Rebels stick to guns

Flattering was Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s description, and flattering was just about right.

Cork ended Saturday night’s hurling qualifier seven points to the good, but Offaly’s Shane Dooley had made it a four-point game with a goal from a 69th-minute free.

Not quite as nerve-wracking for home supporters as the closing moments of last year’s qualifier between the same teams, when Offaly’s goal narrowed the gap to one point in the last minute, but uncomfortable if you were in red and white. Uncomfortable that is until Cork rattled off three quick points before the final whistle.