Youthful Cork side thrills Tompkins

Cork's superior finishing was they key factor in this emphatic win at Casement Park, their second in two games

Cork's superior finishing was they key factor in this emphatic win at Casement Park, their second in two games. The home team chalked up 13 wides, nine in the second half, and their goalkeeper, Sean McGreevy produced three outstanding saves, the last in the 67th minute to deny Mark O'Sullivan.

"The young lads are getting a chance and they were very good," said Cork manager Larry Tompkins, who was particularly impressed with robust and resolute performances by full back Graham Canty and impressive corner back John Miskella.

"It took us a while to get going, but we were very much understrength, with players unavailable and a few injuries, so I was very pleased with the way the team performed," he added. The visitors took 20 minutes to settle into their stride before accelerating into a 06 to 0-1 lead with fine points from Mark O'Sullivan, Philip Clifford and man of the match Fionan Murray, who finished the game with three points.

They established a 0-10 to 0-2 lead by the 50th minute, and while points by Owen Doherty and Kevin Madden raised the brief prospect of a revival by the home team the necessary goals never came.

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For all Antrim's possession and fine approach work from defence, their main target men continued to be frustrated by outstanding defenders Canty, Miskella and Anthony Lynch.

CORK: K O'Dwyer; J Miskella (0-1), G Canty, A Lynch (0- 1); M O'Donovan, A O'Connor, G Lynch; N Murphy (0-1), BG O'Sullivan; P O'Mahony (0-3, one free), P Clifford (0-3, one free), M Cronin; P Mullane, M O'Sullivan (0-1), F Murray (0-3). Subs: D Wiseman for G Lynch (33 mins); J Lynch for B G O'Sullivan (55 mins); T Kenny for Clifford (65 mins).

ANTRIM: S McGreevy; E McLarnon, T Convery, G Bell; K Murray, M Mulholland, G Adams; J Quinn, J Barr; C McCabe, P Murphy (0-1), E Doherty (0-1); K Brady (0-1), K Madden (0-1), E Quinn. Subs: F McGourty for E Quinn (44 mins); A Hannon for Murphy (57 mins); K Herron for Murray (65 mins); P Burns for McClarnon (67 mins). Referee: B Duff (Kildare).