Late surge sees Galway overcome Cork

Galway 3-17 Cork 2-13

Niall Healy took his opportunity to impress for a much-changed Galway side as they claimed top spot in Allianz NHL Division 1 by ending Cork's unbeaten run.

With Galway and Cork already through to the May 2 final, this was akin to a dress rehearsal for that upcoming Thurles decider and Healy took centre stage today with a 2-10 haul.

Healy and Luke O'Farrell traded goals as the Rebels took a 1-8 to 1-7 half-time lead in front of a small crowd at Pearse Stadium.

As Galway moved ahead, a 50th minute goal from Kieran Murphy closed the gap for Cork but a late 1-1 from substitute Damien Hayes saw the hosts win out.

Galway manager John McIntyre and Cork boss Denis Walsh tested the depth of their respective squads by making a plethora of personnel changes from their last games.

Cork seemed to adapt the better and opening points from Kieran Murphy, Fintan O'Leary and Willie Egan saw them canter into a 0-3 to 0-0 lead. O'Leary did well to get away from Galway's Cathal Dervan before shooting over, while midfielder Egan was picked out by a neat pass from Ben O'Connor.

O'Connor helped his twin brother Jerry and Egan hold a stranglehold on midfield for most of the first half, but the Galway forwards still profited from a consistent supply of ball.

Niall Healy stepped up to take a ninth minute penalty, after Niall Hayes had been fouled, and he drilled his effort over the crossbar for Galway's opening point.

Cian McCarthy moved Cork's tally to four before Hayes played in Healy for his first goal, a crisply-struck shot past Cork net minder Anthony Nash - levelling the tie at 1-1 to 0-4.

Cork responded immediately with a goal of their own. Ben O'Connor watched his long range shot come back off an upright and corner forward Luke O'Farrell was well placed to knock the loose ball to the net.

Healy quickly pointed at the other end, but successive scores from centre-forward Michael Cussen and Ben O'Connor (free) gave the Rebels some cushion at 1-6 to 1-2.

Galway had whittled that gap down to a single point by the half-time. The pre-match talk was that the sides might go easy as they prepare for the final in two weeks' time, but Galway showed their eagerness with closing points from Dervan, Healy and Niall Cahalane.

Aonghus Callanan and Niall Hayes landed points as Galway edged ahead at 1-9 to 1-8, beginning the second half in fine fettle. Galway pressed on and looked the better side, before Murphy smashed the ball to the net after a high delivery in towards the square.

Egan's second point of the afternoon pushed Walsh's charges into a 2-11 to 1-13 lead, but in an entertaining finish Galway had more in reserve. Healy's second goal moved the Tribesmen 2-15 to 2-12 clear before Hayes wrapped up the win with a late goal.