Cork caught cold as Derry strike late

A POINT by Declan Mullen two minutes from the final whistle gave Derry a shock victory in a hugely entertaining ESB All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at Croke Park on Saturday.

It was a victory that didn’t look likely at the interval when a confident Cork side held all the aces and enjoyed a comfortable 1-4 to 0-2 lead.

However, the Ulster side improved immeasurably on the changeover, with Declan Mullen leading their recovery. In a dramatic final five minutes they drew level with a cracking goal by the hugely talented James Kielt, before Mullen’s match-winner set up a semi-final with Laois later this month.

“That is a shattering defeat for us,” said Cork coach Mick Evans. “They showed their potential in the second half once they got into their stride, but we should never have allowed them back into the game. We took the wrong options on a few occasions, going for goals when points were there for the taking.

“Losing Chris O’Donovan from midfield was a big blow to us, but we had little choice in taking him off.

“My two years in charge are up now and hopefully whoever comes in can take the team on a stage further. There are a lot of players eligible again for next year, including five of the six forwards.”

Cork enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening minutes but the greasy surface made ball control very difficult for both teams.

The Munster champions adapted that bit better and with the towering figures of Chris O’Donovan and Derry O’Callaghan giving them a grip at midfield, and Paul Honohan showing well up front, the scores began to come.

Barry O’Driscoll opened Cork’s account with a point; O’Callaghan added another soon after and a minute later O’Driscoll finished a splendid move to the net.

For all their territorial advantage Cork were wasteful in front of goal, kicking six wides before Derry finally got on the score sheet with a Gavin McGeehan fisted point after 20 minutes.

The Oak Leaf County forwards also kicked a number of bad wides before they got their second score, a Lee Moore point from a free in the 31st minute.

Cork looked well on their way at the break leading by five points but Derry stormed out from the restart. In the space of six minutes they kicked three points in a row, two by the classy Mullen and Cork found themselves with a battle on their hands.

Surprisingly Cork began to struggle in defence, which wasn’t helped by the loss of Chris O’Donovan and Derry, urged on by a growing following, began to stamp their authority on the affair.

The pressure on the Cork defence began to grow and after two lucky escapes, it was finally breached when James Kielt hit the net to tie the game for the first and only time.

Cork were making wholesale mistakes now, giving hard earned possession away far too easily, and were made to play the ultimate price. A 45-metre free for a late tackle was played short to Declan Mullen and he weaved his way through to give Derry the lead.

Cork did have a late chance to at least earn a draw, but with only the goalkeeper to beat Derry O’Callaghan’s powerful strike was brilliantly saved by Derry keeper Andrew Warnock.

Scorers for Derry: J. Kielt 1-1; D. Mullen 0-3; L. Moore 0-2 (frees); G. McGeehan,

A. Horan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: B. O’Driscoll 1-2 (0-1f); P. Honohan 0-2 (0-1f); D. O’Callaghan, C. Sheehan, A. Walsh 0-1 each.

DERRY: A. Warnock; M. McKinney, C. McWilliams,

D. Bell; C. Nevin, JF Bradley,

B. Henry; C. McKigue,

P. Heaney, S. Cleary, J. Kielt,

D. Mullen; C. McFeeley,

G. McGeehan, l. Moore.

Subs: N. Forrister for Nevin;

C. O’Boyle for Heaney; A. Heron for McFeeley; K. Morrow for Henry.

CORK: B. Walsh; I. Jones,

R. Buckley, L. Long; B. Kelleher, M. Mennis, D. O’Sullivan; C. O’Donovan, D. O’Callaghan; B. O’Driscoll, C. Sheehan,

A. Walsh; E. Buckley, P. Honohan, C. Dunne.

Subs: P. Hickey for O’Donovan; A. O’Reilly for Kelleher;

M. Collins for Dunne;

L. McLoughlin for Buckley.

Referee: G. McCormack (Dublin).