Goulding stars for battling Rebels

Cork 1-14 Kerry 2-8

And the big full-forward did just that, scoring 1-6, the goal as stunning as it was significant.

Rewind seven days to Killarney, where Goulding had a nightmare and was fortunate to stay on the field. On this occasion he produced an outstanding display, and his goal, set up for him by Paul Kerrigan, was a magnificent strike at a vital stage when Kerry had crept into the lead.

As in the drawn affair Cork looked likely winners early into the game, but failed to push home their territorial advantage and allowed Kerry trouble them in the second half.

Leahy said: “It was a battling performance by our lads. But the teams left in the championship have a lot of work done and we certainly cannot afford to look beyond our semi-final. I did say to the lads at half-time that some of them were showboating. A lot of Kerry scores came from our mistakes and that was unacceptable. You will not always get away with that type of play.

“But the lads showed commendable character after losing a five-point lead and going three points down with 10 minutes to go. Another team would have folded, but I’ve always said we have a very good panel of footballers, and the longer we stay in this championship, the tougher we’ll be to beat.

“I was particularly delighted for Daniel Goulding after last week’s game. It was one of those days when nothing went right but he responded superbly and proved he is an excellent player.”

Kerry coach John O’Dwyer said the game was lost in the first half when his side went in two points down after playing with the very strong wind.

“We gave ourselves a mountain to climb in the second half but all credit to the lads they accepted the challenge and when we went a goal in front, we certainly harboured hopes of causing an upset. But fair play to Cork, they hit back strongly for a goal and we have few complaints.

“Kerry needed to be in front at the break, but Cork outplayed us for most of that half. The introduction of Damien Breen to midfield was a big help to us, and I certainly can’t fault our lads for the way the battled back to take the lead. We didn’t use the wind to our advantage when we had it, and it cost us.”

Kerry won the toss and elected to play with the wind but it was the home side that did the early attacking. The aerial dominance of Fintan Gould and Alan O’Connor gave Cork total command of midfield and with John Hayes sparkling up front, the scores began to flow freely.

Cork led 0-3 to 0-2 after 10 minutes before they were rocked by a splendid goal by Paul O’Connor. He caught superbly from the air, turned and billowed the net from close range. Cork’s response was immediate and with Goulding finding his scoring touch at full-forward, the champions kicked six unanswered points to go in at the break leading 0-9 to 1-4 with Goulding scoring half of that tally.

It looked like a case of how much Cork were going to win by as they turned to play with the wind.

However, Kerry hadn’t quite read the script and powered by Bryan Sheehan and Damien Breen, they threw down the gauntlet to Cork, scoring 1-3 without reply. After a goal by wing-back Michael Curran it was hard to see the visitors being beaten.

Paul Kerrigan, who had given away possession which led to the Kerry goal, redeemed himself with a great run which set Goulding up for a goal that tied the game for the fourth time. More importantly, it knocked the heart out of the Kerry challenge, and Cork finished strongly with four unanswered points to set up a semi-final with Tipperary.

Scorers: Cork: D. Goulding 1-6 (0-4 frees); J. Hayes 0-6 (0-5 frees); P. O’Flynn, R. Leahy 0-1 each. Kerry: K. O’Leary (0-2 frees), B. Sheehan (frees) 0-3 each; P. O’Connor, M. Curran 1-0 each; D. O’Sullivan, D. Breen 0-1 each.

CORK: K. O’Halloran; C. Murphy, S., O’Donoghue, R. Carey; D. Limrick, M. Shields, E. Cadogan; A. O’Connor, F. Gould; P. O’Flynn, P.Kelly, P. Kerrigan; R. Leahy, D. Goulding, J. Hayes.

Sub: B. Cotter for Kelly.

KERRY: B. Kealy; K. Young, M. O’Mahony, D. O’Connor; L. Quinn, C. Kelleher, M. Curran; P. Reidy, B. Sheehan; D. O’Sullivan, M. Murphy, A. O’Sullivan; K. O’Leary, M. O’Donoghue, P. O’Connor.

Subs: N. O’Mahony for Kelleher; D. Breen for O’Donoghue; P. O’Connor (Valentia) for Murphy.

Referee: B., Tyrell (Tipperary).