Cork 1-11 Dublin 1-10
Cork 1-11 Dublin 1-10: Rebels repel Dublin revival
Michael Foley at Páirc Uí Rinn
A HOME game against Dublin has always been a cherished old poultice, passed down through generations of Cork footballers to help them escape their sick bed. Twenty-three years have now passed since Dublin recorded a win in Cork, and after a difficult start to the League their most recent visit was gratefully availed of by the locals.
By the end of a lively game Cork could count eight scorers and a selection of fine performances on a desperately mucky night. Their defence knitted tightly together and when Dublin started to jab a finger in Cork’s chest midway through the second-half, their composed response was deeply impressive.
From the beginning Cork skated across a pitch glistened by a day’s heavy rain, penning Dublin into their own half for long spells. A neat goal by Donncha O’Connor after seven minutes put Cork in front and a swift flow of ball into Cork’s attack saw all their forwards notch a score by the 30th minute.
Dublin laboured to find a response, with a chronic lack of decent ball into their attack and some impressive covering by Cork in defence limiting their opportunities. Bryan Cullen, in particular, looked inhibited, and Ger Spillane took impressive advantage at centre-back. Further outfield, Cork were in comfortable control and Noel O’Leary got through an impressive amount of work at centre field.
Then, with half-time coming and a six-point deficit to consider, Dublin got a break as Declan Lally swept a loose ball to the net. After half-time Alan Brogan was slipped into the game to join Cullen and with Cork’s lead halved, 1-6 to 1-3, Dublin headed into the second-half with more hope.
Cullen was rejuvenated at centre-forward and three excellent points formed the centrepiece of a revival that eventually trimmed the gap to a point after 46 minutes. Inside a minute Noel O’Leary was withdrawn following a brutal challenge from Denis Bastic, Mossy Quinn hit an equaliser and with 15 minutes left Cork were starting to wobble.
Instead, with Conor McCarthy linking play well and Anthony Lynch now boring holes in Dublin’s defence, the game swung again. David Niblock hoisted a magnificent point, Bastic received a second yellow card and Cork had stretched three ahead with 10 minutes left. Replacement Ciarán Whelan launched a final booming point and Dublin clawed Cork back, but the lead was enough to sustain Cork to the end.
Teams: Cork: A Quirke; M Prout, G Canty, K O’Connor; S Levis (D Mehigan 16min (D Coughlan 65min), G Spillane, A Lynch; D Hurley, N O’Leary (0-1) (G Murphy 53min, 0-1); C McCarthy (0-1), D Niblock (0-2), S O’Brien (0-1); J Masters (0-2f), K O’Sullivan (0-3, 2f), D O’Connor
Dublin: S Cluxton; P Griffin, B Cahill, D Henry; P Casey, C Goggins, P Andrews; D Bastic, D Magee (C Whelan 35min, 0-1); C Keaney (0-1), B Cullen (0-3), D Lally (1-0); D O’Callaghan (0-2) (M Vaughan 65min), S Ryan (A Brogan h/t, 0-1), T Quinn (0-2, 1f)
Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan)