Cork v Galway player ratings: Mannion leads way as Hayes toils manfully for sinking Rebels
SCORE: Galway midfielder Gavin Lee celebrates a score for the Tribe. Pic: James Lawlor, Inpho.
Solid and composed, reflected in completing 75% of his puckouts compared to his opposite number’s 68. Could barely be expected to see let alone save Alan Walsh’s bullet but would get to show his goal-stopping credentials with a fine 63rd-minute save from Shane Barrett.
Was targeted – because Brian Hayes was the target for every Cork first-half delivery. He might have coped as he has so often if he was not restricted by a knee injury but after Hayes’s fourth point from play had to be moved out the field where he’d receive and distribute ball with his customary excellence.
Could hardly be faulted for Alan Walsh’s turn and strike. Hardly put a foot wrong then when switched onto Hayes shortly thereafter, as helped as he was by his halfback line sweeping and doubling up.
Totally bettered Alan Connolly, repeatedly bursting out with the ball.
Immense. Gave an exhibition of defensive play, from how he repeatedly swept up ball to how he stood his ground to force Eoin Downey into overcarrying the ball when a Cork point seemed inevitable. Brilliant in possession too, spraying ball into Rabbitte and scoring a point of his own. Cork hadn’t – and haven’t – a leader like him.
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Another leader – he’s this year’s captain actually – at the back who repeatedly burst out with ball while managing to score a point himself.
Colossal all through, scoring three monstrous points from range and providing a couple of assists for others while never neglecting his defensive duties, ensuring Galway constantly enjoyed a two-v-one advantage when Cork bombed ball into their full forwards.
Knocked over a tidy first-half point but it was his link-up play and workrate around the middle that contributed most to this victory.
The standout midfielder on view, extinguishing a second-quarter period of dominance of Darragh Fitzgibbon’s. Personified both Galway’s flair and fight, bombing over two points from play while relentlessly emerging with the ball and forcing Cork backwards.
You could say he was relatively quiet – only he produced the biggest bang of the day, setting the tone by brilliantly running off Conor Whelan to receive that pop pass and blast past Collins just seven minutes in.
Again played deep to break up Cork’s attack and then launch Galway’s – a defensive linesman and quarterback all in one. His own shot-taking wasn’t the best – three shots would finish either wide or short – but he’d still finish with two points and even more direct or hockey assists.
Excellent, even if he didn’t get on much ball between his two first-half points that bookended that half. Upon the resumption he would score another two points from range while remaining in the game all through, epitomised by forcing Robbie O’Flynn to turn the ball over to sniff out any whiff of a Cork comeback.
It didn’t always flow for him; was twice blocked down and had a bad wide just before halftime. But his head or workrate never dropped, personified by how he pressurised Cork into turning the ball over which led to Pádraic Mannion’s critical go-ahead point on the 40th minute. And he still finished on three points as well as providing the assist for Neary’s early goal.
In the second half Galway would do most of their damage out the field but the platform for them remaining in the game and ultimately winning the game was the outlet and threat Rabbitte was in the first half. By then he had registered two, two, two and two – two points off his own, two assists, two frees won, and two yellow cards of the Cork fullback line. Was used more sparingly in the second half but still caused mayhem, picking off a lovely point of his own and laying off a few assists to colleagues.
Galway’s quietest performer on the day, going just three for five on frees and failing to get a shot off from play before being subbed off 12 minutes into the second half.
Really drove Galway’s dominance on. Outscored the Cork bench 1-2 to 0-2, with Conor Cooney’s goal reminiscent of John McGrath’s second and Tipperary’s third in last year’s All-Ireland final, compounding Cork’s misery and sense of déjà vu.
Galway’s structured defence meant puck-out targets in the opposition half were limited. Cork were destroyed on long restarts when he did drill it but that couldn’t be pinned on Collins. Made one excellent save and the two goals were close in. .
Super first half hounding Conor Whelan relentlessly and managing two assists in the process. Was one of Cork’s best performers in a nightmare second half too, though he did cough up the sliotar for the late goal.
U20 sensation Rabbitte caused him endless problems, clipping two points and getting fouled for three frees, the last of which earned Cahalane a yellow. Replaced by Cormac O’Brien at half-time. On the bigger pitch it showed what a loss Ciarán Joyce is.
Man-marked Aaron Niland, who was replaced scoreless from play. Couldn’t be faulted.
Had his hands full in the first half on the dangerous Tom Monaghan. Had to go full-back for the second half with Cahalane on a yellow and fared alright on Rabbitte before getting injured.
In a free role with Galway using five forwards and Cathal Mannion as the sweeper. Cork needed to dictate the tempo in that deployment but couldn’t burst through the maroon wall.
Quiet first quarter by his high standards but heavily involved with Cork’s push midway through the opening half. Battled to the bitter end even when the cause was lost and the most impactful of the half-back line.
Holding role at midfield, the same as he’s done all year. Didn’t have the same impact as in Munster following his return from injury with Galway firmly on top and snapping about any puck-outs that went to the deck. 5.
Another coming off an injury, he wasn’t as dynamic as other games. Cork needed a platform from there when they were being beaten in the air. Didn't look fully fit really.
Had been one of the few Cork forwards to do well in the Munster final but, despite plenty of running, he never came close to cutting loose.
Full of movement from sideline to sideline. Arrowed over Cork’s first point from an acute angle and grabbed another could score in the second period. Chased goals late on and forced Darach Fahy into a save. By far the best of the half-forwards.
Wearing 10 but operating very deep against Galway’s swarm defence. Grabbed two first-half points and had two assists. Was well marshalled in the second half and while he was unlucky with a mistimed hook for this second yellow, it was game over Cork when he was dismissed. .
Alan Walsh: Wasn’t a first-half target for many deliveries ball with Brian Hayes lighting it up but drilled in a sensational goal. Couldn’t be blamed as he's a rookie but starting him didn’t pay off. 6.
Snapped up a first-half point to go with his frees on minimal ball but couldn’t make anything stick at all in the second period before coming off.
Completely unmarkable in the first half, even with a sweeper in front of him, firing 0-6 from play and being fouled for a free. Daithí Burke struggled with his movement so Cillian Trayers switched over. Added another second-half point and was hauled down for a free but with the rest of the attack completely neutered, he could only do so much.
Came in a wing-back in the second half but missed a chance and couldn’t get to the pitch of the game.
: Brought in at midfield but ended up going into the forwards. Grabbed a bit of ball when few others could but had a couple of wides.
Flew into action with a point on his introduction but Fitzgibbon’s red card meant he had to come way too far out to do damage from there.
Didn’t manage to get any clean ball in his 20-minute run.
Late on for the injured Eoin Downey, won a few 50-50 high balls from Rabbitte to his credit.
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