Rebels answer call to arms

THERE were positives for both protagonists at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.

Cork overcame the second-halfdismissal of Eoin Cadogan to collect the two points required to copper fasten their berth in the Division 1 league decider in a fortnight.

That affords them another tilt at Dublin who conquered them two months ago when the Spring Series roared into life. But there were plenty encouraging signs for Conor Counihan from this success overArmagh that will convince him that his charges have improved in fitness and football in the interim.

Despite losing, Armagh staved off the threat of relegation. Their February win over Monaghan has transpired to be their saving grace. Good news in this game stemmed from the vibrant displays of Aaron Kernan and Jamie Clarke, who have returned from their club exploits with Crossmaglen and improved the prospects of the county side immeasurably. Kernan rampaged forward from his half-back berth while Clarke’s incisive running and sublime kicking posed problems for the Cork rearguard.

The fly in the ointment for Armagh was the manner of their finish to the game. The game’s major flashpoint occurred when Cadogan was sent to the line in the 50th minute. As the Douglas man burst out of defence with the ball, Steven McDonnell tugged at him and Cadogan threw his arm back in an effort to break free. Referee Maurice Condon regarded it as a striking offence but Conor Counihan’s post-match comments indicated that Cork will be journeying down the appeal route in the next fortnight.

“In my mind he was coming out and was fouled and drew back maybe to break free. The referee has a snapshot in time to make up his mind on something like that. I think somebody needs to look at the video and make a definitive decision on it.”

The game turned on that decision but not in the way one might have envisaged. Armagh trailed 1-10 to 1-8 at the time and although they pegged Cork back to parity on two separate occasions, they never got their noses in front.

Cork reorganised with Aidan Walsh moving back to defence while Ciaran Sheehan came out to midfield. Patrick Kelly was drafted into the attack and all around the pitch they displayed an impressive work ethic. Cork were shrewd in their use of possession and produced a powerful closing kick as they reeled off 1-3 without reply in the last nine minutes.

“These fellas have proved in the past that they have great resilience”, remarked Counihan. “Once you dig in and battle you’re always in with a chance. It’s great to be in a league final against Dublin, that’s where you want to be. Dublin are the form team, they’re unbeaten and it’s a big ask.”

The clinching score was the second goal that arrived in the 67th minute and fittingly it was Donncha O’Connor that dispatched the ball to the net with a sweet left-foot finish. He only entered the action at half-time yet finished with 2-3 to his name. The scoring was the most notable facet of his display but his angles of running and ability to claim possession also troubled Armagh.

“He got some great scores and set up a few scores”, admitted Counihan. “It was pleasing. Himself and Paddy (Kelly) have been out for a while so it was good to see them coming back and making a contribution.”

Cork were grateful to O’Connor’s input as their first-half display had been below-par. They led at the break 0-7 to 0-6 but a long-range beauty from Aidan Walsh in the 36th minute was their only score of the half not registered by Daniel Goulding. The corner-forward gave Brendan Donaghy a torrid time as he claimed four points from play yet Cork’s approach play was frequently out of sync.

At the other end the threat of Clarke and McDonnell was visible from the off, and Cork needed a superb block by Michael Shields to deny McDonnell a goal in the 4th minute while Ken O’Halloran blocked bravely from Clarke in the 15th minute.

Cork got a nice fillip early in the second-half when they were awarded a penalty after O’Connor was hauled down by Paul Hearty and he dispatched the spot kick with aplomb. Within 60 seconds, Armagh had the ball in the net though with James Lavery and McDonnell combining to allow Kernan a simple finish. The Orchard men appeared ready to kick on when handed the personnel advantage but they failed to capitalise. Cork’s strength came to bear in the finale and Armagh’s woes were compounded when Kieran Toner saw the line for a second yellow card in injury-time.

Scorers for Cork: D O’Connor 2-3 (1-0 pen, 0-1f); D Goulding 0-7 (0-3f); A Walsh, C Sheehan 0-2 each; P Kerrigan 0-1.

Scorers for Armagh: A Kernan 1-2 (0-1f); S McDonnell (0-2f, 0-1 ‘45), J Clarke 0-4 each; BJ Padden, A Mallon 0-1 each.

Subs for Cork: D O’Connor for Lynch (half-time), P Kelly for O’Neill (56), J O’Sullivan for Carey (66), P O’Flynn for Kerrigan (70), D O’Sullivan for Walsh (72)

Subs for Armagh: T Kernan for Duffy (44), G Swift for O’Rourke (56), A Duffy for Mackin (60), D McKenna for Dyas (66), F Hanratty for Padden (70)

Referee: Maurice Condon (Waterford).