Setback for Cork footballers as they're well beaten by Donegal in Division 2 opener
Chris Óg Jones of Cork in action against Ciarán Moore of Donegal during the Allianz football league Division 2 match in Ballybofey. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
CORK have made a losing start to their Allianz Football League Division 2 campaign following a disappointing defeat to Donegal at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey on Sunday afternoon.
This was always going to be a very difficult assignment for John Cleary’s side at what was a vibrant stadium with the return of Jim McGuinness in the hot seat, but Cork will have regrets with how they played.
Had the Leesiders been more clinical in the first half against the wind, it could have been a different story. Donegal were excellent in front of goal and smarter against the wind and that’s ultimately what decided this match.
There was one change from the team that was announced on Friday, with Brian Hurley replacing the injured Conor Corbett.
Played in difficult conditions, with driving rain and a gale of a wind blowing down the pitch, it was Donegal who had the elements with them in the first half, and it wasn’t a surprise that the team in green and gold started brightly. With a vocal crowd behind the home team, Donegal kicked two points inside the first four minutes through Jamie Brennan and a Patrick McBrearty free.
Cork found it difficult early on, and Donegal added two quick points courtesy of Odhran Doherty and another McBrearty free, 0-4 to 0-0 after eight minutes.
A minute later, John Cleary’s side got a huge score when Eoghan McSweeney tapped the ball into the net for an easy finish after Ruairí Deane sent a wonderful ball across the square. The Rebels were level after 18 minutes, Deane involved again, which resulted in Brian O’Driscoll raising a white flag, 1-1 to 0-4.
Donegal’s response was swift with three points in four minutes. The sides traded points as Donegal led 0-8 to 1-2 before there was a lull in the scoring, with Cork passing up some good opportunities to score, despite playing against the wind. Peadar Morgan pointed for the home side until Cork scored a neat point following a well worked move, David Buckley setting up Chris Óg Jones.
Donegal were using the wind well, as they landed the last three points of the half to lead 0-12 to 1-3 at the interval.
Cork were now aided by the gale of the wind in the second half, with the weather conditions deteriorating. It was Donegal that got the first score two minutes in when McBrearty pointed from a free from close range. The Ulster were patient and a beauty from Daire Ó Baoill extended their advantage out to eight points. It could have been worse but Rebels netminder Patrick Doyle was out quick to deny Ciarán Thompson a goal.
Cork had a goal opportunity of their own after 41 minutes, but O’Driscoll’s effort was saved by Donegal goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany. The latter came up to kick an easy free for his side, as they led 0-15 to 1-3 after 46 minutes despite playing against the wind.
A mistake in the Donegal defence, resulted in Óg Jones having a simple finish for Cork’s second goal with the goalkeeper caught out up the pitch, a much needed score after 48 minutes, the Leesiders first of the half. The sides swapped points, before McBrearty clipped over another point from a free, 0-17 to 2-4 with 14 minutes remaining.
The sides exchanged points, before Donegal put the game to bed with seven minutes to go when McBrearty goaled, 1-18 to 2-5. The home side saw out the game in typical Donegal fashion, as they kicked two of the last three points.
Cork have another away encounter in the next league game, a trip to Ardee next Sunday to face Louth with throw-in at 1pm. Without stating the obvious, that one is now a biggie.
P McBrearty 1-6 (0-6 f), O Doherty 0-3, D Ó Baoill 0-2, P Morgan, G Mulreany (f), B McCole, R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Thompson, S O’Donnell, J Brennan, D MacGiolla Bhride 0-1 each.
C Óg Jones 1-2, E McSweeney 1-0, B O’Driscoll 0-2, S Sherlock (f), M Cronin 0-1 each.
G Mulreany; M Curran, B McCole, K McGettigan; R McHugh, C McGonagle, C Moore; C Thompson, D MacGiolla Bhride; P Morgan, O Doherty, S O’Donnell; P McBrearty, D Ó Baoill, J Brennan.
E Bán Gallagher for K McGettigan (23), O Caulfield for S O’Donnell, J MacCeallabhuí for O Doherty (both 54), L McGlynn for J Brennan (62), A Doherty for D Ó Baoill (66).
P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), S Meehan (Kiskeam), T Walsh (Kanturk); L Fahy (Ballincollig), R Maguire (Castlehaven), M Taylor (Mallow); I Maguire (St Finbarr’s), C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg); E McSweeney (Knocknagree), D Buckley (Newcestown), B O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh); R Deane (Bantry Blues), B Hurley (Castlehaven), C Óg Jones (Iveleary).
D Cashman (Millstreet) for M Shanley (45), M Cronin (Nemo Rangers) for D Buckley (46), S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for B Hurley (50), F Herlihy (Dohenys) for R Deane (55), D O’Mahony (Knocknagree) for E McSweeney (63).
Noel Mooney (Cavan).
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