Cork footballers win closed-doors clash

A closed doors challenge match between the Down and Cork senior footballers caused consternation yesterday for both officials, supporters and players at Pairc Esler in Newry.

Disappointed Down supporters turned up for the match, which had an 11.45am start, but were told that they would not be allowed see the game as both teams requested a closed doors encounter.

This had a knock-on effect for the hurlers of Armagh and London, whose Ulster senior hurling championship quarter-final failed to take place at the initially announced time of 2pm.

The game was re-fixed following the agreement of both counties and Ulster Council official Martin McAviney for 2.30pm and eventually started at 2.38pm.

Both teams had to wait until Cork and Down vacated the dressing rooms after the medical staff for both sides had taken over the third and fourth dressing rooms.

The Armagh squad had arrived at 12.30pm, an hour-and-a-half before the original throw-in time, and understandably Armagh manager Mattie Lennon was frustrated with the delay.

The Ulster Council apologised at the game for the delay to proceedings.

An announcer said: "The Ulster Council would like to apologise for the delay to this game. This is due to circumstances beyond our control."

Goals in either half from Fintan Goold and Nicholas Murphy ensured Cork's long journey to Newry ended fruitfully as they claimed a 2-15 to 1-15 win.

In a game played behind closed doors at the request of Cork manager Conor Counihan and Down boss Ross Carr, the Rebels dominated for the most part but Down did notch 1-4 without reply in a ten-minute spell before referee Jimmy McKee's full-time whistle.

It was Cork's second game played 'in camera' in the space of three days after the Rebels took on Louth in the Wee county on Thursday night.

The gates at Pairc Esler were eventually opened at 12.50pm by the Ulster Council as the second half of the game began.

Cork led by 2-15 to 0-11 with 15 minutes remaining thanks to a superb goal from midfielder Murphy after he was put through by Donnacha O'Connor.

Incredibly, this was the Rebels' final score of the contest as substitute Paul McComiskey helped launch a Down comeback with a superb goal two minutes from the end.

The Queen's University student quickly added a fisted point to cut the gap to five points.

Although Liam Doyle added his fourth point of the contest and Benny Coulter grabbed a late score from play, time ran out for the hosts as Cork held on for a morale-boosting win.