair of points — three in total for him — as Cork cruised to a comprehensive win.
Scorers for Cork: T Whooley 1-5, J Miskella, D Herlihy 1-2 each, B Hegarty 0-4 (0-2 f), C Murphy (1 2pt), E Ahern, A O’Herlihy 0-3 each, J Barry 1-0, C Garvey, C Downing, R Coakley 0-1 each.
Scorers for Clare: L Keane 0-5 (0-4 f), S O’Callaghan 0-2 (1 2pt), C Killeen, R Cotter, T Dillon, R Kelly, R Brady 0-1 each.
CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); C O’Riordan (Blarney), G Oronsaye (Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels), C Garvey (St Finbarr’s); D O’Sullivan (Erin’s Own), C Downing (Adrigole), E Lynch (Ballincollig); K O’Shea (Urhan), C Murphy (Ibane Gaels); E Ahern (Carrigaline), B Hegarty (Ballinora), J Miskella (Ballincollig, capt); T Whooley (Clonakilty), J Barry (Aghinagh), D Herlihy (Shamrocks).
Subs: D O’Mahony (Newcestown) for B Hegarty (h-t), A O’Herlihy (St Finbarr’s) for J Barry (42), R Coakley (Éire Óg) for D Herlihy, P Kelly (Naomh Abán) for C Murphy (both 46), M Corkery (Nemo Rangers) for T Whooley (50).
CLARE: C Griffin; G Browne, S Neenan, T O’Loughlin; E Soffe, C Killeen, S O’Neill; S Cahill, J Lavin; R Cotter, Z O’Shea, T Dillon; R Kelly, L Keane, S O’Callaghan.
Subs: P Neylon for E Cahill (10-12, blood), P Neylon for C Killeen (28), J Greene for J Lavin, T Bane for Z O’Shea (both h-t), D Healy for E Soffe (42), R Brady for T Dillon (49).
Referee: Eoghan Ó Muircheartaigh (Kerry).
Ticket Information
Adults: €10
Students / OAPs: €5
Under 16’s: Free
Tickets are available from participating Centra and Supervalu outlets or online via the link below.
Team News
Clare have named their side to begin Phase Two of the @ElectricIreland @MunsterGAA Minor Football Championship with a home tie in Clarecastle vs Cork tomorrow night.
Throw in is at 7:00pm and match tickets are available at https://t.co/wuwP0fz2Na
Best of luck lads 💪🟡🔵🟡… pic.twitter.com/sud9SUMRWc
— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) April 26, 2026
Cork minor football team to play Clare in Round 1, Phase 2 Munster Minor Football Championship has been announced. pic.twitter.com/X0Gd3FvVQl
— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) April 26, 2026
