Late Shanley goal secures Cork first victory of League campaign

It was Cork’s bench that turned the tie in Ederney with Deane, Sherlock and Powter also making an impact

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024 - 17:55

Maurice Brosnan

Allianz FL Division 2: Fermanagh 0-16 Cork 1-14.

In the first minute of a thriller at St Joseph’s Park Ederney, Garvan Jones put Fermanagh ahead. 70 minutes later, Maurice Shanley punched a goal to give Cork the lead for the first time in the encounter.

They held on to secure a crucial opening Allianz League victory.

It was Cork’s bench that turned the tie.

Shanley was introduced for the final quarter and his goal came after a typical powerful sprint by substitute Ruairi Deane. Stephen Sherlock came on and caught a dramatic mark. Sean Powter was lively as usual.

John Cleary made several late changes before throw-in with goalkeeper Christopher Kelly, Kevin Flahive, Darragh Cashman and Conor Corbett all coming in. Cork started slowly, taking 20 minutes to muster a score from play through a long-range Brian Hurley effort.

Fermanagh made the most of that period and raced into a three-point lead. The terrific Sean Cassidy kicked it off with two points in the opening quarter. Sean McNally kicked a 45 after a big Christopher Kelly save.

Wing-backs Declan McCusker and Josh Largo Ellis made the most of the space afforded to them and it was the latter’s driving run that sent Shane McGullion away only for his smashed effort to be palmed away. In the opening half hour, full-forward Jones notched three points from four shots. He finished the afternoon with seven points from eight.

Cork couldn’t get to grips with Fermanagh’s press and won just one from five long kickouts in the first half. Some home side wastefulness, three short attempts and two wides, combined with a Conor Corbett mark gradually clawed them back into the tie.

Ian Maguire had a goal chance of his own but was unable to beat the outrushing McNally. Corbett clipped a beauty from the sideline before the whistle to leave it 0-8 to 0-6 at the turnaround.

Luke Fahy and Ruairi Deane were introduced for the second half in place of Cashman and Mark Cronin. They quickly drew level with a Hurley free and Chris Og Jones point.

McCusker delighted the home crowd in his own club’s venue with an inspirational score.

The margin was at three as the clock ticked down, but Cork came strong with Taylor and Sherlock scoring. That spell was littered with numerous butchered goal chances, Rory Maguire coming closest as he smashed the crossbar.

Shanley’s goal spun the game.

Fermanagh, who lost their number one to a leg injury, fired consecutive points in a desperate quest for a draw. They couldn’t attain it.

Scorers for Fermanagh: Garvan Jones 0-7 (3 free), Declan McCusker 0-3 (1 mark), Sean Cassidy 0-2, Shane McGullion 0-2, Declan Sean McNally 0-1 (45), Ultan Kelm 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-8 (7 frees), Maurice Shanley 1-0, Conor Corbett 0-2 (1 mark, 1 sideline), Stephen Sherlock 0-1 mark, Chris Og Jones, Matty Taylor, Ian Maguire 0-1.

Fermanagh: S McNally; L Cullen, C Cullen, O Smyth; D McCusker, S McGullion, J Ellis; B Haron, J McDade; C McGee, R McCaffrey, C McShea; U Kelm, G Jones, S Cassidy.

Subs: R Bogue for McNally inj (50), D King for Cassidy (65), C Jones for McGee (67), M McMahon for McCusker (70), J Reihill for Kelm (70).

Cork: C Kelly; D Cashman, D O’Mahony, T Walsh; K Flahive, R Maguire, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; E McSweeney, M Cronin, B O’Driscoll; C Jones, B Hurley, C Corbett.

Subs: L Fahy for Cashman, R Deane for Cronin (half-time), S Powter for McSweeney (50), M Shanley for Walsh (57), S Sherlock for Jones (62).

Referee: A Nolan (Wicklow).