The key factors in Cork's demolition of Dublin
Cork manager Pat Ryan and his children Cian and Aisling after defeating Dublin in the All-Ireland SHC semi final at Croke park . Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Dublin simply had no answer to a devastating Cork side in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Dublin at Croke Park on Saturday as the Rebels seven goals left them shell-shocked.
One of the key aspects of the shock Dublin victory over Limerick was that there were probably more Cork supporters in the crowd shouting for Dublin than Limerick fans shouting for Limerick. On Saturday it was a very different experience for the Dublin hurlers.
Croke Park may be their home turf but it certainly did not feel like that in Saturday as the Rebels ruled the roost. Dub GAA fans have never experienced being outnumbered like this before. They were in shock.
It told as Croker was a sea of red, with each Cork goal being greeted with a tidal wave of Rebel roars.
Cork have a reputation for goal scoring but so do the Dub, although Cork were on a different level here.
Dublin had scored 18 goals in seven games to Cork's 11 in five, meaning they had similar goal scoring ratios coming into this semi-final.
Limerick had failed to rattle Sean Brennan’s net in the quarter-final which meant Dublin were always there or thereabouts, even down a man. Cork knew they would have to hurt them in this regard.
Ultimately Dublin had no answer for Cork's red helmet wearing twin tower strike force of Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly with the pair having a brace each by half time to leave Dublin stunned. Paddy Smyth and his teammates had what Alex Ferguson used to describe as ‘twisted blood’ from trying to contain Hayes in particular.
Tim O’Mahony added a brace of his own, in a brilliant display, to ensure there was to be no comeback, and Connolly smashed home late on to complete a scintillating hat-trick.
Whatever about the goals it seemed very strange that Dublin let Hayes one on one with Smyth under puckouts for the entire match.
The Clontarf man is a quality defender but the Barr’s man has to be surrounded under Patrick Collins’ long restarts as he can be unplayable at times.
It was a huge error from Dublin and they paid the price as the Cork full forward line ripped them to pieces under high ball, low ball and crossfield ball.
Seamus Harnedy and Cormac O’Brien were huge losses to Pat Ryan’s side but the Rebels still had plenty resources on the pine.
Conor Lehane, Shane Kingston, Robbie O’Flynn, Jack O’Connor and Tommy O’Connell all came on, but there was no rescue act this time, as Cork were well clear.
Niall Ó Ceallacháin got his match ups wrong with his inside defenders not being able to contain Connolly and Hayes.
It did not help that they had lost two defenders early in the first half but in hindsight they probably needed a sweeper to try and contain Cork and stay in the contest longer.
Dublin went for the jugular by starting the St. Vincent’s man instead of saving him for the final quarter. You can imagine the thinking here was to capitalise on the fact that Cork were coming in cold after four weeks of inaction.
By starting Hetherton Dublin were throwing away their main impact player off the bench.
It seemed an all or nothing gamble by the Dublin management and ultimately it backfired.
They obviously saw Eoin Downey as a weak link but the move did not work as the Glen full back cleaned up in the air, to show why he won an All Star last year.
The move also removed the impact element that Hetherton would have brought from the bench late on.
There will be no stopping the hype train after Cork's seven goal display on Saturday evening.
It is what it is though and Cork must embrace it. They will, of course, know that they will be facing a far tougher opponent in two weeks.
Exiting Croke Park last year after the thrilling semi-final win over Limerick the Cork supporters, players and management were exhilarated by the manner of the victory, as beating John Kiely‘s magnificent side was that much of an achievement.
As ‘After All’ by the Frank and Walters belted out on repeat it was party time but the mood was one of satisfaction rather than jubilation on Saturday after this victory, as there was a sense that the job is only half done, with all the focus immediately moving onto the All-Ireland final in a fortnight.
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