Tyrone too good for dogged Cork as they book place in All-Ireland MFC semi-final

Tyrone got off to a flying start to create a cushion that Cork could not claw back.

Sat, 07 Jun, 2025 - 15:29

John O’Dowd, Portlaoise

All-Ireland MFC quarter-final: Cork: 1-12 (1-1-10) Tyrone: 1-21 (1-2-17)

A blistering Tyrone first quarter display gave the Red Hand county enough of a cushion to confidently see off a dogged Cork fightback in an entertaining Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at O’Moore Park in Portlaoise.

Sprinting out of the starting blocks, with the Rebels not knowing what had hit them, the Ulster champions were absolutely ruthless in the opening exchanges, building up an eight-point lead, 1-6 to 0-1, by the eleventh minute.

The goal arrived as early as the fourth minute, with Cork goalkeeper Rory Twohig making a fine save to deny impressive Tyrone wing-back Thomas Meenan after he was put through by Joel Kerr, but Cathal Farley was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range.

Entering the last ten minutes of the half, the gap was out to nine (1-9 to 0-3), and Keith Ricken’s men were in serious danger of being submerged under the tide. However, belatedly raising their intensity levels, they surged back into proceedings.

Full-forward Ben Corkery Delaney was the undoubted catalyst for Cork’s second quarter revival, firing over two points, before blasting home a brilliant goal in the 24th minute, after being fed by Donagh Flynn. The deficit was now three points, 1-9 to 1-6, but that was as close as it would get.

By the interval, with excellent centre-forward Peter Colton, full-forward Eoin Long, and wing-backs Meenan and Aodhán Quinn all making their presences felt, Tyrone ended up six points to the good, 1-13 to 1-7, heading into the second half.

Corkery Delaney continued his tour-de-force on the changeover, launching over a two-pointer and, as Tyrone lost their bearings for a spell, Flynn’s 42nd minute point had Cork within four of their opponents, 1-15 to 1-11, and well in contention to attack the last quarter.

However, as is the sign of a well-drilled outfit full of self-belief, Tyrone quickly regained their composure, and their scoring touch, kicking six of the game’s last seven points, to power on to the semi-finals with more than a bit to spare. They won’t be easily stopped now.

Scorers for Tyrone: E Long (0-6, 0-3fs), C Farley (1-2), P Colton (0-5,1tp), J Mulgrew (tp), T Meenan, J Kerr (0-1 ’45, 0-1f) (0-2 each), A Quinn, P McDonald (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: B Corkery Delaney (1-4, 1tp), E Maguire (0-4, 0-3fs), J Byerley(f), L O’Mahony, D McCarthy, D Flynn (0-1 each).

TYRONE: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn, J Daly, T Meenan; J Mulgrew, P Donaghy; D McAnespie, P Colton, C Farley; J Kerr, E Long, M Kennedy.

Subs: V Gormley for Kennedy (43), M Mullin for E Kerr (47), M Daly for McAnespie (51), P McDonald for J Kerr (55), H Patton for Farley (58).

CORK: R Twohig; B Coffey, A Keane, M Kiernan; J Miskella, C McCarthy, B Cronin; S Kelleher Leavy, R Hayes; L O’Mahony, D Flynn, S Long; J Byerley, B Corkery Delaney, E Maguire.

Subs: J Hanrahan for Kelleher Leavy (22), E Collins for Long (30), D McCarthy for Byerley (35), T Whooley for O’Mahony (41), J O’Leary for Miskella (52).

Referee: C Ryan (Galway).