Sunday July 13 - Junior A Football: Cork v Shannon Blues

Cork 5-12 Shannon Blues 1-8

Cork continued their unbeaten run in the junior A football championship with a convincing win over Shannon Blues.  By half time Cork had put the game more or less beyond the Blues.  Two goals from Cathal Moriarty, and another from Mark Browne had Cork firmly in the drivers seat.

Conor Fitzgerald and the Shannon Blues could not come to terms with
Eoin Barry and Cork.

Cork put in a comprehensive first 30 minutes and left the Shannon Blues reeling and frustrated.  An early point from Mike Moynihan was followed by a well worked Cathal Moriarty goal.  Colm Caffrey was very involved in affairs, and the center forward set up Cork's second goal for Mark Browne.  The Blues struggled as Cork were on top in most areas of the field.  Having worked hard to put three points on the board, one from Francie O'Neill and two from Vinnie Cadden, Cork canceled it out with one stroke after netting a third time through Moriarty. 

All the while the points tally was climbing for the rebels, Moynihan, Moriarty, Caffrey, Shea Leonard, and Downey Brogan stretched the lead.  Even Mick Lyons in goal pulled off a fine save from Conor Fitzgerald to deny the Blues a goal late in the half.  It was a 3-9 to 0-4 score that saw the teams into the break.

Cork still unbeaten after 5 games.

The Blues pointed about 15 seconds after the restart through Brian Bannon, and in general made a better fist of it.  The effort level was noticeably higher, though Cork's lead was in little danger.  Cork eased their way through the Blues defence on a handful of occasions to keep a safe distance between the teams.  Moynihan netted on one of those occasions.  Brian Bannon worked tremendously hard for the Blues and set up a goal for Conor Fitzgerald with 10 minutes remaining.  There was still eleven points in it at that stage and Cork eased their way through the remainder of the game.

Cork:  M. Lyons, E. Barry, M. Carolan, D. Brogan, D. O'Regan, D. O'Donovan, J. Lynch, N. O'Connor, M. Browne, C. Caffrey, S. Leonard, C. Moriarty, M. Moynihan.  Blues:  M. Moriarty, J. Craig, C. Moriarty, S. Sinnott, F. O'Neill, B. Bannon, P. Murray, V. Cadden, T. Hernon, T. Sears, L. Duffy, J. Moriarty, C. Fitzgerald.

By Rory O'Donnell