Donegal 2-14
Cork 1-7
DONEGAL’S BLISTERING START to the Allianz football league continued today with Cork their latest victims as Rory Gallagher’s side stormed to the top of the Division 1 table.
After Donegal’s dismantling of Down last Saturday and Cork’s impressive success over Mayo, both sides were in confident mood entering the clash in Ballyshannon.
But it was Donegal who ruled at Fr Tierney Park to claim a ten-point win with the exceptional Odhrán MacNiallais and Martin O’Reilly both firing home goals.
Cork were very disappointing and had little answer to Donegal’s dominance. Daniel Goulding’s point in the 61st minute was their first from play on a day when they struggled for scores.
Donegal were in control early on as they stormed ahead 1-4 to 0-0 with O’Reilly raising the green flag. Cork steadied themselves thanks to a pair of Goulding frees and a fine goal from Donal Óg Hodnett.
They were very much in contention as they trailed 1-4 to 1-3 at one juncture in the opening-half before Donegal strung together five points without reply.
Donegal were in an imposing position as they enjoyed a 1-9 to 1-3 interval advantage and there was no let-up in their charge in the second-half as they hit 1-4 without reply, the second goal coming from the marvellous MacNiallais.
Goulding, Mark Collins and Brian O’Driscoll all struck late points to finally ensure Cork kept the scoreboard ticking over in the second-half.
Yet there was no disguising Donegal’s dominance and entitlement to victory. Mayo are next up for Donegal on 28 February, while Cork must pick themselves up at home to Roscommon on the same day.
Scorers for Donegal: Odhrán MacNiallais 1-4, Patrick McBrearty 0-4 (0-2f), Martin O’Reilly 1-1, Anthony Thompson 0-2, Michael Murphy (0-1f), Frank McGlynn, Ciaran Thompson 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Daniel Goulding 0-5 (0-3f), Donal Óg Hodnett 1-0, Mark Collins, Brian O’Driscoll 0-1 each.
Donegal
Peter Boyle
Eamonn Doherty
Neil McGee
Eamonn McGee
Paddy McGrath
Ryan McHugh
Anthony Thompson
Odhrán MacNiallais
Hugh McFadden
Eoin McHugh
Frank McGlynn
Ciaran Thompson
Paddy McBrearty
Michael Murphy
Marty O’Reilly
Subs
Rory Kavanagh for C Thompson, black card (37)
Leo McLoone for O’Reilly (53)
Martin McElhinney for McGee (55)
Eoin Ban Gallagher for Doherty (58)
Neil Gallagher for McFadden (63)
M Carroll for McHugh 64
Cork
1. Brendan O’Connell (Glanmire)
2. Colm O’ Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
3. Jamie O’Sullivan (Bishopstown)
4. Kevin Crowley (Milstreet)
5. Tomas Clancy (Fermoy)
6. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg Maccarthaigh)
7. Kevin O’ Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh)
8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarrs)
9. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
10. Andrew O’Sullivan (Castletownbere)
11. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
12. Donal Og Hodnett (O’Donovan Rossa)
13. Daniel Goulding (Eire Og)
14. Peter Kelleher (Kilmichael)
15. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven)
Subs
Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond) for Deane (49)
Fintan Goold (Macroom) for Maguire (53)
Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) for Hodnett (55)
Colm O’Neill (Ballyclough) for Hurley (63)
Dan MacEoin (Ilen Rovers) for Goulding (68)
Cork look to be the weakest team going into the Munster Championship this year. I really fear for us. The ground better dry up fast if we’re to have any hope.
Think Tipp will win the AI this year. Only lost to Galway by a point last year and were no where near their best.
Fair play to Limerick for going 10 games unbeaten.
@Munsterman: serious talent on that limerick side. Promising future ahead for limerick hopefully. Always were my second team outside of where im from.
Great win but the best is still to come.
Very hard to predict Tipps championship 15 now. Serious squad
What pissed many of us off was limerick v tipp just after munster v toulon, if the game was played today instead of last night after the munster v toulon game the attendance would have been double, i would have gone to thurles my self today, but no they played the game in thurles on a saturday night, i can not make out weather it was stupid or done on purpose.
@ktsiwot: who’s us? They could have moved the Munster game to today too!!
@Joe Kennedy: The Munster match was watched by millions around the world, I suspect it had more of a pull.
@Munsterman: haha….millions?! There was billions watching the hurling I believe!
@Joe Kennedy: I am from limerick and would have gone to that game if on today, was at thomond for what has an incredible match and atmosphere.
Many I know were in the same situation as well as many I met last night watching the match from both Limerick and Tipp.
They fixed that match last monday, they lost attendance and money, many were discussing it last night and could not get over the stupidity of it.
The majority of people follow all sport and not stuck to a specific mindset.
@Joe Kennedy: yes joe it is a european cup the pop of uk, france and ireland is well over 100 million, it is not stretching it to say a million saw the game. Nearly every one I new saw that match more so than the hurling match which was also brilliant.
@ktsiwot: excuses excuses. I made both comfortably. Even had time to stop in borrisoleigh for a hot chicken roll
@Tadhg Keating: good man Tadhg. Fair play.
@ktsiwot: he said “millions around the world” though!! Three European countries = the World does it?! Doesn’t matter anyway….was just laughing at the exaggeration. I follow all sports myself too by the way. Everyone I knew had no interest in the rugby…..not sure what that’s got to do with anything though!! Finally, as Tadhg said…. you could have made both if you really wanted to anyway no?
@Joe Kennedy: this match was broadcasted all over Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I’m not at all exaggerating when I said millions watched it.
@Munsterman: haha… ah come off it!! Throw up your source for your stats there! How do you know how many watched it in those countries?!
@ktsiwot: typical privileged rugby fanboy comment. They could just as easily moved the rugby match to Sunday or even Monday but of course no one can even suggest that. The games clash so it’s the GAA’s fault. End of story.
We will win no All Ireland with Barry fullback. He is a disaster, wrong side of his man all night, no idea how to defend and running around in circles. No one else given a chance at fullback apart from Hamill who we also know is too slow. Puckouts major issue aswell, embarrassing watching last night, not 1 Tipp player able to catch a ball, even standing on their own they stick the Hurley up to knock the ball down instead of catching it. Put your hand up for christ sake and catch the ball.
@Wedger: WHEN I PLAYED hurling no one had the nerve to put their hand up.IT WAS FAR TOO DANGEROUS..
@Michael Heery: me too. Many a finger bone popped out of place from getting a smack catching the ball. Miss that on a freezing sunday morning. Used to love getting bones clicked back into place. Seriously tough game! Tipp have some panel. Hard to look past them come business end of the season.