All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final: Battling Cork fall short against Dublin
Seán McDonnell of Cork in action against John Small of Dublin. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
A strong performance but Cork fell to a narrow defeat against Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final on Saturday evening in Croke Park.
The Rebels played their part in what was an enjoyable contest, but ultimately the Dubs had that extra bit of quality and bench press to get them over the line. It was achieved without their marksman Con O’Callaghan.
Cork were more efficient than other games this year, but while they created a lot of scoring chances here, the inability to convert at crucial stages came back to prove costly. They will rue a slow start too, conceding the first four points. The Rebels did recover magnifically to lead by two points at the break, but should have been further ahead.
John Cleary’s charges weren’t able to stay in front with Dublin’s goal a cheap one to concede after 45 minutes.
It didn’t take long for the scoring to start with Paddy Small pointing for Dublin after just 37 seconds after the Leinster team carved open the Cork defence. A carbon copy of the first point happened two minutes later, the same player raising a white flag.
It was all too easy for Dublin in the early stages with the Rebels struggling from their own kickouts. Ciarán Kilkenny and Seán Bugler added further points before Cork’s first meaningful attack after eight minutes resulted in their first score which came from Chris Óg Jones. A good point too from an awkward angle.
That was followed by a Mark Cronin free and then an excellent team goal arrived after 11 minutes. A quick sideline taken by Brian Hurley set up Ian Maguire and he laid the ball on a plate for Jones who nestled the ball into the corner of the net, 1-2 to 0-4.
The sides shared the next four points with Hurley kicking over two beauties for the Leesiders. Cleary’s team were playing expansive football full of bravery as Maguire pushed Cork two points clear with 15 minutes to the short whistle.
The teams again exchanged points before the Rebels split open the Dubs defence with Cronin playing a wonderful ball into Jones but his effort for a goal was well saved by Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.
It went out for a 45 which Cork netminder Micheál Aodh Martin duly converted, 1-7 to 0-7 after 30 minutes.
The Rebels were patient and kept the ball wisely in the closing stages of the first half resulting in Jones slotting over a point. Dublin though got a key score just before the hooter sounded when Bugler kicked over a two-pointer, 1-8 to 0-9 at half-time.
On the resumption, Cormac Costello tacked on a free for Dessie Farrell’s team as they started the new half well but poor execution was their downfall. Cork’s first score of the half came four minutes in when Colm O’Callaghan pointed.
Two quick-fire points from Dublin though tied up the contest, 0-12 to 1-9 after 41 minutes. Four minutes later, a quick indirect free by the Dubs caught Cork napping as Brian Howard finished expertly into the corner of the net.
The Leesiders response was positive, O’Callaghan and Jones with white flags to reduce the deficit to one point, 1-12 to 1-11.
After a bit of a lull in the game, Cronin drew Cork level as the pendulum swung again in favour of the Rebels. A fantastic Seán Walsh effort nudged Cleary’s team in front again after 52 minutes.
Two successive points from Dublin pushed them ahead. Cork did kick two of the next three points to draw parity with sub Cathail O’Mahony making an impact with a fisted point, 1-15 each with 13 minutes to go.
The Dubs added points through Costello and Paddy Small to give them a two-point lead, but the Rebels were well in the game.
A Cronin free left a single point in it after 63 minutes, but a close-range Costello free restored Dublin’s two-point advantage.
It was a nail-biting finish, unfortunately, Dublin showed experience to run down the clock while also pointing courtesy of sub Luke Breathnach.
A brave performance that falls short for Cork as their season comes to an end.
S Bugler (1 2pt), C Costello (0-2 f) 0-5 each, P Small 0-4, B Howard 1-0, J Small, L Gannon, N Scully, L Breathnach, C Kilkenny 0-1 each.
C Óg Jones 1-4, M Cronin 0-4 (0-2 f), C O’Callaghan, B Hurley 0-2 each, MA Martin (45), S Walsh, C O’Mahony, I Maguire 0-1 each.
S Cluxton; E Murchan, S MacMahon, D Byrne; B Howard, J Small, L Gannon; P Ó Cofaigh Byrne, C Kilkenny (c); K McGinnis, S Bugler, N Scully; P Small, L O’Dell, C Costello.
C Murphy for L O’Dell (45), L Breathnach for K McGinnis (56), T Lahiff for L Gannon (59), N Doran for N Scully (68).
M A Martin; N Lordan, 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.
E McSweeney for P Walsh (48), C Cahalane for S McDonnell (49-58, temp), C O’Mahony for B Hurley (55), S Powter for M Taylor (58), L Fahy for N Lordan (63).
Seán Hurson (Tyrone).
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