Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

Cork 1-19

Dublin 1-17

Fintan O’Toole reports from Croke Park

CORK HELD OFF Dublin’s late challenge to clinch victory in the inaugural All-Ireland U17 hurling final today and provide a boost ahead of the county’s double All-Ireland semi-final billing next Sunday.

Cork will face Dublin in the minor semi-final in next weekend’s curtain-raiser and today’s victory provided a fillip for the Rebels with Daire Connery, Colin O’Brien and Declan Hanlon – all part of the minor squad – leading the scoring charge for Cork.

Connery and O’Brien shared free-taking duties as they struck 0-11 between them while Hanlon chipped in with 0-3 from play.

Cork held a narrow advantage at the break by 1-9 to 1-8 and pushed on in the third quarter to go 1-14 to 1-11 clear. Dublin were reduced to 14 men in the 41st minute when midfielder Tom Aherne was shown a second yellow card. Connery played the role of spare man in defence and mopped up plenty clearances to assist the Cork rearguard.

But Dublin kept challenging despite operating with 14 men. They cut the gap on a few occasions with corner-forward Liam Murphy’s free-taking razor sharp while defenders Enda O’Donnell and Lee Gannon also got forward for key scores.

Yet they could not draw level and Cork benefited from the contribution of substitute Owen McCarthy as he picked off two important points from play.

A terrific effort from the whole team today, but it just wasn't our day. Congratulations to @OfficialCorkGAA, a brilliant match pic.twitter.com/W7Y5koOB35 — Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) August 6, 2017 Source: Dublin GAA /Twitter

The first half hdd produced a pair of goals, one for either side. Dublin were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Kevin Kirwan was fouled and goalkeeper Eddie Gibbons travelled upfield to slam a low short to the net past Eoin Davis.

Six minutes later Cork cancelled that strike out when they raised a green flag of their own. Joe Stack finished decisively from close range after he outmuscled Dublin defender Kevin Burke following a long delivery from wing-back Aaron Walsh-Barry.

Dublin were awarded a second penalty after half-time when Murphy was fouled but on this occasion Gibbons drive whistled over the bar.

Cork pushed on after that with four unanswered points and despite Dublin’s late advances, John Considine’s side held firm to clinch the victory.

Scorers for Cork: Daire Connery 0-6 (0-5f), Colin O’Brien 0-5 (0-3f), Declan Hanlon 0-3, Joe Stack 1-0, Blake Murphy, Owen McCarthy 0-2 each, Cormac O’Brien 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: Liam Murphy 0-7 (0-7f), Eddie Gibbons 1-1 (1-1 pen), Lee Gannon, Billy Ryan 0-2 each, Enda O’Donnell, Tom Aherne, Mícheál Murphy (0-1f), Mark Grogan, Kevin Kirwan 0-1 each.

Cork

1. Eoin Davis (St Catherine’s)

2. Eoin Roche (Bride Rovers)

3. Ciarán Nyhan (Ballinascarthy)

4. Ronan Sheehan (Mallow)

5. Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum)

6. Conor O’Callaghan (Dromtariffe)

7. Aaron Walsh Barry (Carrigtwohill)

8. Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh)

9. Sean Twomey (Courcey Rovers)

10. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)

11. Declan Hanlon (Blarney)

12. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)

13. Blake Murphy (Na Piarsaigh)

14. Joe Stack (Castlemartyr)

15. Colin O’Brien (Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels)

Subs

23. Owen McCarthy (Inniscarra) for O’Connell (35)

24. Shane Barrett (Blarney) for Murphy (52)

Dublin

1. Eddie Gibbons (Kilmacud Crokes)

2. Andrew Dunphy (St Brigid’s)

3. Kevin Burke (Na Fianna)

4. Tommy Kinnane (Naomh Mearnóg)

5. Seán Kinsella (Kilmacud Crokes)

6. Enda O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille)

7. Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcille)

8. Tom Aherne (Ballinteer St John’s)

9. Mícheál Murphy (Na Fianna)

10. Mark Grogan (Kilmacud Crokes – captain)

11. Billy Ryan (Craobh Chiaráin)

12. Kevin Kirwan (Cuala)

13. Liam Murphy (Cuala)

14. Kevin Desmond (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)

15. Luke McDwyer (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)

Subs

19. Seán Clerkin (St Oliver Plunkett’s Eoghan Ruadh) for Desmond (44)

20. Liam Dunne (Raheny) for Murphy (51)

24. Mark Sweeney (St Vincent’s) for Kirwan (53)

Referee: John Keane (Galway)

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