Brian Hurley inspires Cork to win over Clare in McGrath Cup opener

Cork 2-9 Clare 0-10

Brian Hurley inspired Cork to an opening day victory under new manager Keith Ricken at a wind-swept Hennessy Memorial Park, Milltown Malbay on Saturday.

Cork will now be fancied to emerge from their McGrath Cup group with a second game to come against Waterford on Tuesday.

Hurley scored 1-6 as Cork turned around leading by 1-6 to 0-7 at half-time after playing against the near gale-force wind.

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The goal came on the half-hour mark, when newcomer Rory Maguire punched home a Mark Cronin Cross.

Cork dominated the second half to race 2-9 to 0-7 in front with Hurley supplying the second goal after 43 minutes.

Despite losing substitute Tadhg Corkery to a second yellow card, Cork ran out comfortable winners after Clare took 30 minutes to score in the second half.

Cork: C Kelly; K Crowley, S Meehan, P Ring; R Maguire (0-1), S Powter, C Kiely; P Walsh, J Grimes; D O'Connell (1-0), F Herlihy, C O'Callaghan; M Cronin (0-2, one free), B Hurley (1-6, four frees), D Gore.

Subs: P Allen, K O'Donovan, D Buckley, B Murphy, L Fahy, K Cremin, D Phelan, T Corkery.

Clare: S Ryan; D Connelly, E Collins, C Morrissey; C O Dea, A Sweeney, D Walsh; D Bohannon, D O'Neill; E McMahon (0-1), K Sexton (0-3, two frees), C Downes; M McInerney (0-3, two frees), J McGann, A Griffin (0-3).

Subs: T O'Brien, R Lanigan, J Sheedy, M Byrne, D Keating, P Kelly, T McDonald, M Doherty, A Shannon, B McNamara, C O'Connor.

Referee: S Mulvihill (Kerry)