Cork 0-26
Dublin 0-21
IT BECAME NERVY at the finish for Cork as Dublin peppered their goalmouth with deliveries and fired shots towards the net where Patrick Collins stood.
They kept a clean sheet though and withstood that late blast of Dublin pressure to book their All-Ireland hurling semi-final place, a return to the last four for the first time since 2021.
It wasn’t a sparkling showing by Cork in an encounter that was distinctly lacklustre, but they achieved the outcome they desired as Dublin’s campaign ended at the quarter-final stage for the second season on the bounce.
Cork were ahead 0-15 to 0-10 at the interval, profiting from the strong grip they gained on proceedings as the half wore on. From the 15th minute on, they outscored Dublin 0-10 to 0-4.
Their half-forward line trio of Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett and Seamus Harnedy were all prominent in that regard, while Patrick Horgan looked menacing inside, twice coming close to goal before the Dublin defence scrambled effectively to crowd him out.
Conor Burke (0-3) shone at midfield for Dublin, while Seán Currie looked lively inside, but in general Cork handled their offensive threats in that opening period. Donal Burke’s usual accuracy from frees deserted him in that phase as he chalked up three first-half wides from placed balls.
Dublin needed a fast start to the second half but instead Cork emerged and rattled off four points without reply. Declan Dalton was particularly prominent in the third quarter, and by the 45th minute Cork were in command as they went ahead 0-20 to 0-11. The match drifted along from there, struggling to ignite much response from 30,509 attendance.
Robbie O’Flynn was sprung from the bench and impressed with a pair of sweetly-struck points, Chris Crummey thundered forward for Dublin in an attempt to lift his team with a series of accurate shots on goal.
Patrick Horgan’s free-taking ensured Cork kept the scoreboard ticking over, his tenth of the day brought him level with TJ Reid in the all-time top hurling scorer championship chart as he reached the 699 figure.
That 66th minute score was Cork’s last of the day, they nearly found the net through a rocket of a shot from Dalton moments later, but Seán Brennan’s reaction was terrific to tip away a ball destined for the top corner.
At the opposite end Dublin kept pushing until the final whistle. Sean Currie, Paddy Doyle and Donal Burke all raised the white flags that ensured they chipped away at the deficit. Goals were required to fashion a stunning comeback – Ronan Hayes blasted one shot wide under pressure, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing and Burke were denied on another occasions by Collins.
Cork’s defence held firm, the outcome that appeared on the cards all day was the one that materialised.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (0-7f), Declan Dalton 0-6 (0-3f), Seamus Harnedy 0-2, Shane Barrett 0-2, Darragh Fitzgibbon 0-2, Robbie O’Flynn 0-2, Luke Meade 0-1, Brian Hayes 0-1.
Scorers for Dublin: Seán Currie 0-7 (0-4f), Conor Burke 0-4, Chris Crummey 0-3, Donal Burke 0-3 (0-1f), Brian Hayes 0-2, Paddy Doyle 0-1, Darragh Power 0-1.
Cork
1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)
2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra – captain)
5. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 8. Ciaran Joyce (Castlemartyr), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)
20. Luke Meade (Newcestown), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)
10. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neills), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Seamus Harnedy (St Ita’s)
13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)
Subs
- 21. Shane Kingston (Douglas) for Harnedy (48)
- 19. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Meade (48)
- 18. Ger Millerck (Fr O’Neills) for Fitzgibbon (59)
- 22. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own) for Hayes (61)
- 26. Conor Lehane (Midleton) for Connolly (67)
Dublin
1. Seán Brennan (Cuala)
4. Paddy Smyth (Clontarf – captain), 3. Eoghan O’Donnell (Whitehall Colmcille) 2. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields)
5. Chris Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields), 6. Conor Donohoe (Erin’s Isle), 18. Daire Gray (Whitehall Colmcille)
21. Mark Grogan (Kilmacud Crokes), 9. Conor Burke (St. Vincent’s);
8. Brian Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes), 11. Donal Burke (Na Fianna), 20. Darragh Power (Fingallians)
10. Danny Sutcliffe (St Jude’s), 12. Seán Currie (Na Fianna), 24. Paul Crummey (Lucan Sarsfields)
Subs
- 15. Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes) for Paul Crummey (temporary) (43)
- 7. Paddy Doyle (Naomh Barróg) for Gray (47)
- 22. Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing (Commercials) for Grogan (53)
- 17. James Madden (Ballyboden St-Enda’s) for Donohoe (59)
- 13. Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes) for Brian Hayes (63)
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary)
Cork will need to improve a lot if they have any chance v limerick on another note if clare and limerick meet in the final has their every being 3 games between same team in an all ireland year
@Square: Not sure if Galway and kk played in a Leinster final replayand later in an All Ireland final in the same year. Open to correction.
@Ray Ridge: im not sure as well but 3 times in a year has it being done im not sure but hopefully cork win
@Square: it will be Kilkenny if Wexford win
@Square: Kilkenny and Galway in 2012, Leinster final and then twice in the All Ireland Final and Cork and Clare in 2013, Munster semi final and twice in the All Ireland final.
@Jack Dooley: nice one
@Jack Dooley: after replys right
No.10 for Dublin should have got a straight red. Those two umpires were staring straight at him like amadáns
@Lulu: for what flicking his arm backwards? Barely made any contact, not soccer they’re playing
@Jack Dooley: no for hitting Coleman in the face with the Hurley, that part.
@Johnny Knox: if he hit him in the face it was a harmless hit, minimal contact and he didn’t mean to hit him with the hurl he was just trying to get Coleman off him because Coleman was pushing him. Game is in a bad place if we’re giving red cards for things like that
@Jack Dooley: striking with Hurley is an automatic red card, never mind he hit him on the head. Anyone who defends that doesn’t understand hurling.
@Jack Dooley: you are everything wrong with ditch hurlers. Go have a lie down
Cork deserved in over the grand scheme of things and fair play to them but I think the Dubs will be sickened they didn’t give it more of a rattle. With a wide total at 16 and even Cork’s at 13 it’s fairly telling both sides were a bit off the pace. A physical game and good the ref let it flow at times, but the persistent professional fouling is becoming a problem. Obviously Cork had a comfortable lead so you can understand why, but they constantly hauled Dublin attackers to ground the minute they got a chance to turn and run. If Sutcliffe did strike an opponent its unacceptable but it was a provoked reaction without doubt… shoving and dragging men all game. Regardless, congrats to Cork they did enough and the better side advanced.
@Ultán Corcoran: . It was a poor game Ultán.
@Ultán Corcoran: 2 teams at that dragging fellas down. Anytime Alan Connolly got turned towards goal, he was hauled down.
There is going to be some build up to the Lmk-Cork game only for it to result in Limerick pasting Cork.
Cork was always going to win this. I expect the next game to be much closer. Any team with Lee chin and Conor Mcdonald in it has a chance. However, Clare are better all round, so I expect them to win.
@Ray Ridge: cork fans allways support their side must be the best supported side in the all ireland all on their way back to cork now so the game now will be close i agree love to see wexford win
Closer than many though. Think Cork were always going to win it but Dublins wides.. some of them were awful. Will have to up it a few gears if Cork are to have any chance against Limerick/Kilkenny
That cork team won’t win Liam this year.
Dublin were awful until the last 5 minutes. Hitting stupid shots from way out and starving their inside forward line of possession. Needed to start going for goal a lot earlier than they did too. Very disappointing performance.
@Jack Dooley: That cork defence will getting ripped apart by a decent set of forwards. Dubs left it late.
Dublin need a hurling team because the one day have haven’t a clue about hurling
Anyone handpassing the ball these days?
Anyone letting the game flow? Too many frees, too little time the ball is in play!!!