Fintan O'Toole Reports from Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Dublin 0-18

Cork 2-10

IT FINISHED WITH an away day success for Dublin, yet the last play of  the game almost engineered a home triumph on Leeside in dramatic fashion.

Ciaran Kilkenny with Maurice Shanley. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

Brian Hurley, Cork’s best forward who had a terrific game, lashed in a left-foot thunderbolt in the 77th minute as they chased the goal they needed to salvage something from their afternoon’s work.

David O’Hanlon’s fingertips pushed it onto the crossbar, it rebounded to safety from a Dublin perspective and a third successive win in Division 2 was soon confirmed for Dessie Farrell’s side.

The league points on offer was a positive, the return of Jack McCaffrey to Dublin colours almost three years since his last appearance was even more so. McCaffrey popped over a point in the second half and was full of energy, James McCarthy was another member of the old guard to come off the bench to strike a score.

As a contest it was fiercely contested until the finish, both sides hit with red cards in the third quarter to Cork midfielder Ian Maguire and Dublin defender Lee Gannon, second yellows in both instances. The harsh call on Maguire by Laois referee Seamus Mulhare incensed the Cork camp, their Dublin opponents protested as well when Gannon saw red in the 47th minute.

Cork players celebrate Eoghan McSweeney's goal. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The first half contained plenty good stuff, there was enough vibrancy to command the attention of the 10,232 present. With Hurley on song as he whipped over points, Cork posed an attacking threat.

They hit the net in the 22nd minute, a sweet team move featuring a booming delivery by Matty Taylor, the creative work done by Chris Óg Jones and a tidy finish from Eoghan McSweeney. Cork consistently threatened to add to that goal tally, Jones denied from close-range by David O’Hanlon and Maurice Shanley palmed in another effort that was ruled out for a square ball.

Yet for all that trouble, Dublin were 0-10 to 1-6 to the good at the break. They rattled off six of the last eight points of the half. Dean Rock’s frees were on the money, Con O’Callaghan was typically threatening and they moved the ball smartly to find gaps for others to point.

Dublin's James McCarthy and Cork's Colm O'Callaghan. Evan Treacy / INPHO Evan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

The Maguire dismissal was followed by Dublin posting the first four points of the second half. That stretched the gap out to five and looked to have taken the temperature out of the game. But Cork came roaring back into the hunt, Dublin were hit with the setback of losing Gannon and the second-half had no shortage of pulsating moments.

The card count finished at ten yellow and two red, decisions irritating the crowd present, yet the match was really ignited when Taylor got clear for a powerful finish that he rammed home for Cork’s second goal in the 54th minute, substitute Ruairi Deane doing well to outmuscle the defence and create the opening.

That drew Cork level, 0-14 to 2-8, but Dublin would never be in that position again, always capable of staying a point or two out of Cork’s reach. McCaffrey and McCarthy came on, busying themselves on the ball. Other big players popped up with points, O’Callaghan and Brian Fenton on target as well.

Hurley finished with eight points to his credit, the chief source of Cork’s scores, and cracked in that late attempt for a goal that O’Hanlon was equal to. Dublin push on in their promotion bid, Cork aim to take encouragement from this showing.

Scorers for Dublin: Dean Rock 0-6 (0-4f), Con O’Callaghan 0-4 (0-1 mark), Daire Newcombe 0-2, Cian Murphy 0-1, Brian Fenton 0-1, Cormac Costello 0-1, Ross McGarry 0-1, James McCarthy 0-1, Jack McCaffrey 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-8 (0-3f, 0-1 mark), Eoghan McSweeney 1-1, Mattie Taylor 1-0, Steven Sherlock 0-1 (0-1f).

Dublin

1. David O’Hanlon (Na Fianna)

23. Daire Newcombe (Lucan Sarsfields), 2. Cian Murphy (Thomas Davis),  4. Michael Fitzsimons (Cuala)

6. John Small (Ballymun Kickhams), 5. Lee Gannon (Whitehall Colmcille), 9. Tom Lahiff (St Jude’s)

8. Brian Fenton (Raheny), 24. Peadar Ó Cofaigh-Byrne (Cuala)

11. Ciaran Kilkenny (Castleknock), 12. Ross McGarry (Ballyboden St-Enda’s), 10. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge-Street), 

13. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille), 14. Dean Rock (Ballymun Kickhams), 15. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala)

Subs

• 21. James McCarthy (Ballymun Kickhams) for Ó Cofaigh-Byrne (44)

• 19. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf) for Scully (55)

• 17. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St-Enda’s) for McGarry (55)

• 7. Jack McCaffrey (Clontarf) for Murphy (59)

• 25. Lorcan O’Dell (Templeogue Synge-Street) for Costello (68)

Cork

1. Mícheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers)

2. Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), 3. Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), 4. Tommy Walsh (Kanturk)

5. Luke Fahy (Ballincollig), 6. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), 7. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)

8. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), 9. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)

10. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), 11. Seán Powter (Douglas), 12. Brian O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh)

13. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven – captain), 14. Chris Óg Jones (Iveleary), 15. Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s)

Subs

• 23. Ruairi Deane (Bantry Blues) for Sherlock (43)

• 24. Conor Corbett (Clyda Rovers) for Jones (55)

• 22. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers) for McSweeney (61)

• 21. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig) for Powter (62)

• 25. Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys) for O’Driscoll (72)

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (Laois)

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