Glen Rovers end long wait for Cork title
A 48th minute David Cunningham goal powered Glen Rovers to a first Cork SHC title in 26-years this afternoon.
The seven-point win achieved glorious redemption for Richie Kelleher’s side who were hammered by 16-points by Sars in last year’s decider.
Outscoring their opponents by 0-5 to 0-3 in the first 15 minutes of the second-half to open up a 0-15 to 0-11 lead, the decisive score arrived when David Cunningham blasted to the net 12 minutes from home. The Glen Rovers half-forward delivered the perfect finish to a sweeping move involving Conor Dorris and David Busteed.
Cunningham and Cian McCarthy (free) traded points in the ensuing passages, Glen Rovers’ return to the summit of Cork hurling secured on 53 minutes - David Dooling racing through the heart of the opposition defence to smash home a second Glen Rovers major.
Cian McCarthy struck a late consolation major for Sars, their back-to-back title bid falling asunder after the change of ends.
Though level on six occasions in the first period, it was Glen Rovers who returned to the dressing-room much the happier; the Blackpool side ahead by 0-10 to 0-8.
Their full-back line were completely on top, with Brian Moylan and Graham Callanan similarly assertive across the ’45.
Half-forward Dean Brosnan clipped three first-half points, easily their outstanding forward of the opening thirty minute. Patrick Horgan flung over four frees, with David Cunningham, Conor Dorris and Callanan bringing their tally into double figures.
For Sars, their full-back line of Conor O’Sullivan, Craig Leahy and William Kearney didn’t put a foot wrong and while it was only in the last five minutes of the first-half that they allowed Glen Rovers build up a head of steam, they were let down by seven wides – Eoin O’Sullivan and Cian McCarthy most guilty.
Half-forward Gavin O’Loughlin was liveliest with three points, half-back Eanna Martin also chipping in with two massive scores early on.
Their failure to mount any semblance of challenge in the second period, ultimately, proved their downfall.
P Horgan (0-9, 0-7 frees); D Cunningham (1-2); D Brosnan (0-3); D Dooling (1-0); G Callanan, D Busteed, C Dorris (0-1 each).
C McCarthy (1-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65); G O’Loughlin (0-3); E Martin (0-2); R O’Driscoll, R Murphy (0-1 each).
A Kennedy; C O’Sullivan, C Leahy, W Kearney; D Roche, R Ryan, E Martin; D Kearney, E Quigley; R Murphy, C McCarthy, G O’Loughlin; E O’Sullivan, K Murphy, R O’Driscoll.
Subs: T Óg Murphy for R Murphy (34 mins), L Healy for K Murphy (44), C Duggan for O’Driscoll (52), P Leopold for Martin (53).
C Hickey; S McDonnell, B Murphy, D Dooling; G Callanan, B Moylan, G Moylan; D Cronin, D Noonan; D Brosnan, P Horgan, D Cunningham; C Dorris, B Phelan, D Busteed.
S Kennifick for Phelan (52), G Kennifick for Cunningham (55).
D Kirwan
