Murphy strike saves Cork

A goal in the dying seconds of injury time from right corner-forward Kieran Murphy of Sarsfields dramatically preserved Cork’s unbeaten run in Division 1 ‘B’ of the Allianz National Hurling League at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Cork 3-11 Offaly 1-15

Without question this was a very hard-earned triumph for a Cork side that struggled up front for long periods and coach Donal O’Grady said: “Offaly will feel hard done-by that they did not get a draw at least.”

With the wind gusting to near gale-force, this was always going to be a real test of endurance and credit to Cork for sticking it out to the bitter end even when defeat stared them in the face. “This was not a game for the purist, principally because of the very difficult conditions. It was quite sloppy at times but I admired the heart and commitment of our lads,” said a much relieved O’Grady.

When Offaly, with wind advantage, opened up a nine point lead at the interval, Cork’s position looked precarious. The Cork defence, in which Mark Prendergast, Graham Callinan, Ronan Curran and Cian O’Connor excelled, kept Offaly at bay early on with pure grit and determination.

With two points from top-scorer Jonathon O’Callaghan, the only Cork forward to score in the opening half, the home side managed to stay in touch. But then Offaly opened the floodgates and eight points in succession put daylight between the sides coming up to the interval.

A point late into stoppage time from midfielder John Gardiner left it 0-12 to 0-3 in Offaly’s favour at half-time. But such was the ineptitude of the Cork attack Offaly appeared to have every chance of ending Cork’s winning streak. However, two super opportunist goals in the space of five minutes from Kieran Murphy of Erins Own, and his name-sake from Sarsfields, brought Cork roaring back.

Then when Jonathon O’Callaghan pointed another free, there was just the bare minimum between them.

But gutsy Offaly then battened down the hatches and refused to allow Cork to build on their stunning start to the second-half. And with chief marksman Rory Hanniffy and wing back Colm Cassidy converting frees, Offaly extended their lead to three points entering the closing quarter.

Cork, with another pointed free from O’Callaghan and a second delightful effort from midfielder Paul Tierney, once again came within a point of the visitors with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

Then disaster struck for Cork. After a catalogue of mistakes at the back, full-forward Joe Brady pounced for what appeared to be the match-winning goal for Offaly.

Minutes later Cork’s second-half substitute Joe Deane shot over with the goal seemingly at his mercy. But Cork kept battling away and O’Callaghan hit over two points from frees before Kieran Murphy delivered his clinching goal.

Scorers: Cork: K. Murphy (Sarsfields) 2-0; K. Murphy (Erins Own) 1-0; J. O’Callaghan 0-7 (0-5 from frees); P. Tierney 0-2; J. Gardiner and J. Deane 0-1 each. Offaly: J. Brady 1-1; R. Hanniffy 0-5 (0-4 from frees); G. Hanniffy 0-2; B. Carroll 0-2; C. Cassidy 0-2 (0-2 from frees); M. Cordial, K. Brady and B. Murphy 0-1 each.

CORK:.D. og Cusack; W. Sherlock, D. O’Sullivan, M. Prendergast; G. Callinan, R. Curran, C. O’Connor; J. Gardiner, P. Tierney; J. O’Callaghan, M. Byrne, K. Murphy (Erins Own); K. Murphy (Sarsfields), B. Lombard, S. McGrath.

Subs: J. Deane for McGrath; T. Kenny for Gardiner; N. McCarthy for K. Murphy (Erins Own); E. Fitzgerald for Lombard.

OFFALY: B. Mullins; B. Teehan, G. Oakley, D. Franks; N. Claffey, B. Whelahan, C. Cassidy; N. Mannion, B. Carroll; R. Hanniffy, G. Hanniffy, B. Murphy; M. Cordial, J. Brady, D. Murray.

Subs. K. Brady for Claffey (injured); D. Hayden for Mannion; Barry Whelehan for for Murray; M. O’Hara for Barry Whelahan.

Referee: P. Aherne (Carlow).