JBM: Missed chances and slow build-up left Cork down against Mayo

Cork legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy didn’t hide his disappointment as he reflected on Cork’s 0-23 to 0-18 defeat to Mayo in Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final at Croke Park.

Speaking to The Echo on Sunday morning, he said the result stung all the more because Cork had put themselves in a strong position early on but failed to make it count.

The Rebels missed out on reaching the last four for the first time since 2012 as the wait now goes on.

“It was a disappointing result,” Barry-Murphy began.

“When I saw the draw, I was very, very hopeful, especially after our great win in Ballybofey against Donegal. But you’d have to say yesterday was a disappointing result in the end.

“Looking back on the game, the first half cost us very dearly. We had loads of possession, lots of scoring chances, but we didn’t take them, and ultimately to go in at half-time level was an absolute killer.

“It didn’t reflect the possession stats in the first half. As we all know, you must translate that into scores in the modern game. If you don’t take those chances with the two-point situation, you’re vulnerable.

“To go into the dressing rooms 0-9 each and to concede the two-pointer on the stroke of half-time from a breach of the three-man rule was tough.

“There’s no way it reflected our dominance in the first half, but unfortunately that dominance wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard.” 

The second half brought more frustration for Cork as Mayo pulled away and went six points up at one stage. There was a sense even in the press box that the game was gradually slipping away.

“We had plenty of scoring opportunities, but Mayo defended much better in the second half,” Barry-Murphy said.

“To be fair to Mayo, their defence was very, very good, and we contributed to our own downfall by working the ball into poor situations and being turned over, and that absolutely crippled us.

“We did very well in the second half in Ballybofey, but our performance yesterday didn’t match that, and it was credit to Mayo. Their defence was excellent in the second half.

“I was watching Mayo against Meath in the previous game, and they looked wide open at the back, and I thought we’d get a lot of goal chances, but that never materialised.” 

Cork struggled for scoring power up front and a bit of guile when the need was greatest. The Mayo full-forward line of Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue and Kobe McDonald scored a combined total of 0-19 — more than Cork managed.

“Mayo’s full-forward line ran riot. Their scoring contribution was off the charts. Also, Mayo got five two-pointers, we got two, and our two were frees. That’s a huge difference. We needed more from our forwards.

“In saying that, for long stretches I still felt we’d win. We were completely dominant in possession, and we were getting our kick-outs away pretty good.

“But again, we carried the ball into poor situations. Our support build-up was a bit slow and allowed Mayo to defend, which they did excellently.

“It was a missed opportunity. Going into the Mayo game, you thought you’d a great chance. But Croke Park is unforgiving, and when you don’t take your chances, you pay for it in the end.

“The Cork players will know themselves it was a missed opportunity. When you have so much possession in the first half and you create the openings, you’ve got to punish the team. When you don’t, you pay for it.”