1. Joe Cooney’s first half display in 1990 All-Ireland final
The 1990 All-Ireland final between Galway and Cork was a classic, with the Rebels edging it by 2-21 to 5-15.
Joe Cooney was in brilliant form for Galway as they steamed into a 1-13 to 1-8 half-time lead.
Cooney scored 1-5 from play in the opening half as the Tribesmen opened up a five-point interval lead.
2. And the Cork revival…
Galway went on to open up a seven-point lead in the second half but Jim Cashman got a grip on Cooney and two John Fitzgibbon goals turned the tide in Cork’s favour.
Check out some familiar fresh faces in the post match interviews:
3. Cork’s response to Donal Óg Cusack’s red card
Cork goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack was sent off in the first half of Cork’s qualifier victory over Galway in 2008.
But the Rebels battled through adversity as 12-point hero Ben O’Connor led the way in a rousing second half.
Joe Deane added 0-4, Cathal Naughton chipped in with three points and The42.ie’s hurling columnist John Gardiner captained Cork and scored two points on the night.
Niall McCarthy was also on the scoresheet and Patrick Horgan came off the bench to score a point.
4. Joe Canning’s 2-12 haul
In that same game, not even a stunning 2-12 contribution from Joe Canning could save Galway from defeat.
The Portumna superstar, fresh out of the minor grade, was playing just his third senior championship game.
5. Ben O’Connor’s goal
Ben O’Connor’s goal in the 2005 All-Ireland final against Galway was a pivotal strike, handing the Rebels a 1-6 to 0-3 lead.
Cork’s short-passing and running game was in its pomp at the time but O’Connor’s goal arrived courtesy of a long-range delivery which bypassed the Galway defence.
O’Connor’s diagonal run allowed him to gain possession and whip a left-handed strike into the Hill 16 end netting.
6. Joe’s reverse handpass
Who’ll ever forget this sublime piece of skill from that man Joe Canning in the 2011 qualifier at the Gaelic Grounds?
7. JBM in his pomp
As current Cork boss, Jimmy Barry-Murphy is hoping to plot Galway’s downfall in Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling quarter-final.
And as a player, JBM has previous against the Tribesmen, including this goal in the 1975 All-Ireland semi-final defeat.
8. And here’s an even better one…
This goal from JBM in the 1983 All-Ireland semi-final against Galway is rated as one of the best of all time.
John Fenton provides the fizzing delivery and JBM flicks the ball to the net with the faintest of touches…
9. John Gardiner’s display in the 2001 All-Ireland minor final
Operating at centre back, Gardiner delivered one of the most complete performances ever seen in a minor decider, as Cork claimed victory over Galway.
Andy Smith is a survivor from that tie on the Galway senior squad.
10. The 2007 All-Ireland U21 semi-final…
…was an absolute classic. Galway won by 4-21 to 2-18, with extra-time goals from Barry Hanley and Kerril Wade flooring Cork.
Joe Canning scored 0-7 for Galway and while Patrick Cronin (0-7) and Patrick Horgan (1-3) were prominent for Cork.
Things to learn from 2012: don’t be sh!te
Given, O’Shea, Keane & Doyle have been great servants for us but its time for all 4 of them to retire after euro 2016 and give the younger players like Duffy, O’Dowda & Byrne a chance.
Starting 11 should be: Randolph Coleman Clark Keogh Brady McCarthy Hendrick Walters Hoolahan McClean Long
Such a let down and anti climax. I remember my own boys and their friends all decked out in green……so let’s manage expectations
Don’t play injured goalkeepers. Stop using players for media work cos they have native accents and thus include them in the 23. Let the people follow the Irish team and not some country called 3
It’s coming home
To be fair we overachieved in most tournaments prior to 2012 so we were due a bad one
Not sure getting out of the group should be the minimum for every tournament. We had come top players in them tournament also..
Don’t think it could ever be as bad as the Trapattoni era again, ugh, just typing that old spoofers name has left me depressed.