Cork v Offaly: 1984 centenary final a sweet victory for Rebels

Saturday’s All-Ireland SHC preliminary quarter-final between Cork and Offaly will be just the eighth championship meeting between the counties.

The last clash was in July 2012 and that was the sixth in a time period of just under 13 years. The beginning of that run was the epic All-Ireland semi-final of 1999 and that game bridged a gap of 15 years back to the inaugural meeting on one of hurling’s most famous days.

With the GAA celebrating its centenary in 1984, the decision was taken to host the final at Semple Stadium. A suitable venue for Cork, especially after beating Tipperary in the Munster final there, but Offaly had seen off Galway in their semi-final in Thurles and, what’s more, they had been All-Ireland champions more recently than Cork.

The Faithful County’s 1981 title was the first new name on the Liam MacCarthy Cup since Waterford in 1948, while Cork had not added to their tally since the three-in-a-row of 1976-78. As Johnny Crowley recalled in Cork Hurling: Game of My Life, defeats to Kilkenny in the finals of 1981 and 1982 left the Rebels under pressure.

“There were a lot of people questioning us and a few fellas retired as well so the pressure was on,” he said.

“The media were wondering if it was the end for that team – nothing changes really, does it?! We knew were capable enough, that we had good players and that we hadn’t been far off it in the previous two years. We had still won Munster and got to the two finals, so it was a case of sticking with it.”

Thankfully, Cork also had divine assistance as Fr Michael O’Brien, joint-manager with Justin McCarthy, was able to lean on some contacts to allow the team prepare in the peaceful confines of the Ursuline Convent in Thurles.

“Normally, for an All-Ireland final you’d get the train up on the Saturday but because this one was in Thurles we didn’t travel until the Sunday,” said Crowley.

“It was great to be able to sleep in your own bed the night before. Going to the convent was a masterstroke by Fr O’Brien. We drove straight there and, while it’s not half-a-mile from Thurles, it was very secluded. Nobody knew we were there – and even when [county board chairperson] Derry Gowen came to the door and asked to be let in, he was told we weren’t there!

“It meant we could have the grub and a puck-around and that kept it very low-key for us. Normally we’d be up in the Anner Hotel and you’d be out on the green trying to puck around and having hundreds watching us!”

The game took time to settle, with each side unable to capitalise on half-chances for goals, though Crowley at centre-back and the midfield pairing of captain John Fenton and Pat Hartnett helped to give Cork a platform. The sides had been level four times before Mark Corrigan and Pat Carroll put Offaly into a two-point lead but Seánie O’Leary’s goal nine minutes before half-time ensured that Cork led at the break by 1-5 to 0-7.

The opening 14 minutes of the second half brought six unanswered points for Cork – Fenton with three, man of the match Tony O’Sullivan scoring two and O’Leary also on target – before the second goal. Kevin Hennessy won possession and laid off to Jimmy Barry-Murphy, whose shot was saved by Damien Martin but into the path of Hennessy, who had an easy finish.

A 2-11 to 0-7 lead was unlikely to be overhauled, especially as Joe Dooley goal attempt for Offaly was repelled by Ger Cunningham just after that. While a Pat Delaney 65 finally ended Offaly’s scoring drought, Cork replied with their third goal, O’Leary’s second, as he got on the end of a Johnny Crowley clearance.

Ten points separated the sides by the end, with Cork able to enjoy the closing stages.

“Overall, it was just a fierce relief as we had got back on the horse again,” Crowley said.

“In fairness to Offaly, they lined up as we were coming out and they clapped us out, which was a lovely touch.”

Scorers for Cork: J Fenton 0-7 (0-4f), S O’Leary 2-1, T O’Sullivan 0-6, K Hennessy 1-0, P Hartnett, T Mulcahy 0-1 each.

Offaly: M Corrigan 1-2, P Carroll, P Delaney (0-3 65, 0-1f) 0-4 each, P Horan 0-2 (0-1f).

CORK: G Cunningham; D Mulcahy, D O’Grady, J Hodgins; T Cashman, J Crowley, D McCurtain; J Fenton, P Hartnett; K Hennessy, T Crowley, T O’Sullivan; T Mulcahy, J Barry-Murphy, S O’Leary.

OFFALY: D Martin; L Carroll, E Coughlan, P Fleury; A Fogarty, P Delaney, G Coughlan; T Connelly, J Kelly; M Corrigan, B Bermingham, P Carroll; D Fogarty, P Horan, J Dooley. Subs: P Corrigan for Bermingham (42), P Kirwan for Dooley (63).

Referee: P Long (Kilkenny).