Cork end Sligo's reign

GAA: ALL-IRELAND JFC SEMI-FINALS: Cork 0-14 Sligo 1-6:CORK PRODUCED a storming first-half display to see off holders Sligo at Croke Park on Saturday. Played amidst a constant downpour, Cork's ability to make light of the poor conditions in the first half proved the crucial difference.

Cork’s midfield of Andrew O’Sullivan and Daniel O’Donovan was superior from the opening exchanges while, up front, Cathrach Keane, Andrew O’Brien, Liam Shorten and Kevin Hallissey looked lively.

The game should have been over at half-time as Cork amassed eight of their total of 12 wides. Sligo didn’t get their opening score until Vincent Frizzell fired over a point in the 20th minute.

Sligo, managed by senior team boss Kevin Walsh, got their hopes of a revival off to a dream start when James Hynes cracked in a superb goal from the restart.

But a physically stronger Cork were able to ride out the storm, with full back Owen O’Mahony and attacking wing back Anthony J O’Connor very impressive.A late flurry from Andrew O’Brien and Matthew Dilworth moved Cork out of danger and into the final.

CORK:T O'Connor; E Wiseman, O O'Mahony, K Harrington; S Kiely, R O'Sullivan, AJ O'Connor (0-1); A O'Sullivan (0-1), D O'Donovan; T Clancy, C Keane (0-2), B Coughlan (0-1); K Hallissey (0-2), A O'Brien (0-3), L Shorten (0-3). Subs: P Gayer for R O'Sullivan (41 mins), M Dilworth (0-1) for B Coughlan (46 mins), B Daly for Clancy (58 mins).

SLIGO: B McGovern; C Davey, J Martyn, K Cryan; S McManus, M Quinn, G Gilsenain; K Byrne, M McGowan; M Butler, J Hynes (1-0), V Frizzell (0-6, 0-4 frees); A Taaffe, J Clarke, G Gaughan. Subs: C Griffin for J Martyn (13 mins), D Gilsenain for Taaffe (37 mins), N Gaughan for J Clarke (55 mins), M Irwin for Hynes (59 mins), M Rolston for M McGowan (62 mins).

Referee:P Kneel (Louth).