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All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship Final Replay: Cork 1-16 Kilkenny 1-10 |
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It’s first blood to Cork in the All-Ireland stakes following Saturday’s superbly orchestrated six point triumph over Kilkenny in the Intermediate Championship Replay at Semple Stadium, Thurles. Clinically destroying the Cats’ bid of Senior, Intermediate, U21 and minor grand-slam, Cork also had the distinction of winning this grade for the second year in succession with two entirely different teams. Sensationally denied two weeks ago when they lost a 13 point lead, Cork magnificently held their nerve when Kilkenny threatened another comeback in the closing stages. But as Cork coach Johnny Keane said: “with all due respect to Kilkenny, I felt we were the better team, and thoroughly deserved to win. When we got on the bus the sun was shining and my optimism soared. As I said to the lads, when the sun shines, Cork hurl and that is what they did, particularly in the second-half when they fired on all cylinders.” With both net-minders, Richard O’Neill & Anthony Nash, playing superbly, goals were impossible to come by in a lasklustre first half. Two sublime saves by O’Neill denied Cork corner-forwards Seamus Hayes & Eoin Conway, while Nash turned a great drive from wing-forward Eddie Walsh round a post. Points from Darren Dineen, Conway and Dessie Fitzgerald, who converted a 65, saw Cork scorch into the lead before captain David Buggy got Kilkenny on the scoreboard in the 10th minute. It was nip and tuck, but, Kilkenny, with John Costello steady as a rock at centre-back and Richie Power opening up on the 40, began to create more chances. Faulty shooting, however, eroded Kilkenny’s confidence and with Cork grimly hanging on, the sides were level at six points a piece at the interval. There was a massive injection of pace and power from both sides immediately after the resumption. The scoring rate zoomed and they were level for the fifth time in the 39th minute. But the inspired substitution of James Masters lifted Cork to an exciting new level and suddenly the stalemate ended. Masters cut loose on the right flank of attack and Kilkenny found themselves under pressure. Conway, full-forward Rory Doherty and Hayes, also began to fulfil their promise up front and, with Rory McCarthy hurling well at the back and Timmy Lordan relishing his switch to right half-back, things came together for Cork. Two fabulous points from Masters and Doherty edged Cork back in front, and then came the decisive score of the game. Conroy drew the Kilkenny defence before parting to Hayes and the Courcey Rovers player kicked the ball into the corner of the net. Turning on the power, Cork opened up a seven point gap, but they were sweating five minutes from the end when Buggy setup Jamie Power for a Kilkenny goal that threw the contest back into the melting pot. “O God no, here we go again” thought the Cork coach, and he had further reason to worry when Kilkenny corner-forward Michael Grace had his attempt at goal blocked down by Nash; Grace got a second chance but again his shot failed to find the target. Two late points from flying wing-forward Barry O’Dwyer and excellent substitute Nicholas Murphy finally sealed Cork’s victory. Scorers for Cork: Seamus Hayes 1-01; Des Fitzgerald 0-03 (0-02 from 65s; 0-1 from free); Eoin Conway 0-02; James Masters 0-02; Barry O’Dwyer 0-02; Rory Doherty 0-02; Darren Dineen 0-02 (0-02 from frees); Jonathon Olden 0-01; Nicholas Murphy 0-01. Scorers for Kilkenny: James Power 1-00; Richie Power 0-05 (0-01 from 65; 0-1 from free); David Buggy 0-02; Michael Grace 0-01; Conor Herity 0-01; J.P. Corcoran 0-01. Cork Team:Anthony Nash (Kanturk), John Crowley (Newcestown), Liam Hayes (Dromina), Rory McCarthy (St.Finbarrs), Brendan Walsh Capt (Bride Rovers), Timmy Lordan (Courcey Rovers), Des Fitzgerald (Charleville), Tadhg Healy (Buttevant), Jonathon Olden (Inniscarra), John Russell (Grenagh), Darren Dineen (Ballinhassig), Barry O’Dwyer (Ballymartle), Seamus Hayes (Courcey Rovers), Rory Doherty (Ballincollig), Eoin Conway (Fr.O’Neills). Subs: James Masters (Nemo Rangers) for Healy; Darragh McSweeney (Blarney) for Walsh; Nicholas Murphy (Carrigaline) for Dineen.Declan McCarthy (Ballymartle), Brian O’Driscoll (Fr.O’Neills), Tadhg Burke (Valley Rovers), Patrick Dineen (Mallow), Barry Johnson (Bride Rovers), Daniel O’Connell (Inniscarra), Paul McGrath (Blackrock). Coach: John Keane (Liscarroll) Selectors: Daire Holland (Inniscarra), Brendan O’Sullivan (Valley Rovers), Pat O’Connell (Delaney’s) & Liam Barry (Bride Rovers)
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