Cork hurlers see off tough challenge to relegate Galway

Galway 0-25 Cork 2-22

By Michael Moynihan, Pearse Stadium.

There was victory and Division 1A status for Cork in this relegation play-off in Pearse Stadium Galway.

After 10 minutes of very loose play Cork were 0-9 to 0-4 ahead, Conor Lehane and Cormac Murphy prominent for the visitors. Both sides had had goal chances, Jason Flynn for Galway and Patrick Horgan for the visitors, but both 'keepers reacted smartly and saved.

Ten minutes later Cork were still five ahead by 0-13 to 0-8 but Galway were coming into the game, with Joe Canning playing deep and orchestrating the play with the aid of the wind. A succession of Galway frees cut the visitors' lead to one by the 30th minute, with Cork struggling to win their own puck-outs. By half-time Cork were still one ahead, 0-14 to 0-13.

Galway took the lead for the first time 10 minutes into the second half - from a Canning free, inevitably. Neither side increased the tempo, and neither were able to establish a commanding lead, though Galway were nudging ahead as the clock approached the three-quarter stage, aided by Canning's accuracy from dead balls - three up with thirteen minutes left.

An Anthony Nash free was fielded, though, with 10 minutes left by Seamus Harnedy, who beat James Skehill for a goal Galway would be disappointed with. A superb Lehane point after that and Cork were in the lead.

Another long Nash free broke to Patrick Hoegan with three minutes left and the Glenman goaled - Cork four up with time running out.

Scorers for Galway: J. Canning (0-1 65, 0-1 sideline) 0-13; N. Burke, C. Mannion 0-3 each; D. Burke, I. Tannian, A. Smith, C. Whelan, A. Harte, P. Brehony 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: P. Horgan (0-3 frees) 1-7; C. Lehane 0-6; S. Harnedy 1-0; A. Cadogan 0-3; D. Kearney, B. Lawton 0-2 each; W. Egan, B. Cooper 0-1 each.

GALWAY: J. Skehill, P. Hoban, J. Hanbury, A. Tuohy, D. Collins, D. Burke ( c), A. Harte, D. Glennon, P. Brehony, N. Burke, J. Canning, A. Smith, C. Mannion, C. Whelan, J. Flynn.

Subs: I Tannian for Harte (blood, 17-20); I Tannian for Harte, 28; K. Hussey for Hoban, 35; C. Donnellan for Flynn, 61.

CORK: A. Nash, S. McDonnell ( c), D. Cahalane, C. O'Sullivan, C. Murphy, C. Joyce, L. McLoughlin, W. Egan, D. Kearney, B. Lawton, C. Lehane, B. Cooper, A. Cadogan, S. Harnedy, P. Horgan.

Subs: J. Cronin for Cadogan, 57; W. Leahy for Lawton, 65; K. Burke for Kearney, 70.

Referee: J. McGrath (Westmeath).