All-Ireland MHC Semi-final/Galway 2-12 Cork 0-16: Joe Canning remains on course for a third All-Ireland minor hurling championship medal after inspiring holders Galway to a fourth consecutive victory over Cork at Croke Park yesterday.
The Portumna sensation, who scored 1-8, shared the spotlight with goalkeeper James Skehill. Apart from clinching the win with an injury-time 80-metre point, Skehill kept his side in contact with a crucial save four minutes from the end, when he stopped a rasping shot from Paudie O'Sullivan, brother of Cork senior star, Diarmuid.
And Skehill also showed his undoubted ability by diving smartly to his right to frustrate Brian Corry in another important moment just before half-time.
Galway owed their success to a lightning start and finish. Canning, who was named at centre -forward but moved to full forward, began spectacularly, pointing a couple of frees. Aidan Harte extended their advantage before Canning poked home a fifth-minute goal after Cork custodian Matthew Collins pulled off a double save, but could do little to prevent Canning from scoring.
Galway, who struggled to overcome Antrim in the quarter-final, moved 1-3 to 0-0 in front. Cork settled and an O'Sullivan point left them 1-6 to 0-5 in arrears after 17 minutes and the gap remained at four at the break, 1-8 to 0-7.
The pace dropped considerably in the second half. Cork free-taker Pat Horgan pointed three times to reduce the margin by the 41st minute and another free edged his side in front for the first time, 0-13 to 1-12, entering the closing quarter.
Cork must have fancied their chances of stopping Galway's recent run of victories against them when midfielder Leigh Desmond pointed in quick succession with eight minutes remaining to move Cork 0-15 to 1-10 in front.
But the game turned again in a two-minute spell. Canning, expertly, scored from a sideline cut and, four minutes from time, Seán Coen fired in a superb goal after Canning and Harte combined. Skehill's goalkeeping and accuracy from a long-range free, three minutes into additional time, saw off the Cork challenge.
GALWAY: J Skehill (0-1 free); J Ryan, M McMahon, A Moylan; D Burke, K Keane, L Tully; E Forde, G Lally (0-1); A Harte (0-1), J Canning (1-8, six points from frees, one 65, one sideline) capt, G Burke; S Coen (1-1), K Keehan, K Killilea. Subs: G Hennelly for Keehan (half-time), E Concannon for G Burke (45 mins), N Lynch for Killilea (58 mins), C Forde for E Forde 59 mins).
CORK: M Collins; T Murray, J O'Callaghan, C O'Driscoll; S O'Riordan, A Mannix, P O'Sullivan (0-2, one free); L Desmond (0-2), S White; D Stack, B Corry (0-2), R White (0-1); C O'Neill (0-1), P Horgan, (0-7 five frees) capt, D O'Callaghan (0-1). Subs: R Clifford for Corry (50 mins), S Cotter for O'Neill (56 mins).
Referee: J O'Mahony (Limerick).
