O’Sullivan the ace for Cork

Cork 0-16

Overall, an ineffective Dublin challenge was suppressed with surprising ease because of the quality of Cork's play, hugely influenced by Brendan Jer O'Sullivan's brilliance in attack, along with the superiority of Nicholas Murphy at midfield and Anthony Lynch at full-back.

Tompkins was delighted with O'Sullivan's form. "We have seen glimpses of the way he can play, but today it was the master of all performances.

Agreeing that it was good to get the Galway game out of the system, the player himself was philosophical. "All the people last week were giving out about me, now they'll be clapping me on the back tonight, but that's the way it goes," he commented.

Tompkins added: "The main thing for us is to get our own game in order. We talked about a lot of things during the week and we put them into practice."

Even against a very strong wind, Cork made most of the early running, only coming under real pressure near the end of the first quarter.

They had reserve 'keeper Kevin Murphy in place of Kevin O'Dwyer and he performed very creditably before being forced off injured late in the game.

O'Sullivan, who was to cover huge ground, kicked two fine scores inside eight minutes and it wasn't until the 16th minute that Dublin led for the first time, through Jonathan Magee.

With Jason Sherlock impressive after switching to the left corner, the backline reading Cork's game more astutely and Ciaran Whelan showing up at midfield, Dublin were two points clear in another six minutes. However, they were never afterwards able to impose their will on the play.

"We just stopped playing, for whatever reason," said manager Tommy Lyons. "People have to realise that when you wear the Dublin jersey, you can't have a performance like that. We all know that Brendan Jer can hit a day like that where he kicks for Ireland. He hit one of those days today!"

In mitigation, he pointed out that they had to make six changes from the Kerry game. .

With Micheal O Croinin enhancing his positive play with three great scores from frees into the wind, Cork looked the more confident side as they regained the lead.

Anthony Lynch was commanding against Ray Cosgrove, Noel O'Leary very effective at left half-back and, Nicholas Murphy and the excellent Graham Canty were again controlling the middle, and the attack was functioning very smoothly as a unit.

With James O'Shea almost stealing a goal when his snap shot went over off the crossbar, they finished the half 0-7 to 0-5 in front.

While Colin Crowley produced a good score within 20 seconds of the restart, Dublin played the more positive football for about ten minutes, boosted by two Cosgrove frees.

However, Tompkins' well-drilled team was back in the driving seat approaching the three-quarters stage, encouraged once more by two marvellous scores from O'Sulivan and the aerial supremacy achieved by Nicholas Murphy.

Additionally, Jim O'Donoghue was very effective and Conor McCarthy again a useful addition after O Croinin was forced off injured.

Only three points separated the sides with ten minutes remaining, but Cork merely moved up a gear to manufacture some fine scores and a disappointing Dublin were unable to respond.

Brian Crowe's refereeing was largely convincing, in his application of the rules and consistency.

Scorers for Cork B.J. O'Sullivan (0-6); M. O Croinin (0-3 frees); J. O'Donoghue and J. O'Shea (0-2 each); C. Crowley, G. Canty and C. McCarthy (0-1 each).

Dublin: J. Sherlock, R. Cosgrove (0-2 frees) and C. Whelan (0-2 each); J. Magee and S. Connell (0-1 each.)

CORK: K. Murphy (Boherbue); N. O'Donovan, A. Lynch, A. O'Connor; S. Levis, E. Sexton, N. O'Leary; N. Murphy, G. Canty; B.J. O'Sullivan, J. O'Donoghue, J. Miskella; J. O'Shea, M. O Croinin, C. Crowley.

Subs: T. Kenny for O Croinin, (inj 50th minute); C. McCarthy for Miskella (61st); K. O'Dwyer for K. Murphy (injured 62nd).

DUBLIN: B. Murphy; D. Henry, P. Christie, P. Andews; P. Casey, D. Cahill, C. Goggins; C. Whelan J. Magee; C. Moran, B. Cullen, S. Connell; J. Sherlock, R. Cosgrove, J. McNally.

Subs: A. Brogan for McNally and D. O'Mahony for Cullen (second half); D. Magee for Moran (54th); P. Griffin for Andrews (60th); E. Crennan for Connell (69th).

Referee: B. Crowe (Cavan).