Cork stars do most of the damage in low-key affair

Interprovincial Football Semi-final/ Munster 2-11 Leinster 0-12: Munster are on course for a first title since 1999 after producing an impressive second-half recovery in a low-intensity semi-final at Fermoy on Saturday, reports Edward Newman.

The 400 home supporters had plenty to cheer about with 2-10 of Munster's total coming from Cork representatives.

The second-half recovery was initiated by Graham Canty's (moved from full back at the start of the half) and Séamus Scanlon's midfield influence and the scoring threat of Conor McCarthy. Goals from Pierce O'Neill and John Miskella helped turn the tide in Munster's favour and the Leinster challenge faded.

While the Cork contingent provided almost all of Munster's scores, Kerry teenager Tommy Walsh impressed at full forward. The tall and physically powerful 19-year-old was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, but gave subtle passes for both Munster's second-half goals.

Leinster began well with Shane Ryan leading the charge from midfield, and Dessie Dolan, Mark Carpenter and Paul Barden finding the range. Niall McNamee and Dolan landed good scores to leave it 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Graham Geraghty landed the first of two Leinster points just after the interval but then the Meath man got sent off with Aidan O'Mahony after a minor punch-up near the side line.

Walsh set up Cork men O'Neill and Miskella for well-executed goals in the 58th and 60th minutes respectively to seal the issue.

MUNSTER: A Quirke (Cork); T O'Gorman (Waterford), G Canty (Cork), T O'Sullivan (Kerry); K O'Connor (Cork), G Spillane (Cork, 0-1), A O'Mahony (Kerry); S Scanlon (Kerry), M Aherne (Waterford); F Gould (Cork, 0-3, one 45), P O'Neill (Cork, 1-0), J Miskella (Cork, 1-1); L Ó Lionáin (Waterford), T Walsh (Kerry), C McCarthy (Cork, 0-5, three frees). Subs: C O'Neill (Cork) for Ó Lionáin (half-time); D Moran (Kerry, 0-1)for Aherne (57 mins); E Sexton (Cork) for O'Neill (59 mins).

LEINSTER: D Sheridan (Longford); D Henry (Dublin), C Evans (Offaly), D Reilly (Longford); P Casey (Dublin), C Moran (Dublin), C King (Meath); S Ryan (Dublin), R Sweeney (Kildare); M Carpenter (Carlow, 0-1), P Barden (Longford, 0-2), G Geraghty (Meath, 0-2); B Kavanagh (Longford), D Dolan (Westmeath, 0-5, four frees), J Doyle (Kildare). Subs: N McNamee (Offaly, 0-1)for Evans (inj, 12 mins); B Brogan (Dublin, 0-1)for Moran (blood, 12-18 mins); Brogan for B Kavanagh (blood, 29-35 mins); B Brogan for Sweeney (62 mins), G Dolan (Westmeath) for Barden (62 mins).

Referee: G Ó Conámha(Galway).