Cork v Donegal: Where does footballers' win at Páirc Uí Rinn rank?

THIS was a special win for the Cork footballers.

You could see exactly what it meant when the final whistle sounded on the last kick-out after Colm O'Callaghan's point had sealed the deal in the 75th minute.

The supporters roared in delight and the players either dropped to their knees in relief or punched the air with joy. Kevin Flahive turned and shook his fists towards the stand. The veteran defender, like so many of this squad has endured more lows than highs in red, including a knee injury at the same venue two years ago when he had excelled in marking David Clifford.

Flahive and the rest of the full-back line, Daniel O'Mahony and Maurice Shanley, were teak-tough throughout, even if Paddy McBrearty did cause them problems, especially in the first half. Critical was Cork keeping a clean sheet, Donegal's two best goal chances midway through the opening period only resulting in points for Ciarán Moore and McBrearty.

Soon after that, Mattie Taylor slammed in Cork's first goal after a Seán Powter tackle in midfield and there was a feeling in the air that Cork could cause an upset.

The atmosphere had been electric throughout, Donegal travelled in numbers but the Rebels were out in force too. The official attendance was 7,251 but it looked and sounded like more, the drama of the game and glorious sunshine adding to the occasion.

Cork were undoubtedly the better team, full value for their three goals having carved open the Donegal rearguard repeatedly, but guilty of a few wayward shots for points, hitting the upright three times. 

They found it hard to earn scoreable frees as well, though Kerry referee Brendan Griffin did everything he could to let the game flow.

That suited Cork in general because they were well set up, fully tuned and motoring efficiently from the early stages,while Donegal looked like a team that had put in a massive shift to lift the Ulster title and blitz Tyrone in the opening group game. The match-winning phase arrived after half-time, when Cork plundered two goals through Powter and Rory Maguire, followed by a Brian Hurley free, to blast five points ahead.

Ahead 3-6 to 0-10 after 46 minutes when a superb Colm O'Callaghan point cancelled out a McBrearty effort, they were in a strong position. O'Callaghan and Ian Maguire had the upper hand at midfield, while Cork's work-rate across the pitch was typified by Brian Hurley's relentless harrying of Donegal's ball-carrying defenders.

Powter was forced off with a knock and while Steven Sherlock added firepower up front, Cork wasted a handful of decent chances for points and coughed up the ball cheaply when they were overlapping with runners off the shoulder. As a consequence, Jim McGuinness' charges outscored the hosts 0-6 to 0-1, including four in succession to level 3-7 to 0-16 after 66 minutes.

COMPOSED

At that juncture, the fans would have taken a draw, but Cork showed great discipline and composure to persevere. They didn't allow McBrearty or Óisín Gallen to get shots off on the loop and defended smartly.

The reward was sub Ruairí Deane feeding Sherlock to nudge Cork back ahead and then O'Callaghan's insurance point on the counter with the last play.

The scenes after will linger in the memory. 

A huge contingent of youngsters swarmed the players, many from the Sciath na Scol-winning primary schools who were paraded at half-time, for selfies and autographs. 

That's been a rarity for the footballers in the modern era, but this win was up there in importance with shocking Mayo last summer and Kerry in 2020, though Covid meant that was in an empty Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

This was a statement result for John Cleary's side, their first over an Ulster side in championship since 2011, which now means if they get another, against Tyrone on July 15-16, they'll top the group and go straight to the All-Ireland quarter-final. 

There's a small chance that could yet be a double-header with the hurlers in Portlaoise, if Laois beat Offaly in the Joe McDonagh Cup final, as Cork are away to the winner of that one.

It's still all to play for. Scoring difference would cost Cork if they lose to Tyrone and Donegal beat Clare, but they're assured of a preliminary quarter-final at the very least now. 

Yet on the back of such a rousing showing, they need to aim higher and follow up with another big win.