Cork 2-14
Monaghan 1-16
COLM O’NEILL FIRED two goals and the match winning point as Cork’s long trip to Castleblayney proved rewarding against Monaghan in today’s Division 1 clash.
The Rebels followed up last week’s opening day victory over Dublin and now sit top of the league table as the only unbeaten side in the division.
O’Neill was Cork’s scoring star as they came from behind to win but Conor McManus, Monaghan’s leading forward on the day, had a late chance to draw the match only for his shot from a free to go wide.
Monaghan, buoyed by last week’s success away to Tyrone, were in front at the break by 1-6 to 0-8 with Kieran Hughes firing home that crucial goal in the 21st minute. Cork were reliant on O’Neill and Donncha O’Connor to supply points from frees in the first-half.
Monaghan lost key defender Dessie Mone just before half-time when he was shown a black card for a foul on O’Connor. Then in the 42nd minute they were hit with another setback when O’Neill despatched a shot to the net for Cork following great approach work by Ian Maguire.
Monaghan recovered and went four points clear with McManus to the fore as they enjoyed a 1-13 to 1-9 advantage by the 50th minute. However Cork fought back once more with O’Neill bagging another goal.
The action ebbed and flowed in the closing quarter with little to choose between the teams before O’Neill stepped forward to seal a priceless win for Cork.
Scorers for Cork: Colm O’Neill 2-6 (0-5f), Donncha O’Connor 0-5 (0-4f), Brian O’Driscoll, Brian Hurley, Eoin Cadogan (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Monaghan: Conor McManus 0-9 (0-8f), Kieran Hughes 1-0, Paul Finlay 0-3 (0-1f), Fintan Kelly, Kieran Duffy, Conor Boyle, Dermot Malone 0-1 each.
CORK
1. Ken O’Halloran (Bishopstown)
2. Tomás Clancy (Fermoy)
3. Tom Clancy (Clonakilty)
4. James Loughrey (Mallow)
5. Conor Dorman (Bishopstown)
6. Eoin Cadogan (Douglas)
7. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
10. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
9. Ian Maguire (St Finbarrs)
24. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
11. Donnacha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)
12. Colm O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
13. Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough)
14. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
15. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
Subs
26. Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh) for Kerrigan (half-time)
17. Michael Shields (St Finbarr’s) for Colm O’Driscoll (51)
23. John Hayes (Carbery Rangers) for Hurley (65)
21. Donal Óg Hodnett (O’Donovan Rossa) for O’Connor (65)
MONAGHAN
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Conor Boyle (Clontibret)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
5. Dessie Mone (Clontibret)
6. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
7. Kieran Duffy (Latton)
8. Neil McAdam (Monaghan Harps)
21. Paul Finlay (Ballybay)
22. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
11. Stephen Gollogly (Carrickmacross)
12. Ryan McAnespie (Emyvale)
13. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney)
14. Daniel McKenna (Truagh)
15. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
Subs
20. Vinny Corey (Clontibret) for Mone (black card) (half-time)
25. Thomas Kerr (Ballybay) for McKenna (half-time)
9. Dick Clerkin (Currin) for McAdam (49)
24. Owen Duffy (Latton) for McAnespie (64)
19. Karl O’Connell (Tyholland) for Kieran Duffy (67)
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
Good luck to them both and I hope they enjoy and further their career
@Mark Smith: Really? I hope it goes terribly for them, they’re miserable there and then they retire in disgrace.
I’d say you actually mean Dave O’Callaghan there.
French rugby clearly more suited to Hart . Biarritz aren’t the club they used to be though .
@Limón Madrugada: if anything these boys will put them back on the right road, especially DOC
Both absolute gents
Hart was a disastrous signing for Munster, he hardly got a look in.
@Treaty Bhoy: ah, think it was more of a disaster for Hart. It’s not like Munster didnt have viable options.. get analysis as usual though
Really disappointed with Hart. I saw him a lot when he was in France and really thought he’d make the national squad when he moved to Munster. He’s a very French style 9. But he never kicked on, arguably went backwards. I wish them both luck.
@Ger: completely agree, I had hart down for an international squad player when he moved home and then he disappeared at Munster… strange one
@Ger: he didn’t really get a chance to be fair to him.