Analysis: Cork hurlers lacked aerial power to stem tide as they were outworked by ravenous Galway

Leading 1-12 to 1-7 after 29 minutes in Croke Park on Saturday, Cork looked in a terrific position to reach their third All-Ireland final in a row.

After conceding an early goal and struggling to get to grips with Galway’s defensive set-up, they’d turned a five-point early deficit into a five-point advantage. Brian Hayes, despite Cathal Mannion sweeping, was in lethal form and torching Daithí Burke, with the movement of the half-forward line creating space.

Alan Walsh stitched a goal after a high catch from an Eoin Downey sideline and while Jason Rabbitte was troubling Damien Cahalane, Niall O’Leary and Seán O’Donoghue were excelling in the corners.

From such a strong position, it fell into another Croker nightmare for the Rebels. The gap was down to a point at half-time, with Rabbitte scoring, having an assist and getting fouled for two frees. While Cork did lead just after half-time, 1-14 to 1-13, after Barrett’s second point, Galway upped the intensity and Ben O’Connor’s side simply couldn’t match it.

After initially dropping off and allowing Patrick Collins short puck-outs, Galway pressed up and under the long ball, Cork were absolutely cleaned out. 

They couldn’t secure aerial possession and were outworked on the breaks. A run of eight points without reply, four of them directly from turnovers, put the Tribe in control.

Cork settled with Hayes’ seventh from play and a William Buckley score on his overdue introduction, 1-22 to 1-16, before a Darragh Fitzgibbon red card. The second yellow itself was harsh but the Cork captain had picked up a cheap first yellow early in the second half.

The game was basically over at that stage, given Galway were dominating before they’d an extra man. Cork had a few half-chances of goals but were completely on the back foot. Inevitably, comparisons will be made to last year’s All-Ireland final, given Cork’s surge midway through the first half and getting a key player sent off. 

Cork weren’t remotely good enough to deserve to return to the big stage on July 19, the wide tally of 14 to six, and three of Cork’s were misplaced passes, says it all.

FATAL FLAWS

The late goal from Conor Cooney, after the Rebels’ best defender Seán O’Donoghue was robbed of the sliotar, added insult to injury but too many of Cork’s familiar flaws came to the surface.

They couldn’t pick off a few simple points to break the momentum and tried to force goals that weren’t on. The lack of a reliable ball-winner to succeed Séamus Harnedy means there is no one to relieve pressure during the opposition purple patch.

While Alan Walsh took his goal with aplomb and had a decent first half, William Buckley’s energy was missed, particularly with Alan Connolly failing to justify his inclusion after two below-par showings.

It was hard to judge the bench press because Fitzgibbon had been sent off but Cork certainly didn’t get a return on the scoreboard from their subs. Harnedy, Shane Kingston and Declan Dalton didn’t feature here.

It’s been an epic three seasons, Cork making six finals, but there are a few hard calls ahead. 

Harnedy will almost certainly retire and Cahalane is 34. Ben O’Connor and his selectors are bound to shake the squad up and bring in fresh faces.

For now, this was just the latest bitterly disappointing defeat.