Cork rediscovers its rhythm to leave Dublin aside



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A dominant display from Cork, full of intensity and faith, allowed them to claim an impressive six-point victory over a Dublin side in their All-Ireland SHC tie at Semple Stadium.

Cork needed a reaction after their docile loss to Waterford and they got it, leading by six points at halftime, thanks in large part to the excellent distribution of Mark Coleman and the scoring of rookie Declan Dalton, Patrick Horgan, Seamus Harnedy and Shane Kingston. .

Similar to the Laois and Kilkenny matches, Donal Burke was Dublin’s leading scorer, keeping Mattie Kenny’s team in touch, but a more aggressive tackle on the attack and some inspiring scores from Robbie O’Flynn saw the men. Kieran Kingston’s men safe in Monday’s tie.

An explosive start to the game from both sides saw Luke Meade and Danny Sutcliffe exchange a point each within the first 60 seconds.

A dream start for championship rookie Dalton saw him pass Nolan in the Dublin goal and put three between the sides in ten minutes.

With nothing up front, the goal gave Cork the confidence they needed with another two quick points from Harnedy and Kingston extending their lead to five points.

Dublin responded just after the goal with points from Boland and Burke once again, leaving Cork ahead by three in the water break: 1-06 to 0-06.

The Rebels were unrecognizable from the side that succumbed so meekly to Waterford last weekend in terms of pace of off-the-ball work, hunger and overall intensity to their game.

Coleman’s performance in the first half epitomized that improvement with the ball as a magnet for his hurley and no fewer than 19 possessions in the first half.

Burke was doing his best to keep Kenny’s side in touch, but more game touchdowns for Harnedy and Kingston and a Horgan double put Kieran Kingston’s side deservedly ahead by six at halftime.

Cork continued to keep Dublin at bay and quite comfortably at the restart with two sublime scores from O’Flynn in a matter of minutes, further extending Cork’s lead to a deserved seven points.

Patrick Horgan, after a calm first half, prevailed in the second, punishing Dublin with his free games. Glen’s man finished the game with no less than eight points.

At the hour mark, the second rookie of the afternoon in the Cork championship, Jack O’Connor scored his first championship point and nothing less than he deserved after a solid first day.

Cork could have had his second goal of the game in the final stages with a double save from Nolan denying first Jack O’Connor and then Harnedy moments later.

The game was almost over at the time with two more balls placed from Horgan sealing a good afternoon for Cork.

It’s the end of the road for Kenny and his Dublin team this year. Cork advances to the second round of the tie and will do so with renewed confidence and as a team to fear.

Dublin: Alan Nolan; Paddy Smyth, Eoghan O’Donnell, James Madden; Conor Burke (0-01), Daire Gray, Cian O’Callaghan; Jake Malone; Cian Boland (0-02), Chris Crummey (0-03), Danny Sutcliffe (0-03, 1f) Donal Burke (0-11, 9f) Ronan Hayes (0-01), Eamonn Dillon.

Subs: Davy Keogh (0-01) by Eamonn Dillon 46, Sean Moran by Jake Malone 50, Mark Schutte by Cian Boland 52, Conal Keaney by Rian McBride 66.

cork: Anthony Nash; Damien Cahalane, Colm Spillane, Sean O’Donoghue; Tim O’Mahony, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Bill Cooper, Luke Meade (0-01), Seamus Harnedy (0-05), Shane Kingston (0-04), Robbie O’Flynn (0-05); Jack O’Connor (0-01), Declan Dalton (1-01), Patrick Horgan (0-08, 5f, 1 65)

Subs: Stephen McDonnell by Sean O’Donoghue 30, Conor Lehane by Declan Dalton 54, Aidan Walsh by Seamus Harnedy 67, Niall O’Leary by Robert Downey 68, Shane Barrett by Jack O’Connor 73.

Referee: John Keenan (Wicklow)



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