All-Ireland IHC final: Rebels bridge five-year gap
August 09, 2014
Cork's David Drake
Wexford 2-12
Cork have been crowned All-Ireland intermediate hurling champions for the first time since 2009 after second half goals from Mickey O'Sullivan and David Drake propelled them to a six-point victory over Wexford at Nowlan Park.
Aided by eight points (five frees) from Peter O'Brien, the Munster champions recovered from a disastrous start to take the title. The game was barely 10 seconds old when former dual star Redmond Barry got the slightest of touches to Jim Berry's delivery for a Wexford goal, but Liam Doyle's men failed to build on that early boost as the Rebels stormed back in the second half.
Despite playing with a strong breeze to their backs, the Model men only led by a point, 1-7 to 0-9, at the break.
Within four minutes of the restart, the Rebels had notched up four unanswered points and they were well on their way to the win when O'Sullivan's goal put them 1-13 to 1-7 clear in the 37th minute.
Wexford replied with points from Peter Murphy and Tommy Dwyer before they were dealt another hammer blow when Anthony Spillane set up David Drake for Cork's second goal in the 41st minute to make it 2-13 to 1-9.
The Leinster champions were given a glimmer of hope when sub Nicky Kirwan netted with seven minutes remaining to cut the gap to four points, but Liam Hayes' charges hit back with scores from Colm Casey, Drake and Barry Lawton to put the result beyond doubt.
Cork - R Cunningham; J Callaghan, A Dennehy, B O'Sullivan; C Barry, T Healy, M Walsh; N Kelly, J Cronin (0-1); C Spillane, P O'Brien (0-8, 5f), M O'Sullivan (1-1); C Casey (0-4), D Drake (1-1), A Spillane (0-1). Subs: B Lawton (0-2) for M Walsh, M Sugrue for A Spillane, R Crowley for D Drake
Wexford - N Breen; B Mulligan, J Breen, B Kehoe; P Naughter, M Jacob, M Maloney; B Jacob, T O'Dwyer (0-3, 2f); B Jordan (0-1), J Berry (0-1), P Murphy (0-2); E Kent (0-3f), R Barry (1-0), J Reck. Subs: G Dolan for P Murphy, A Rochford for P Naughter, G Dolan for B Jacob, T O'Leary for E Kent, N Kirwan (1-2) for J Reck.
Referee - A Kelly. Tweet
