Rebels tested against Offaly

Cork 1-26 Offaly 2-16

It was anything but comfortable for Cork as progressed to Phase 3 of the All-Ireland Hurling Qualifiers at Offaly’s expense at Páirc Uí Chaoimh this evening.

Only two points separated the sides with nine minutes remaining, but the Rebels pulled clear as points from Daniel Kearney, Conor Lehane, sub Stephen Moylan and captain Patrick Horgan gave them a seven-point cushion.

A goaled free from Offaly’s Shane Dooley, which went in off Shane O’Neill’s stick, made things nervy, but a late 65 from Cian McCarthy and points by Moylan and Cathal Naughton ensured Cork would advance to tomorrow’s draw.

It took Cork a while to get going, however, as Offaly made the running for a lot of the first half and indeed the Faithful County led by four points, 1-7 to 0-6, after Dooley converted a 65 in the 19th minute.

A two-man full-forward line of Dooley and Joe Bergin, with Brian Carroll playing a more withdrawn role, was reaping benefits for the visitors as Cork laboured somewhat, struggling to engineer chances of as good a quality.

Colin Egan’s goal in the 11th minute, when he poked home his second attempt following an Anthony Nash save after a lovely Conor Mahon touch to him, made it 1-2 to 0-2 and good long-range efforts from Brendan Murphy, Derek Morkan (two) and Seán Ryan helped them to stay in front of their hosts.

When Cork needed leadership, however, they found it in Horgan, stand-in captain in the absence of Dónal Óg Cusack.

He was the Rebels’ only scorer between the 13th and 27th minutes, registering 1-5 in that time to help effect a turnaround as they moved 1-9 to 1-7 ahead.

The goal came on 19 to reduce the deficit to a point, Horgan profiting from good work by Pa Cronin and Paudie O’Sullivan.

When industrious midfielder Lorcán McLoughlin pointed just before the half-hour they had a three-point cushion, their biggest of the game up until then, and while a good Bergin point from a tight angle left it 1-12 to 1-10 at half-time, Cork were still strong favourites at the break.

Yet, six minutes into the second half and Offaly were back in front as three unanswered points, two from Dooley and one by Bergin making it 1-13 to 1-12, and while Lehane’s first score of the game tied matters again, it was clear that Cork would not have it all their one way.

They got a great chance when sub Luke O’Farrell was fouled in the large rectangle after he won a Cian McCarthy sideline, but Horgan’s penalty was kept out by Offaly captain David Kenny, though McCarthy sent over the resultant 65.

The momentum had returned to the home side now and a second huge free from goalkeeper Nash, a good Lehane score and two more from McCarthy, a free and a 65, left them relatively comfortable at 1-18 to 1-13.

But still Offaly would not wilt, and they showed they were still in contention as Bergin was only denied a second goal by a good Nash save, but points from sub Derek Molloy, Conor Mahon and Dooley had just two in it with nine minutes left. Cork prevailed, but not without a fight.

CORK: A Nash (0-2f); C O’Sullivan, S O’Neill, B Murphy; T Kenny, C Joyce, W Egan; D Sweetnam, L McLoughlin (0-1); P Cronin (0-1), C McCarthy (0-5, 0-3 65, 0-1f), C Lehane (0-3); J Coughlan, P O’Sullivan, P Horgan (1-10, 0-7f).

Subs: D Kearney (0-1) for Sweetnam (41), L O’Farrell for Coughlan (43), C Naughton (0-1) for McLoughlin (54), S Moylan (0-2) for P O’Sullivan (64), N McCarthy for Cronin (69).

OFFALY: E Kelly; J Rigney, D Kenny, C Hernon; D Morkan (0-2), R Hanniffy, D Horan; K Brady, S Ryan (0-1); C Egan (1-0), C Mahon (0-1), B Murphy (0-1); S Dooley (1-6, 1-3f, 0-1 65), J Bergin (0-3), B Carroll (0-1).

Subs: D Franks for Hernon (23), C Parlon for Carroll (49), D Molloy (0-1) for Murphy (57), D Mooney for Brady (62), T Carroll for Egan (66).

Referee: M Wadding (Waterford).