Cork 1-16
Down 1-12
A GAME OF huge consequence at the bottom of Division 2 resulted in Cork at last getting some positivity from their spring with a first win of the league, but Down’s struggles were confirmed as they have fallen through the relegation trapdoor.
The significance of this Páirc Uí Chaoimh clash was clear from the outset as two teams met, both chasing an opening success in this league campaign. The spoils went to the home team, grateful for a couple of important contributions in front of goal.
Steven Sherlock’s tally of 1-7 was invaluable for the winners with 1-2 of that total posted from open play. Cathal O’Mahony returned from injury to bolster their attack and hit three crucial points, while Colm O’Callaghan also notched a brace of scores in the second half.
Both teams had regrets over first-half goal chances. Anthony Doherty’s drive was well tipped away by Micheal Martin with Down missing the resultant ’45, while moments later Daniel Dineen stole inside the defensive cover for Cork but his left-foot blast went just the wrong side of the upright.
Cork did find the net in the 28th minute and it was of critical importance. John O’Rourke made the incision to pierce the Down rearguard and he fed Sherlock, who cleverly flicked the ball over goalkeeper Rory Burns to find the net. That advantage helped Cork go in front 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval and they never trailed in the second half or were dragged level.
However James McCartan did see his team pound the Cork defence repeatedly during that second half. Their aspirations were ignited in the 48th minute, a lovely finish to the net from Tiernan Rushe after a flowing Down move from deep when they turned over Sherlock as Cork attacked.
That left Down adrift 1-9 to 1-8, they were behind 1-12 to 1-11 in the 66th minute and down 1-14 to 1-12 in the 70th minute. Yet on each occasion when they approached Cork on the scoreboard during the second half, the home team found a way to embark on a vital scoring spree.
They kicked three on the spin after that Rushe goal, Sherlock with a brace, including one superb free from distance. There was also a telling scoring swing in injury-time, Ceilum Doherty’s effort striking the post when Down were in arrears by two and the ball gathered by Cork midfielder Ian Maguire. He launched a move that culminated in Colm O’Callaghan splitting the posts to send Cork three clear and Sherlock added the insurance score from play soon after.
Down had lively showings in attack from Andrew Gilmore and Pat Havern but could not move the scoreboard with regularity during the second half, despite attacking often and also causing Cork huge problems on their own kickout.
But the Rebels produced the goods when it was needed, a triumph that gives them a decent chance of staying up as they head towards a showdown in Tullamore with Offaly next Sunday.
Scorers for Cork: Steven Sherlock 1-7 (0-5f), Cathal O’Mahony 0-3, Colm O’Callaghan 0-2, Mattie Taylor 0-1, Daniel Dineen 0-1, John O’Rourke 0-1, Mark Cronin 0-1.
Scorers for Down: Tiarnan Rushe 1-0, Andrew Gilmore 0-3 (0-3f), Pat Havern 0-3, Darren O’Hagan 0-2, Ryan McEvoy 0-1, Ceilum Doherty 0-1, Ryan O’Higgins 0-1, Cory Quinn 0-1.
Cork
1. Míchéal Martin (Nemo Rangers)
2. Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers), 6. Kieran Histon (Nemo Rangers), 3. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
19. John Cooper (Éire Óg), 5. Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), 7. Mattie Taylor (Mallow)
8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), 12. Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg)
10. Daniel Dineen (Cill Na Martra), 23. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree), 14. John O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers)
13. Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarr’s), 25. Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown), 26. Brian Hurley (Castlehaven – captain)
Subs
18. Tommy Walsh (Kanturk) for Histon (inj) (5)
15. Blake Murphy (St Vincent’s) for Sherlock (temp sub) (39)
13. Sherlock for Murphy (half-time)
11. Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys) for Dineen (53)
24. Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers) for Hurley (59)
20. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for McSweeney (65)
21. Joe Grimes (Clonakilty) for O’Rourke (69)
Down
16. Rory Burns (Castlewellan)
2. Peter Fegan (Burren), 3. Finn McElroy (Longstone), 4. Gerard Collins (Downpatrick)
5. Darren O’Hagan (Clonduff), 6. Conor Poland (Longstone), 19. Ceilum Doherty (Kilcoo)
8. Anthony Doherty (Downpatrick), 9. Niall McParland (Glenn)
10. Anthony Morgan (Kilcoo), 11. Liam Kerr (Burren), 12. Ryan McEvoy (Kilcoo)
13. Andrew Gilmore (St John’s), 14. Pat Havern (Saval), 21. Cory Quinn (Mayobridge)
Subs
15. Kevin McKernan (Burren) for McParland (inj) (23)
25. Tiarnan Rushe (Baile Colmain) for Quinn (34)
16. Gary McMahon for Burns (inj) (39)
23. Ryan O’Higgins (Bryansford) for Morgan (57)
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)
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