February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mike Fitzpatrick
Cork 1-19, New Jersey 2-12
It’s not often that the lads from the junior ranks of New York hurling get to parade their talents at Gaelic Park, so nobody knew quite what to expect when these two rivals came head to head in this clash of the ash. A great game, which did wonders to promote the junior ranks of hurling in the city ensued, with Cork eventually seeing off their out of state rivals in an encounter that swung both ways.
Cork held the upper hand throughout much of the game, with John Murphy opening proceedings with an early point, swiftly followed by a goal.
New Jersey came back and hit some efforts over the bar thanks to Michael Dennis and Kevin Corbett.
Cork remained in power, however, with another couple of points from Ken Barry and John Murphy. It was Barry and Murphy who dominated the scoreboard throughout the first half as the two Cork hurlers continued to bang efforts over the bar to give the Munster side a healthy lead going into the break.
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Leading by a five point scoreline of 1-10 to 1-5, after Michael Dennis had grabbed a goal for New Jersey, Cork looked to be in control going into the second half. A point apiece immediately after the commencement of the second half for either side reminded the Gaelic Park faithful that we had a contest on our hands.
Kevin Corbett snatched two efforts for New Jersey to bring his side back into the contest, and John Murphy continued to register points at the other end.
Cork’s John Murphy must surely have made an impact upon any senior hurling managers watching the tie, with a phenomenal display for the rebel county, and his tally of 1-8 was thoroughly deserved.
New Jersey continued to fight back, with Corbett hitting another couple of points, and a late goal to really put the shivers down the Cork spines.
Once more though at Gaelic Park, it was evident that strong finishes are not always enough to win games. Cork banged in another couple of points late in the game to finish as winners. Although Corbett did his best to steal a late victory for New Jersey, it was to be the Munster side’s day.
Cork: Dan Ryan, Kenny Delanty, Dan Harrington, Eoghan O’Connor, Morgan Burns, Paul Henley, Kenneth Barry (0-3), Shane Kennefleck (0-3), Alan Barry (0-2), Martin O’Flynn (0-1), John Murphy (1-8), Brian Hogan, Joe O’Sullivan (0-2).
New Jersey: Tony Spillane, Tom Bermingham, Sean Dennis, Cathal O’Shaughnessy, Paul Langan, Pat O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Colin Gaughan, Kevin Moore (0-1), Kevin Corbett (1-6), John Slattery (0-1), Pio Kellegan, Michael Dennis (1-3), Brian O’Kane.