Cork edged out Clare 1-18 to 0-20 in a dramatic Munster Senior Hurling League clash in Mallow, securing their first win under manager Ben O'Connor but failing to qualify for the final. A late penalty converted by Ben Cunningham turned the game in the Rebels' favor after trailing for most of the match. The result sees Limerick advance to face Waterford in the decider.
The match in Mallow on Monday evening saw Clare take an early lead, racing into a 0-4 to 0-0 advantage with points from Jack O’Neill, Diarmuid Ryan, Dylan McMahon, and Keith Smyth. Ben Cunningham got Cork on the board with a free in the ninth minute, but Clare extended their lead to 0-9 to 0-3 by the 20th minute, with Senan Dunford starting a run of five unanswered points.
At halftime, Clare led 0-12 to 0-7, having benefited from the wind and hit six wides in the first half. Cork, playing into a strong breeze in the second half, mounted a comeback, reducing the gap to one point by the end of the third quarter. Clare responded with points from Shane Meehan and Diarmuid Stritch to lead 0-18 to 0-13 with ten minutes remaining.
The turning point came in the 57th minute when referee Johnny Murphy awarded Cork a penalty after Conor Cleary fouled Seán Desmond in the square. Cunningham, who finished with 1-10 including seven frees and a 65, buried the penalty low to the left corner, giving Cork their first lead at 1-14 to 0-18. Alan Walsh added a point, and despite a late free from substitute Mark Rodgers, Walsh sealed the one-point win with another score.
New Cork manager Ben O’Connor praised the effort: “What we wanted was work, and work hard.” Clare’s Brian Lohan reflected, “Leading the game all the way and then conceding the goal from the penalty is a bit frustrating.” The defeat ended Clare’s campaign, as a draw would have sufficed for progression. Waterford, having topped Group A, will meet Limerick in the final on Saturday.
