Winning start for McCarthy
While Cork never looked like losing and were always in control except for a shaky start which saw Offaly’s Joe Bergin and Cathal Parlon opening the scoring, they never really pressed home their advantage. Had it not been for a couple of superb saves by keeper Donal Óg Cusack, there might even have seen an upset.
“We had to fight hard for it,” admitted McCarthy, “Offaly never gave up. We went several points ahead several times, it looked like we could stretch our lead, but they kept fighting away, very dogged. For a young team, I’m sure they’ll be very happy with that, the way they fought to the very end. Seven points in it at the end, but we were lucky to have it at that.”
