Cork strike late to overcome Offaly

Cork 3-11 Offaly 1-15

Division 1A leaders Cork maintained their unbeaten run at a wind-beaten Pairc Ui Chaoimh, scoring three second half goals through name sakes, Kieran Murphy of Sarsfield (2) and Erin’s Own half-forward Kieran Murphy in a 3-11 to 1-15 win over Offaly.

They did not have it their own way in the first half as Brian Carroll notched three early scores (0-2f) and Rory Hanniffy four points as the Faithfuls raced into a 0-7 to 0-2 lead, with two Jonathan O’Callaghan frees Cork’s only replies for the opening 20 minutes.

The visitors took a commanding 0-12 to 0-3 lead into the break, but suffered a double blow as first Kieran Murphy of Erin’s Own netted on 37 minutes from 15 metres, and his name sake struck for his first from close range in the 43rd minute as Cork staged a dramatic fight back.

Both Gary and Rory Hanniffy stuck with the Cork revival, pointing five points between them, with the scores as 0-15 to 2-6 in Offaly’s favour nearing the final fifteen minutes.

Centre forward Joe Brady slammed home a short drive past Donal Og Cusack to stretch that lead but the Rebels failed to die an easy death.

Further points from O’Callaghan (0-6 (5f) in total) and a great solo effort from substitute Joe Deane put just a point between the sides on the 70-minute mark.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Deane fed the elusive Sarsfield runner Murphy and he had the presence to evade his marker and finish to the net for the late winner.