All-Ireland SFC: Huge win for Cork as they edge out Roscommon to book knockout spot
Cork's Colm O'Callaghan battles for the ball against Ronan Daly of Roscommon at Laois Hire O'Moore Park in Portlaoise. Picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
When it mattered, Cork delivered a huge performance to grind out a win over Roscommon in this All-Ireland SFC Group 2 Round 3 battle at Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Saturday evening.
The Rebels knew they had to win this game to progress to the knockout stages at the expense of their Connacht outfit and that’s what John Cleary’s team did.
It was a display full of belief, composure and character when the pressure was on to deliver in order to prolong their campaign. It wasn't pretty at times, but it was all about getting the vital win.
They led by four points at the short whistle and were six points ahead midway through the second half and despite their opposition rallying, Cork withheld Roscommon’s fightback.
A draw would have done the Rossies, as they went in search of a two-pointer late on with two points in it, but to no avail. Despite scoring a point in the last 15 minutes, the Rebels had done enough.
The celebrations after the game from Cork showed how much the victory meant. They march on to the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final next weekend, away from home.
Roscommon landed the first score after three minutes when they took advantage of slack Cork marking resulting in Donie Smith pointing. It was cagey and nervy from the Rebels early on, as a slicker Rossies outfit tacked on another point through Daire Cregg.
A poor kick-out from Roscommon goalkeeper Conor Carroll gifted Cork their first score when Brian O’Driscoll kicked over a two-pointer six minutes in, 0-2 each.
The Leesiders went ahead for the first time after 13 minutes when the excellent Seán McDonnell bisected the posts. It could have easily been a goal after a great Matty Taylor pass.
The sides traded white flags in what was an error-strewn opening 15 minutes from both sides, no surprise given what was at stake.
Roscommon hit two of the next three points to draw parity with Brian Hurley slotting over Cork’s score, 0-5 each with 14 minutes to the interval.
Enda Smith did briefly put the Rossies back in front only for Mark Cronin to point at the other end almost immediately following a neat team move.
Ian Maguire put the Rebels back ahead with a point, but with the goal at his mercy, he should have buried his chance. It was followed by a close-range Cronin free to open up a two-point buffer, 0-8 to 0-6 after 29 minutes.
McDonnell and Maguire added further points as Cleary’s charges finished the half strong to lead 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.
Roscommon did start the new half full of impetus with two unanswered points in the space of two minutes and also had a kickable point that drifted wide.
McDonnell slotted over his third point, a much needed one for Cork, but Diarmuid Murtagh pointed 40 seconds later to keep his side firmly in touch, 0-11 to 0-9 after 41 minutes.
Cronin and sub Eoghan McSweeney did extend the Rebels’ lead only for Ben O’Carroll and Eddie Nolan to add white flags, as the game remained on a knife-edge.
Colm O’Callaghan gave Cork a three-point advantage with a brilliant effort following a bursting run, as he then added another point followed by a McDonnell effort, 0-16 to 0-11 with 20 minutes remaining.
The teams swapped white flags until Roscommon sub Cian McKeon left them four points behind.
Just when the momentum looked to be swinging the Rossies way, O’Callaghan did outstandingly well to win a dirty ball in midfield and then set up Paul Walsh for a lovely curling point. McKeon pointed again before Cork got away with one after 57 minutes when Cregg’s shot for a goal was saved by goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin. It was a great stop as he made himself big.
It did go out for a 45, which Roscommon netminder Conor Carroll converted, down to three points, 0-18 to 0-15 with 12 minutes to play.
Suddenly, the Connacht team were now in the driving seat, a pair of Cregg efforts left just a point between the teams after 65 minutes.
Sub Cathail O’Mahony slotted over a point, a timely one for Cork, to nudge two points clear with two minutes to play.
The Leesiders' backs were against the wall though, as Roscommon went for a two-pointer. The draw would have been enough for them. Diarmuid Murtagh went for a two-point effort right at the death, but an incredible block by Daniel O'Mahony ensured Cork advanced.
M Cronin 0-5 (0-2 f), S McDonnell 0-4, B O’Driscoll (1 2pt), C O’Callaghan, I Maguire 0-2 each, B Hurley, P Walsh, C O’Mahony, E McSweeney 0-1 each.
D Cregg 0-5, C McKeon, D Murtagh 0-2 each, S Lambe, E Smith, C Murtagh, E Nolan, C Carroll (45), D Ruane, B O’Carroll, D Smith 0-1 each.
M A Martin; S Meehan, D O’Mahony, S Brady; B O’Driscoll, M Shanley, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, S Walsh, S McDonnell; M Cronin, B Hurley (c), C Óg Jones.
R Maguire for S Meehan (h-t), E McSweeney for S Walsh (41), S Powter for P Walsh (55), R Deane for M Taylor (58), C O’Mahony for C Óg Jones (61).
C Carroll; P Frost, B Stack (c), D Murray; D Ruane, R Daly, S Lambe; E Nolan, S Cunnane; D Cregg, E Smith, C Murtagh; D Smith, D Murtagh, B O’Carroll.
C Neary for D Smith (50), C McKeon for D Ruane (52), C Hand for R Daly (54), C Lennon for B O’Carroll (55), D Kenny for S Lambe (65).
Martin McNally (Monaghan).
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