Cork crowned U20 champions as Rebels power past Offaly

Cork's underage resurgence continues as Ben O'Connor's side captured a third oneills.com All-Ireland Hurling Championship title in four years at a sun-splashed FBD Semple Stadium.

It wasn’t long ago that Cork were 22 years without a national trophy at this grade but they will now hope this crop can help them end their senior drought, led by goal-scorers Micheál Mullins and Diarmuid Healy plus Ben Cunningham (0-09).

A Faithful public ravenous for hurling success dominated the 29,380 crowd but many of this young team will get two more cracks at this crown after their minor heartbreak last year.

Adam Screeney (0-09), one of those fresh out of minor, was bending this final to his will in the first half. He had Offaly’s first three points, two from frees he won himself.

Cork leapfrogged ahead in the ninth minute. Cunningham’s low drive was saved by Mark Troy but Healy capitalised on Sam Bourke spilling the sliotar to find the net.

Screeney tore another hole in the Cork defence a minute later. He sent Cormac Egan into space and the Tullamore dual star was toppled for a penalty by Shane Kingston’s head-high hit. After conferring with his umpires, Chris Mooney issued a yellow card that could’ve easily been red.

Dan Ravenhill’s penalty found the top corner, although Brion Saunderson did get his hurl to it.

Cork manager Ben O’Connor was booked after an exchange of words between the managers as he tried to swap Darragh O’Sullivan onto Screeney.

The diminutive forward still escaped for the next point and sent Egan into space again, although Saunderson made the save.

Cunningham and Screeney swapped two frees each, with Screeney once again fouled for both as Cork ended the half with three defenders on yellow cards.

Regardless, the Rebels ended