Crafty Cork get a second wind

Galway 2-11 Cork 2-14

It was achieved with a storming recovery to which outstanding centre-back Anthony Lynch was one of several players to make a huge contribution. Ultimately, however, the goal scored by Brendan Jer O’Sullivan in the 49th minute proved to be the biggest factor in Galway’s downfall.

It was an extraordinary result, one that could not have been anticipated at the interval because of the vulnerability of the Cork full-back line. That was highlighted by Meehan’s goals, the form of Padraic Joyce and the threat from U-21 star Sean Armstrong.

Starting with Armstrong in their half-forward line in place of Derek Savage, the Connacht champions led 0-3 to 0-1 after nine minutes, but after newcomer John Hayes showed great confidence to convert a Cork penalty (won by James Masters), scores were to level three times up to the 18th minute.

During that period, there was much to admire in the play of both teams. Galway midfielder Barry Cullinane was starting to gain a grip against Nicholas Murphy which he was to maintain more or less through to the interval. Joyce showed he had the beating of Graham Canty once he roamed outfield. And the same applied to Michael Donnellan after he moved from the left corner to centre-forward.

On the Cork side, John Hayes showed that, with the right ball, he could make progress at the other end of the field, while all three half-forwards were contributing.

That scenario changed rather dramatically in a matter of minutes. Firstly, Kevin O’Dwyer misjudged a floating shot fired in by Cullinane and when the ball dropped through his hands, the alert Meehan had the strength to push it over the line.

That was in the 23rd minute and after the industrious Masters (who had a strong influence before he was replaced later on), Meehan had the ball in the net in less than two minutes. This time, centre-back Paul Clancy was the provider. From about the same area, his shot sailed over the heads of Meehan and Gary Murphy and the Galway man beat O’Dwyer to the ball before calmly scoring.

Galway were now five points clear and playing with a growing confidence, but Cork were to show admirable character in maintaining an otherwise strong challenge. Both wing-backs were more involved, there was an improvement at midfield and Conor McCarthy started to win ball at centre-forward.

Additionally, an in-form O’Sullivan scored with a huge kick and Lynch, showing dogged determination, pointed in the 33rd minute. It meant that Cork were just four points in arrears at the break, 2-7 to 1-6.

On the resumption, Cork were every bit as competitive, as the teams added on two points. The second from Galway came in the 43rd minute and, very significantly, they were to manage just two other scores for the rest of the game.

It was only when Cork began to dominate the game that the value of the wind to them could be fully appreciated. They gained their best return from midfield while a further improvement at half-back could be seen in Noel O’Leary making an impact for the first time in the game. Combined with the industry of their half-forwards, which saw Kevin McMahon, in particular, play a vital role from start to finish, it meant that there was much less ball going into Galway’s inside forwards.

And, with Joyce moving to centre-forward, where he achieved little during Cork’s best spell, Graham Canty came into his own at full-back.

Brendan Jer O’Sullivan’s goal came 15 minutes into the second half, the result of a splendid move which saw Derek Kavanagh provide the final pass, and it was excellently taken.

McMahon followed quickly with a point and, in another eight minutes, their margin had been extended to four after Lynch scored an inspirational point and the crafty Philip Clifford hit over a marvellous score from the left wing.

However, the game was far from over as a contest, because Armstrong lost a good chance of a goal after being tackled by Lynch in the 60th minute. Meehan kicked over what proved to be their last score a minute later.

Approaching the game’s most critical phase, Cork came under pressure after Cullinane won a few balls in the air and conceded a few frees. But, they were lucky that Joyce took what seemed to be the wrong option from a scorable free, trying to place Donnellan with a shot that went over his head.

Cork still lived dangerously, even after a 66th minute point from the impressive Hayes. But, it was as if Morgan’s team had used up its quota of bad luck and that they were destined to be still in front at the final whistle. And, the way they made it happen meant that it would be churlish for anybody to begrudge it to them!

*Maurice Deegan made mistakes on both sides, but his refereeing was generally good.

Scorers: Cork: B.J. O’Sullivan 1-3; J. Hayes 1-3 (1-1 frees); J. Masters 0-3 (0-2 frees); A. Lynch 0-2; K. McMahon, O. Sexton and P. Clifford 0-1 each. Galway: P. Joyce 0-7 (0-5 frees); M. Meehan 1-2; S. Armstrong 0-2.

CORK: K. O’Dwyer; G. Murphy, G. Canty, N. Geary; N. O’Leary, A. Lynch, O. Sexton (capt.); N. Murphy, D. Kavanagh; B.J. O’Sullivan, C. McCarthy, K. McMahon; J. Masters, P. Clifford, J. Hayes.

Subs: K. O’Connor for Geary (second half); A. Cronin for Masters (61st minute).

GALWAY: B. O’Donoghue; A. Burke, F. Hanley, K. Fitzgerald; D. Meehan, P. Clancy, D. Burke; B. Cullinane, N. Coleman; J. Bergin, S. Armstrong, M. Clancy; M. Meehan, P. Joyce, M. Donnellan.

Subs: M. Comer for Coleman (41st minute); K. Comer for M. Clancy (60th); C. Monaghan for Hanley (70th).

Referee: M. Deegan (Laois).