Tale of two keepers as cute Cork find answers

I thought James Owens had a fine game in Croke Park yesterday, an almost flawless performance. But, crucially, he made two mistakes and, unfortunately, they were two big ones.

The first was the decision to yellow-card Ryan O’Dwyer in the second minute, which led to his dismissal in the final quarter. His other error was not showing Liam Rushe a straight red for a wild swing on Patrick Horgan.

The second mistake then counteracts the first so that, on balance, I don’t think Dublin supporters can complain too loudly.

Let’s go to the hurling, and what hurling it was, another fantastic game in a fantastic championship season. I’m delighted too that such a crowd turned up, over 60,000, the majority of those up from Cork.

It was probably the biggest crowd that has followed Dublin hurling for some years though and I hope they went home happy in the knowledge that this is a team worth following.

Two men with a major influence on the result yesterday were on opposite sides of the field. Anthony Nash, the Cork keeper, made two good saves and scored three of the finest points you’re ever going to see in Croke Park. At the other end, Dublin’s Gary Maguire, so often a hero for them, was robbed by Patrick Horgan for the Cork goal. Now you have to give great credit to the Glen Rovers man for his opportunism, for his quickness of wrist to get that flick off Gary’s stick, but it shouldn’t have happened.

I thought Cork were very smart on the line in terms of their game plan. The directions were simple — fast direct ball delivered to the attack and typical of Cork forwards, they had the skill to take advantage. Every starting forward got on the scoreboard, as did sub Stephen Moylan and the two midfielders.

Mind you, that was matched by Dublin, all six starting forwards, the two midfielders and a sub got on the board. Have we ever seen that before? I can’t remember it.

Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his team also did well on substitutions, acting fast in taking off Tom Kenny when he was in trouble early in the second half.

Anthony Daly and his selectors were even faster in taking off Stephen Hiney. Again, the right decision; when the legs are gone, Croke Park is not the place to be.

A man who really caught my eye, not for the first time this year, was Cork full-back Shane O’Neill who had a mighty game. Stephen McDonnell wasn’t far behind, nor was William Egan on the wing. My man of the match though was Lorcán McLoughlin in the middle of the field. What an engine! He must have covered every blade of grass in Croke Park and scored three brilliant points as well.

Earlier this year I questioned the Cork forwards; they answered many of those questions against Kilkenny, they answered even more yesterday.

And you know what? I think there’s even more in this Cork attack. I’m convinced there is better to come from Seamus Harnedy, Pa Cronin, Conor Lehane, Luke O’Farrell, Patrick Horgan and Jamie Coughlan.

I have to talk about Jimmy Barry-Murphy. Everyone in Cork this morning should be thanking this man. They were in trouble in the mid 90s — who did they turn to? What did he do? They were in trouble again last year — who did they turn to? As he did when he was player, Jimmy has delivered for Cork. He has answered his critics, many of whom were very unfair to him, early this year especially when people were saying they could understand why the dual players were choosing football. I wonder how those critics are feeling today? I wonder how those players are feeling?

To Dublin, and I’m going to start with the manager. There’s no man will be more disappointed today than Anthony Daly and you have to understand that. Irrespective of whether he decides to stay on or not now though — and that’s his own business — he has been fantastic for Dublin. A first National League title since 1939, a first Leinster crown since 1961, twice in the All-Ireland semi-final, that’s massive progress for Dublin hurling.

Then look at the character they showed yesterday, especially after O’Dwyer was sent off — this is what you want to see from your players. Peter Kelly, Liam Rushe, John McCaffrey, Joey Boland, Conal Keaney, Danny Sutcliffe (especially, must be in line for an All Star) — in the face of adversity, they were defiant, brilliant. Dublin came out of this game with a loss, but with reputation enhanced.

They erred, I think, in taking off David Treacy, but just as the players are allowed a mistake or two, likewise the referee, so it is that no-one gets everything right on the line.

They deserve more support, hopefully they’ll get it next year.

Limerick and Clare have some standard to try and match on Sunday. We can’t wait.