The 16th Man

It could have all been so different. After leading for 68 minutes Dublin capitulated. Tired legs, inexperience and panic set in and Cork took full advantage. In the long months ahead Dublin may wonder just how they managed to lose this match.

In fairness, while Dublin squandered a healthy lead the onus was still on Cork to punish their opposition’s naivety. They duly did and with some aplomb and like vultures circling over a tired and wounded animal the comeback in the dying stages had an air of inevitability about it.

Bernard Brogan was once again chief marksmen for the Dubs, collating an impressive 1-07 over the course of 70 minutes, all but one of which came in open play. His first score was a goal. A long punt forward from Niall Corkery was expertly gathered by the corner forward and his finish was as cool as it was clinical.

He tormented Ray Carey throughout and in the opening 20 minutes Cork were floundering while Dublin continued to add scores, seemingly at will. The Dublin defence was faring equally well. They stifled Cork and forced their players, notably Aidan Walsh, into firing long range efforts wide or short of the mark.

Donncha O’Connor and Daniel Goulding’s assured kicking from the dead ball despite intense booing from the Hill kept Cork in touch but Dublin were undoubtedly playing the better stuff. Alan Brogan enjoyed an excellent first half and David Henry and Niall Corkery’s industry around the middle of the park was consistently reaping rewards for Dublin.

Cork looked rudderless at times but even without playing to their potential they managed to keep in touch with a dynamic Dublin team. When Maurice Deegan sounded the half-time whistle Dublin deservedly led on a score-line of 1-08 to 0-07.

A second-half onslaught from Cork was expected but failed to materialise in the early stages as Ross McConnell stretched Dublin’s lead on 42 minutes. The Dubs appeared to be coasting but as the game wore on a raggedness began to seep into Dublin’s play. They began to concede more fouls and McConnell made his way into the referee’s book.

When the midfielder executed what could only be described as a rugby tackle on substitute Colm O’Neill the referee had no choice but to award a penalty and send McConnell to the stands for his second bookable offence.

Donncha O’Connor hit the net with the aid of the post from the resulting penalty and all of a sudden what was once a commanding Dublin lead looked particularly precarious.

But Pat Gilroy’s charges responded well, almost inevitably through Bernard Brogan. It may well be the last bit of fight left in Dublin as the tide turned in Cork’s favour as they used the extra man to their advantage.

The strength and depth of their squad was also evident. Substitutes Derek Kavanagh and in particular Colm O’Neill gave the Cork attack an edge that was lacking in the first half.

They continued to chip away at Dublin’s lead with Donncha O’Connor, Paddy Kelly and O’Neill all landing points in quick succession. On 68 minutes they drew level and soon afterwards moved into a two point lead. It was a show of experience and poise in the face of adversity.

In contrast, Dublin wasted the ball in promising positions, something that looked implausible earlier in the game. When Bernard Brogan booted over in injury time it was too little too late. The whistle was blown and Dublin were crushed as Cork celebrated a famous win by the minimum margin.

Dublin are no strangers to semi-final defeats in recent years but this loss differs to the rest. Gone are the days of bombast and self-regard. Instead, Pat Gilroy has replaced that ethos with quiet industry and a superb team ethic, not to mention a healthy dosage of youth. Dublin can count themselves unlucky not to be in the final but with a nucleus of a superb team still in place they have every reason to think that next year will be different.

After falling at the final hurdle in recent years Cork are hoping to ensure that this year will be very different for them. They are firm favourites to win the All-Ireland crown they crave so much. On the back of this performance it is not a dream they will give up lightly.

CORK: A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, J Miskella; N O’Leary, G Canty, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh (0-01); P Kerrigan (0-01), P O’Neill, P Kelly (0-02); D Goulding (0-04), C Sheehan, D O’Connor (1-05) (Subs): E Cadogan for G Canty, N Murphy for A O’Connor, C O’Neill (0-01) for C Sheehan, D Kavanagh (0-01) for J Miskella, F Goold for N O’Leary

DUBLIN: S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, R O’Carroll, P McMahon (0-01); K Nolan, G Brennan, C O’Sullivan; MD Macauley (0-01), R McConnell (0-01); B Cullen (0-01), A Brogan (0-02), N Corkery; D Henry, E O’Gara, B Brogan (1-07) (Subs): B Cahill for C O’Sullivan, P Flynn for D Henry, E Fennell for N Corkery, C Keaney (0-01) for E O’Gara, D Bastick for R O’Carroll

Comments