Cork play out thrilling draw with Armagh to finish fourth overall
Luke Fahy of Cork is tackled by Rian O'Neill and Ben Crealey of Armagh at SuperValu Páirc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
What was with all the worry? After three defeats in a row prompted live fears of relegation, Cork have closed out their Allianz League campaign with a thrilling draw against Armagh to finish fourth in Division 2.
At SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, John Cleary’s side produced a superb second half having trailed by a goal after 35 minutes. With 75 minutes played, they had a final chance to snatch a winner. A spirited effort came up just short.
The difference at half-time was a Peter McGrane goal that stemmed from a gorgeous Rory Grugan kick pass inside, included a deflected Oisin Conaty shot and ended with a punch to the net. Armagh mustered 1-9 from ten shots in the opening half despite playing into the teeth of a cruel wind.
They deployed the fly goalkeeper tactic for better and for worse. Blaine Hughes assisted Conor Turbitt for their second point and was almost caught out just before half-time but Chris Óg Jones’ effort just crept over. An Ian Maguire turnover instigated a mad scramble and had Hughes sprinting desperately towards his goal.
Cork’s start was solid. Paul Walsh notched a mark. Colm O’Callaghan rattled off a quickfire double with a handpassed point and superb strike moments later. They conceded Hughes’ kickout for the majority of the opening period. However, at one point after Sean Powter earned a free for Brian Hurley to convert, the did press and the restart went out over the sideline.
Óg Jones goal chance came as the clock ticked past 35 minutes, but Ben Crealey had time to respond and make it 1-9 to 0-9 at the break.
A driving Brian O’Driscoll run immediately drew a simple free to cut the margin. Armagh responded by stretching their lead to four until they were caught with a sucker punch. O’Driscoll clipped a point, Cork turned over the subsequent short kickout, Óg Jones collected from Conor Corbett and rifled a shot into the top corner. A Hurley point soon after saw the home side hit the front with 48 minutes played.
McGeeney was then shown a yellow card by referee Brendan Griffin during a prolonged stoppage as Steffan Campbell received treatment. Turbitt tapped over the resulting free to leave it level as the contest entered the final quarter.
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Cork’s second goal was another high turnover and quick break. This time it was Óg Jones with the textbook strip and Luke Fahy beat Hughes low. Grugan ensured a dramatic finale to a terrific match when he punched in a rebounded effort Micheál Aodh Martin could not gather.
Corbett pointed before Aidan Nugent and Conaty scored successive points to make it 2-16 apiece. With five minutes of added time up, Stephen Sherlock had one ultimate opportunity to land a winner, but his last-gasp strike tailed wide.
Chris Óg Jones 1-3, Luke Fahy 1-0, Brian Hurley 0-4 (3 frees), Colm O’Callaghan 0-3, Paul Walsh 0-1 mark, Maurice Shanley, Ian Maguire, Brian O’Driscoll, Matty Taylor, Conor Corbett 0-1 each.
: Peter McGrane 1-0, Rory Grugan 1-3 (3 free), Conor Turbitt 0-5 (2 free), Oisin Conaty 0-4, Ben Crealey 0-2 (1 mark), J Og Burns, Aidan Nugent 0-1 each.
: M Martin; M Shanley, D O’Mahony, T Walsh; L Fahy, S Meehan, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, S Powter, B O’Driscoll; C Óg Jones, C Corbett, B Hurley.
Subs: K O’Hanlon for Walsh (49), S Sherlock for Hurley (56), E McSweeney for O’Hanlon (64 – Inj), M Cronin for Powter (67), K Flahive for Walsh (70).
: B Hughes; P Burns, A McKay, B McCambridge; J McElory, G McCabe, P McGrane; C Mackin, B Crealey; T Kelly, R Grugan, J Duffy; R O’Neill, J Duffy, O Conaty.
Subs: J Og Burns for Mackin (22), A Nugent for Duffy, R McQuillan for McElroy (both half-time), S Campbell for O’Neill (49), O O’Neill for McCambridge (70).
: B Griffin (Kerry)
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