Super sub O’Connor is hero for Cork

Cork 0-10 Meath 1-4

It was a well-deserved win and moves the Munster side to joint leadership with neighbours Kerry in the roll of honour on 13 titles.

“Any time you beat Meath in an All-Ireland final is a good day,” said Cork boss Mossie Barrett. “Given the slippery conditions, it was always going to be a dour struggle, but it’s all about winning and I’d rather win a bad final that lose a good one.

“It was an unbelievable result for us, because while we were the dominant side, we couldn’t put Meath away and it was anyone’s game after they drew level with 15 minutes to go.

“I’ve spoken all year long about the character of our team. We looked to be coasting to victory when we led by four points midway through the second half, only to be hit by a point and then by a sucker punch of a goal but to finish with three glorious points to win it, has left me breathless.

“All-Irelands at this level may not mean too much to Cork people, but look what it means to our players and I can tell you we’ll cherish this one like no other.”

Wholesale mistakes were made in the greasy underfoot conditions but they added to the excitement of the occasion as Meath took an early to point to nil lead in the opening minutes. They were grateful however for a wonder point blank save by their goalkeeper John Curry who denied John Russell.

With Russell very lively in attack, Meath were again grateful that ‘keeper Curry was on form and he made another tremendous save in the 15th minute this time from Daniel Goulding before Cork’s pressure had them on level terms after 20 minutes.

Play was extremely scrappy, and with defences on top, the sides were level at 0-3 apiece at the break.

Cork changed tactics for the second half opting to use the long ball and with Donagh Wiseman rock solid at full back and Ger Spillane impressing outside him, the Munster champions hit a purple patch, rifling over four points in a row, the last one a splendid effort from a 45 by Daniel Goulding, to lead 0-7 to 0-3 after 40 minutes.

Meath went 22 minutes without a score but an Ian McManus point gave them some hope, and the game was thrown wide open in the 45th minute when the Royal County grabbed the game’s only goal.

There appeared to be no danger as Ger Spillane came thundering out of his defence with the ball, but he was disposed and Rory Maguire finished it to the net. It tied the game for the third time, but more importantly gave the initiative back to Meath.

With ten minutes to go Cork brought on O’Connor and he kicked two glorious long range points, one from a 50 metre free to edge his side back in front and it was fitting that Daniel Goulding should have the final say when he pointed a long range free.

Understandably team captain Michael Prout was a happy man as he accepted the cup from GAA President Sean Kelly, becoming the first player from the Shamrocks club to captain an All-Ireland winning Cork team.

“It’s difficult to describe how I feel. Chances like this don’t come around too often for a fella like me and I’m going to savour this victory,” he said.

Scorers: Cork: D. Goulding 0-5 (0-3 frees, 0-1 45); D. O’Connor 0-2 (0-1 free); J. Russell, V. Hurley, J. Buckley 0-1 each. Meath: R. Maguire 1-0; P. Curran, I. McManus (free), B. Lynch (free) 0-1 each.

CORK: A. Quirke; C. Murphy, D. Wiseman, M. Prout; M. Fehilly, G. Spillane, E. Wiseman; A. O’Connor, S. O’Sullivan; J. Buckley, V. Hurley, J. Russell; D. Goulding, S. Hayes, P. Dunlea.

Subs: N. O’Riordan for Hayes; D. O’Connor for Hurley.

MEATH: J. Curry; J. Bannon, C. McLoughlin, P. Nugent; B. Kieran, J. Donoghue, G. Hynes; B. Lynch, S. Dillon; P. Curran, I. McManus, G. McCullagh; JL McGee, J. Gallagher, R. Maguire.

Subs: C. Brennan for McGee; W. Reilly for Curran.

Referee: P. Carney (Roscommon).