Galway in control early and power into final

Galway 1-20 Cork 0-8

A point from classy right half-forward Donal Reilly after just 20 seconds of play, set the scene for an efficient performance from a stylish Galway side.

With Reilly, centre-back Dermot Ryan, midfielders Michael Broderick and Stephen Forde, and full-forward Niall Healy catching the eye with sparkling individual displays, Galway outclassed a Cork team that failed to score from play in the first half although playing with the aid of a strong wind.

As Galway picked off some superb points, Cork failed dismally in the scoring department and nine first half wides tells its own sad story.

Three pointed frees from left corner-forward Brian Canty was the net result of Cork’s first half endeavours, although they were denied a goal in the 20th minute, when Galway custodian Marc Herlihy brilliantly saved a close-range attempt by full-forward Kevin Canty.

With both Reilly and Healy displaying a maturity way beyond their tender years, Galway powered into a 0-12 to 0-3 interval lead.

Cork made four substitutions at half time and that resulted in an improvement, but they were still fighting a lost cause.

Their first two points from play, scored by Brian Canty and substitute Finbarr Corcoran, gave them a badly-needed lift but they were shattered in the 42nd minute when outstanding midfielder Michael Broderick combined with left corner-forward Kerril Wade to set up full-forward Healy for a gem of a goal.

Although now trailing by 12-points, Cork managed to battle on gamely.

But Galway, oozing with confidence, coasted to the decider.

Scorers for Galway: N Healy 1-6 (0-5 from frees); K Wade 0-4; N Callanan 0-2; M Callanan 0-2; C Donlon 0-2; M Broderick, S Forde, D Reilly and E Collins 0-1 each.

Cork: B Canty 0-6 (0-5 from frees); K Canty and F Corcoran 0-1 each.

GALWAY: M Herlihy; S Burke, D Nevin, D Clarke; P Holland, D Ryan, M Donlon; M Broderick, S Forde; D Reilly, C Donlon, N Callanan; M Callanan, N Healy, K Wade. Subs: E Collins for Holland, S Hurley for Healy, R Farrell for Reilly.

CORK: C Horgan; C Kelly, A Nyhan, J O’Mahony; C Daly, S Cronin, B Sheehan; S Andrews, R O’Flynn; J Kingston, C Keane, P McCarthy; M O’Sullivan, K Canty, B Canty. Subs: E Manning for McCarthy, F Corcoran for O’Flynn, D O’Callaghan for Kingston, N Buckley for Nyhan, P O’Neill for Keane.

Referee: M O’Connor (Limerick).