Cork book All-Ireland hurling semi-final spot as they prove too strong for Dublin

Fintan O'Toole Reports from Semple Stadium

Cork 0-26

Dublin 0-21

IT BECAME NERVY at the finish for Cork as Dublin peppered their goalmouth with deliveries and fired shots towards the net where Patrick Collins stood.

They kept a clean sheet though and withstood that late blast of Dublin pressure to book their All-Ireland hurling semi-final place, a return to the last four for the first time since 2021.

It wasn’t a sparkling showing by Cork in an encounter that was distinctly lacklustre, but they achieved the outcome they desired as Dublin’s campaign ended at the quarter-final stage for the second season on the bounce.

Cork were ahead 0-15 to 0-10 at the interval, profiting from the strong grip they gained on proceedings as the half wore on. From the 15th minute on, they outscored Dublin 0-10 to 0-4.

Their half-forward line trio of Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett and Seamus Harnedy were all prominent in that regard, while Patrick Horgan looked menacing inside, twice coming close to goal before the Dublin defence scrambled effectively to crowd him out.

Conor Burke (0-3) shone at midfield for Dublin, while Seán Currie looked lively inside, but in general Cork handled their offensive threats in that opening period. Donal Burke’s usual accuracy from frees deserted him in that phase as he chalked up three first-half wides from placed balls.

paul-crummey-and-danny-sutcliffe-with-eoin-downey Dublin's Paul Crummey and Danny Sutcliffe with Eoin Downey of Cork. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin needed a fast start to the second half but instead Cork emerged and rattled off four points without reply. Declan Dalton was particularly prominent in the third quarter, and by the 45th minute Cork were in command as they went ahead 0-20 to 0-11. The match drifted along from there, struggling to ignite much response from 30,509 attendance.

Robbie O’Flynn was sprung from the bench and impressed with a pair of sweetly-struck points, Chris Crummey thundered forward for Dublin in an attempt to lift his team with a series of accurate shots on goal.

Patrick Horgan’s free-taking ensured Cork kept the scoreboard ticking over, his tenth of the day brought him level with TJ Reid in the all-time top hurling scorer championship chart as he reached the 699 figure.

That 66th minute score was Cork’s last of the day, they nearly found the net through a rocket of a shot from Dalton moments later, but Seán Brennan’s reaction was terrific to tip away a ball destined for the top corner.

At the opposite end Dublin kept pushing until the final whistle. Sean Currie, Paddy Doyle and Donal Burke all raised the white flags that ensured they chipped away at the deficit. Goals were required to fashion a stunning comeback – Ronan Hayes blasted one shot wide under pressure, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing and Burke were denied on another occasions by Collins.

Cork’s defence held firm, the outcome that appeared on the cards all day was the one that materialised.

Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (0-7f), Declan Dalton 0-6 (0-3f), Seamus Harnedy 0-2, Shane Barrett 0-2, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2, Robbie O’Flynn 0-2, Luke Meade 0-1, Brian Hayes 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: Seán Currie 0-7 (0-4f), Conor Burke 0-4, Chris Crummey 0-3, Donal Burke 0-3 (0-1f), Brian Hayes 0-2, Paddy Doyle 0-1, Darragh Power 0-1.

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)

5. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 8. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)

20. Luke Meade (Newcestown), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)

13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)

Subs

21. Shane Kingston (Douglas) for Harnedy (48)
19. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Meade (48)
18. Ger Millerck (Fr O’Neills) for Fitzgibbon (59)
22. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own) for Hayes (61)
26. Conor Lehane (Midleton) for Connolly (67)

Dublin

1. Seán Brennan (Cuala)

4. Paddy Smyth (Clontarf – captain), 3. Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille) 2. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields)

5. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields), 6. Conor Donohoe (Erin’s Isle), 18. Daire Gray (Whitehall Colmcille)

21. Mark Grogan (Kilmacud Crokes), 9. Conor Burke (St. Vincent’s);

8. Brian Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes), 11. Donal Burke (Na Fianna), 20. Darragh Power (Fingallians)

10. Danny Sutcliffe (St Jude’s), 12. Seán Currie (Na Fianna), 24. Paul Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)