Mungret lose by a single point to Cork champions by single point in Munster semi final

Mungret St Pauls were beaten by a solitary point after extra time in their Munster Intermediate Hurling semi-final by Courcey Rovers.

The absorbing contest finished 1-18 to 1-17 in the visitors favour.

The Cork champions got off to a flyer with Sean Twomey hitting the back of the net after two minutes.

Mungret replied with two of their own from a Paul O’Brien sideline and Rory Duff.

Courcey replied with a Ronan Nyhan score but it could have been worse for the Limerick champions were it not for a Conor o’Brien double save from Twomey.

Two huge frees from goalkeeper Stephen Nyhan was enough for a 1-6 to 0-4 lead at the first waterbreak for Courcey.

Mungret replied with a pair from Brian O’Meara and Brian Barry on the restart but a Richard Sweetnam free pulled Courcey two scores clear.

Ronan Nyhan had the final score of the half for a two point, 1-9 to 0-7 lead.

Barry had Mungret off the mark in the second half but a Sweetnam double had Courcey six clear.

Paul and Cian O’Brien pulled Mungret within four after 38 but Courcey had the next score from Tadhg O’Sullivan.

But despite being wasteful in front of goal, three on the bounce had Mungret trailing 1-12 to 0-12 at the final Waterbreak.

Rory Duff and Niall Mulcahy had the City side within one but Twomey replied with five to play.

Mulcahy had the next score for Mungret before the sides traded wides.

But with time up, Mungret were given a chance with a free 65 out on the sideline. Paul O’Brien stood up and made no mistake to force extra time.

Nyhan got his third for the first score of ET but Mulcahy replied with his third six minutes into the half.

Nyhan was on hand to pull Courcey ahead and substitue John McCarthy then pushed them two clear with five to play.

Two in a row gave the Cork men breathing room but a Chams Jagana goal had Mungret within one again.

But that was to be the final act as the referee called time on a classic.