Class, character, calls and a little karma win the day

This game turned on a few events. Dublin centre forward Ryan O’Dwyer, who was having a big influence on the game at the time, picked up a second yellow card with 20 minutes left at a time when the Metropolitans were a point to the good. For the record, the first card was harsh. Anthony Nash sent the free over the bar to level proceedings.

Ryan’s red card deprived the Dubs his huge work rate at a time when they were hurling well and putting Cork under pressure with a seven-man defence. Danny Sutcliffe and Conal Keaney were also going well with the latter proving strong under puck outs.

However, after the sending off, Dublin only managed three points while Cork tacked on 1-5.