Cork struggle past Down

Down 2-5 Cork 1-10, Ballygalget

Cork almost came a cropper at weather-hit Ballygalget this afternoon as two-goal Down looked on course to pull off the shock of the hurling season.

Goals in either half from Paddy Coulter and Gareth Johnson handed the Mourne men a surprise 2-5 to 0-6 lead against Gerald McCarthy's off-colour troops.

Substitutes Eoin Murphy and Cathal Naughton played key roles in the 2005 All-Ireland champions' comeback - Murphy, who made his league debut last month against Offaly, rammed home a 52nd-minute goal and Naughton popped up with the insurance point, a minute from time, as Cork took the spoils in wintry conditions.

A snow storm forced referee Jim O'Rourke to call a temporary halt to the game with 10 minutes left in the first half. By that stage, Down were 1-4 to 0-4 to the good with Coulter raising the green flag with a clever finish past Cork keeper Anthony Nash.

When the teams returned, Cork managed to win a penalty only for Kieran Murphy to see his effort saved on the line by Down's inspirational centre-back Stephen Murray.

The hosts, who hit six first half wides, led 1-5 to 0-5 when they went in at the interval and despite the inconsistent weather, Down's bright outlook continued on the resumption when Johnson netted in the 42nd minute.

Johnson doubled on a '65' delivery from Brendan McGourty to rifle his shot beyond the grasp of Nash and Cork were staring at a galling defeat.

But Erin's Own youngster Murphy succeeded in finding the net with his first touch and points from skipper Kieran Murphy and Joe Deane (two frees) saw Cork suddenly hit the front.

They held on to take the win, with Naughton's point the clinching one, but McCarthy knows full well his players will have to raise their game for next weekend when they entertain a buoyant Wexford side.