Cork's 1989 semi-final win over Dublin was worth waiting for

There can be few opponents against whom Cork have such a poor football championship record as Dublin.

Of 17 previous clashes, there have been 13 Dublin wins and two draws with just two Cork victories. That 12 percent winning record contrasts with a 27 percent figure in games against Kerry.

One might think that perhaps the lopsided head-to-head record is based on a string of Dublin victories during their recent regal victories but that period encompassed just two meetings, 2019 and 2022.

In fact, it’s a somewhat front-loaded tally. While Cork went into the 1989 All-Ireland SFC semi-final against the Dubs seeking a maiden championship victory at the 12th time of asking, there had only been three games since 1908 – a loss in 1974, when Cork as reigning champions had suffered from complacency, and the 1983 draw before a replay defeat at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

By 1989, they were the undisputed top dogs in Munster, having completed a provincial three-in-a-row for the first time, though an All-Ireland was still elusive. While they had lost to Meath in the previous two deciders, the Royals had been felled by a Dublin side progressing from Leinster for the first time since 1985.

In July, Cork had beaten the Dubs by 4-18 to 2-12 in a challenge match at Nemo Rangers’ grounds but a repeat of such such a high-scoring match would not have been expected, even if the conditions weren’t poor.

An attendance of 60,168 saw Dublin enjoy a great start, with Vinny Murphy’s tenth-minute goal putting them 1-2 to 0-0 ahead, and they added two more points before Larry Tompkins opened the Cork account. Incredibly, Cork would raise just one more white flag in the first half, but would still go in leading.

The Rebels won a penalty in the 20th minute when John O’Driscoll was fouled and current senior manager John Cleary made no mistake with his kick.

It was Cleary’s first penalty since a Castlehaven-St Finbarr’s game in 1986 but another was to follow five minutes before half-time, the outcome the same as he made it 2-1 to 1-4, and Teddy McCarthy’s point put Billy Morgan’s side ahead at the break.

Dublin’s cause suffered further as Keith Barr was sent off and, with Larry Tompkins roving as the extra man, Cork were in control in midfield in the second half but were struggling to make that count apart from a 10-minute purple patch when Paul McGrath and Dave Barry (two) raised white flags.

Were it not for some good saves by the late Cork goalkeeper John Kerins, as he denied Rock and Joe McNally, then the game could have swung Dublin ’s way as Cork points dried up.

Ultimately though, despite all their pressure, the lowest that Dublin could reduce the gap to was three points and when Tompkins sent over a free from 50 yards in the final minute of normal time, Cork were safe, winners by 2-12 to 1-9.

They would go on to win the county’s first All-Ireland in 16 years the following month when Mayo were seen off in the final.

Scorers for Cork: J Cleary 2-0 penalties, L Tompkins 0-4 (0-3f), D Allen, D Barry 0-2 each, T McCarthy, P McGrath 0-1 each.

Dublin: B Rock 0-5 (0-2f, 0-2 45), V Murphy 1-1, P Clarke 0-2, P Curran 0-1.

CORK: J Kerins; T Davis, S O’Brien, J Kerrigan; M Slocum, C Counihan, B Coffey; S Fahy, L Tompkins; T McCarthy, D Barry, J O’Driscoll; P McGrath, D Allen, J Cleary.

DUBLIN: J O’Leary; M Deegan, G Hargan, M Kennedy; K Barr, T Carr, E Heery; D Foran, P Clarke; V Murphy, C Duff, P Curran; B Rock, J McNally, M Galvin.

Subs: T Conroy for Galvin (60), A McCaul for Rock (62).

Referee: M Kearins (Sligo).