Cork 2-21
Clare 0-18

Cork booked their place in this year's Waterford Crystal Cup final courtesy of a nine point victory over Clare at Mallow today.

Two first-half goals from Luke O'Farrell laid the foundations for Jimmy Barry-Murphy's men who had to withstand an improved second-half showing from the visitors.

Darren McCarthy opened the scoring for the Rebel County and they led by 1-4 to 0-5 by the 15th minute.

O'Farrell raised his first green flag in the 11th minute and the full-forward found the back of the Banner net for a second time three minutes before the break.

The team in red and white went in at the break with a sizeable 2-13 to 0-7 lead.

Facing a mountain to climb, Davy Fitzgerald's charges gave a much better account of themselves during the third quarter.

They outscored the hosts by seven points to one but Cork pulled away again to record a surprisingly convincing success.

O'Farrell finished the contest with 2-3 to his name while Cian McCarthy sent over seven points (three frees and two 65s) for the winners.

Cork - P Collins; C O'Sullivan, D Cahalane, S O'Donoghue; B O'Sullivan (0-1), L McLoughlin, G O'Connor; B Murray (0-1), Andy Walsh (0-2); P Kelleher (0-1), C McCarthy (0-7, 3f, 2'65), B Lawton; S Moylan (0-2), L O'Farrell (2-3), D McCarthy (0-1). Subs: P Haughney (0-1) for B Murray, D Lee (0-1) for P Kelleher, M Ellis for G O'Connor, A Frahill O'Connor (0-1) for B Lawton, W Kearney for S O'Donoghue.

Clare - P Kelly; D O'Donovan, C Duggan, S Morey; C Cleary, Conor Ryan, G O'Connell; B Bugler (0-3), Colin Ryan (0-3, 1f); P Donnellan (0-2), B Duggan (0-4), S Golden (0-1); D O'Halloran, A Cunningham, C O'Connell (0-4, 3f). Subs: C Dillon for Conor Ryan, P Flanagan for G O'Connell, J Conlon for D O'Halloran, D Keane (0-1) for P Donnellan.

Referee - P Foley.

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