THE defining image from Croke Park yesterday was the sight of disconsolate Kilkenny players * hidden from the throngs * respectfully waiting in the tunnel as their dreams of the three-in-a-row lay in ruins, while delirious Cork supporters proudly savoured the presentation of the Liam McCarthy Cup to Ben O'Connor.

Maybe not the expected result, but it was the predictable outcome from a disappointing Guinness All-Ireland final once Cork started to take control in the second half. Eventually finding their form, they overwhelmed the champions with a marvellous display of power hurling that was a tribute to the selectors and their players.

Pride was the prime motivating factor for Cork after the hurt of losing last year's final to Kilkenny. It was what sustained them through a challenging campaign that was dynamically regenerated by the win over Tipperary in Killarney and what drove them on to an acclaimed victory yesterday once they realised that it was within their grasp.

Among their many heroes on the team, Sean Óg O hAilpin gave another marvellous display of half-back play, Joe Deane and Brian Corcoran both played huge roles in the full-forward and substitute corner-back John Browne was a star when he
took over from the unfortunate Brian Murphy after injury forced him off in the 25th minute. But, essentially this was a success for teamwork and for the character shown in storming back after a largely ineffective first-half display when the crafty Deane had two definite goal chances.

It was a first half largely dominated by defences and characterised by missed chances on both sides. Kilkenny had three wides inside two minutes and most crucial of all, Eddie Brennan wasted a goal chance from the first, when both himself and D.J. Carey ran on to a John Hoyne through ball.

Their wastage of chances was to seriously undermine their challenge to the point around the three-quarters stage when an almost total lack of penetration meant they were virtually powerless to halt Cork's momentum.

With the sides level twice in the opening 12 minutes, Cork quickly benefited from the early impact made by Sean Óg O hAilpin crucially against Henry Shefflin, who had a minimal impact on the right wing and in several other positions he was to fill.

Setting out to try and stymie Cork's running style of play, Kilkenny were largely successful through the support play of their backs, except that they conceded frees at stages. And, it was from placed balls by Joe Deane (three) and one from Ben O'Connor (whose accuracy wasn't the best this time) that Cork depended on for scores, before Brian Corcoran was to get their only one of the half from play in the 32nd minute.

Part of Cork's problem was that they were being bettered at midfield, where Derek Lyng was most prominent. Additionally, Ronan Curran wasn't very much involved and Ben O'Connor was making no headway against J.J. Delaney. Inside, the outlook looked more promising, with Corcoran proving a handful for Noel Hickey and Joe Deane posing all sorts of problems for Michael Kavanagh.

Deane would have had a goal in the 13th minute but for hitting the crossbar. After that first let-off, Kilkenny achieved a significant improvement to open up a three points gap by the 23rd minute.

However after two quick scores from Ben O'Connor and Corcoran, Cork again promised a goal in injury time. The improving Gardiner hit in a long ball which James McGarry failed to gather and Deane, running in, put the ball just outside
the post. At the break, it was 0-7 to 0-6 for Kilkenny.

Surprisingly, Kilkenny only managed to maintain a strong challenge for almost 15 minutes after the break. During this time they twice led Shefflin got the two scores, from a '65 and a close-in free, but remarkably they weren't to add to their total.

Niall McCarthy put over a marvellous equalising score, which he struck just as he lost his balance and fell and it seemed to inspire Cork. It certainly boosted the Carrigtwohill man's confidence and after Murphy edged Cork in front in the 39th minute, he put over another great long-range score. Thus, he banished a few ghosts remaining over from last year's final, just as the team itself was to achieve over the remaining 15 minutes, when Jerry O'Connor and Tom Kenny were seen at their best at midfield.

Donal Óg Cusack, again playing a vital role, came to their rescue in the 56th minute with a critical save on the line from Shefflin. Hoyne broke through, was bottled up before he scrambled a pass to Shefflin and he first-timed a low shot from close range. In different circumstances, a goal then might have changed the course of the game, but the save had the effect of consolidating Cork's grip.

Most of all, Corcoran, largely through his innate hurling skills, was to prove so effective that Hickey was taken off him. The driving force behind the 1999 victory over Kilkenny he capped an amazing comeback with a point from near the
corner flag which D.J. Carey would have been proud of. And, not a player to show his emotions publicly, he fell to his knees and threw his arms up in the air to acclaim the crowd. For Corcoran, a courageous team and Cork hurling, it was the perfect way to celebrate going back on top in the Roll of Honour.

*Not the best refereeing performance from Aodhan MacSuibhne, who made a small number of mistakes on both sides.

Scores for Cork J. Deane 0-5 frees; N. McCarthy 0-3; B. O'Connor 0-3 frees; K. Murphy and B. Corcoran 0-2 each; T. Kenny and J. O'Connor 0-1 each.

Kilkenny: H. Shefflin 0-5 (0-3 frees, 0-1 '65); M. Comerford 0-2; J. Fitzpatrick and D. Lyng 0-1 each.

CORK: D. Og Cusack; W. Sherlock, D. O'Sullivan, B. Murphy; J. Gardiner, R. Curran, S. Og O hAilpin; T. Kenny, J. O'Connor; B. O'Connor (capt.), N. McCarthy, T. McCarthy; K. Murphy, B. Corcoran, J. Deane.

Sub: J. Browne for Murphy (injured 25th minute).

KILKENNY: J. McGarry; M. Kavanagh, N. Hickey, J. Ryall; T. Walsh, P. Barry, J.J. Delaney; D. Lyng; K. Coogan; H. Shefflin, J. Hoyne, D.J. Carey; J. Fitzpatrick, M. Comerford (capt.), E. Brennan.

Subs: C. Phelan for Fitzpatrick (57th minute); S. Dowling for Coogan (63rd).

Referee: A. MacSuibhne (Dublin).

*Attendance: 78,212.

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O'Grady: We deserved it

By Michael Moynihan
DONAL O'GRADY'S reflections yesterday on a job well done were typical of the man.

He concentrated on the result and detailed the process, but the passion also glinted: "I think we deserved it.

"We played well, though we didn't play well all the time we were a bit tense, especially in the first half. The conditions were very difficult, with a swirling wind, and Joe Deane hit the bar when a goal would have settled us down.

O'Grady was phlegmatic about 2003: "Last year we missed too many chances and we didn't deserve to win; we set that right this year and that was important to us," but he also swiped at older myths about Cork: "People talk about Cork not
being able to play in the wet or not being able for rough stuff, but that's gone for 10 or 20 years." His pre-game chat with Aodan McSuibhne was quite specific, by the way: "I just wanted to clarify one rule page 12 of the rule book, about goalkeeping. I thought the referee did a very good job. The game was good and tough."

Asked about the satisfaction of coaching a team to All-Ireland success, the St Finbarr's man was, as always, anxious to deflect the limelight onto his charges: "The personal satisfaction comes in the team playing well and doing themselves
justice, particularly in the second-half. Seventy minutes is a long time and you'll be in and out of the game, but the team knuckled down and fought very hard all through. That's all you can ask and that's where the satisfaction comes in."

The turning points? O'Grady acknowledged Donal Óg Cusack's save from a point-blank shot by Henry Shefflin as crucial while suggesting the vital score as "Tom Kenny's great run and point, which put us seven ahead. I felt at that time that we wouldn't let it slip like last year."

"I felt we'd had a few chances before half-time, but that we hadn't played particularly well. I felt that if we got the ball into the full-forward line we'd do well, because we were on top there when we got the ball in quickly. That was the plan for the second-half, to get the ball into the full-forwards and to have the half-forwards and centre fielders coming onto it, and that worked well for us."

One of the full-forwards in question came in for special mention: "Brian (Corcoran) came back into the team and did a great job for us.

"When you see a player of the calibre of Noel Hickey getting shunted to the corner because he can't handle the full-forward that was great for us it gives you a fillip because it shows the opposition is in trouble.

"It unhinged the Kilkenny defence slightly and I felt confident once we went five points up. The full-back and half-back lines were superb."

Sean Óg Ó hAilpín's performance also came in for particular praise: "I thought Sean Óg was absolutely colossal for us, absolutely outstanding. In all the games he's played for us he's been tremendous. Media commentators may put certain
players above him but I have the height of respect for him, he's a super player and gives everything he has."

O'Grady reverted to inclusive mode when asked about the massive Cork support: "We saw the crowd on the field and the support has been magnificent. In 1999, the supporters adhered to the rule about staying off the field, but there was so
much emotion there today after last year particularly. The support we got all year was great.

"I also want to pay tribute to my selectors and the rest of the backroom team. They've been superb and the players have done everything we asked of them. They worked hard and showed great flashes of skill, and the best team won."

Cork are now one ahead of Kilkenny in the All-Ireland lists; was that ever a factor for the team? "There was no motivation to stop Kilkenny or to go one ahead. The players and I didn't speak about that. It was all about playing in an All-Ireland and trying to win it; they don't come around too often."

Asked about his future plans, the response was typical: "That's not a question to answer tonight, tonight is all about the players."

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Cody: No excuses, Cork took it by the scruff of the neck

By Jim O'Sullivan
BRIAN Cody's priority was to give the Cork hurlers their due credit for winning yesterday's All-Ireland final, emphasising that he wanted his own players to accept their defeat with the same dignity which they showed in their victories.

And, he said, he was not interested in making excuses.

However the Kilkenny coach was very insistent on was that Kilkenny didn't lose because of a lack of hunger.

"I don't ever believe that one team 'wants' it more than the other team because we wanted it as monumentally as anyone wanted it. And they wanted the very same thing," he commented. "But, games take on a life of their own. You can say what you like, you can play tomorrow or the day after, but you get only one chance to play it.

"I congratulate Cork absolutely and totally, but I could not speak highly enough of the Kilkenny team.

"We tried our damnedest to win three in a row and we went through tough matches and we got there. But we didn't get there today. There's no shame in it."

True to type, Cody accepted the result philosophically, pointing out that the death of the father of panel members Richie and Paddy Mullally put it in perspective. "Obviously we're devastated and shattered. Two of the players going home to bury their father and the fact that they were here today is essentially testament to the spirit in the whole camp. You don't buy that loyalty or spirit. Our thoughts are with them."

"In my opinion, the best team always wins the All-Ireland final. You have 70 minutes to do it and today was Cork's day. They proved themselves an excellent team and I'd say fair play to them."

Asked what he had said to his players afterwards, Cody said he had reminded them of their 'phenomenal achievement' in winning three All-Irelands in the last five years.

"It's fair to say that every time we won, we won with honour and respect for the game, the Association and the opposition. And, we're going to lose the same way."

For him personally, he had sampled the same feeling both as a player and manager as well as the 'other side' in both roles (against Cork mainly). Disappointment aside, it taught him the importance of being dignified in such situations.

He felt the game had been 'starting to slip' over the last quarter of an hour. But, with the class of players they have, he never gave up hope. There was always the potential for a goal and Henry Shefflin almost got one at a crucial stage in the second half . "That time, the ball just didn't go over the line essentially. If it had, it would have brought us back to a point. A goal means an awful lot and lifts a team in a major way.

"The fact it was saved lifted Cork further and gave them the impetus to drive on.

"With the swirling wind, both teams missed chances. We created some very good opportunities at several stages in the first half. We didn't take enough of them, but that's the way it goes. We're not saying, 'if only this or if that' because there are no ifs. We did not score from play in the second half, but Cork didn't score from play for 32 minutes in the first half. That's something that happens. You don't legislate for it, you don't try to explain it. When it happens, it happens."

At half-time, he had felt his team was 'well in the hunt.' At the same time, he didn't think they were going to win the game easily or lose the game or whatever it was. "It was going to be about whichever team took it by the scruff of the neck, whichever team could get on a roll. And Cork did that."

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Cats struggled with Rebels' pace

By Tony Considine
OKAY, I was wrong. I felt Cork and Kilkenny were going to give us a classic, after many disappointing All-Ireland finals between these two going back to the 70s.

They didn't, and it was a poor enough game, over long before the final whistle.

Everywhere else however, I was right. I forecast on Saturday that Kilkenny would try to blitz Cork from the start, and they did, hit Cork with everything in the opening minutes. I also said the Cork would withstand the barrage, and that eventually, their pace and power would tell, that their hurt from last year would prevail. So it turned out.

Even before the throw-in, it was obvious that this Cork team were ready for battle, ready for anything Kilkenny would throw at them. Right through the field they were standing shoulder to shoulder with Kilkenny, and they never stepped
back. Rain, heavy tackles, a first half in which they were under pressure; it meant nothing, none of it. Having lost a bitter one last year, one they will still claim they should have won, Cork were not going to be denied, not going to be diverted.

Nowhere was this more evident than in Cork's central defence. O'Sullivan was a rock, finally worthy of the nickname, saw off Martin Comerford; Curran was up against John Hoyne, as physical a player as there is in this very physical Kilkenny side. He stood up to the Kilkenny man, was as magnificent as he's been all season.

At the other end of the field Cork were also well served down the middle; Niall McCarthy was tremendous, and as for Brian Corcoran, fantastic; when Cork needed a leader, he was there. Remember, Noel Hickey was man-of-the-match last year; in
the second half yesterday, he was shifted to the corner. That says it all about Corcoran, the player, and the man.

Midfield, Kilkenny were doing well in the first half, but they weren't getting away, neither O'Connor nor Kenny giving up the chase. And that's what typified Cork's performance yesterday, first half especially. Under pressure, but no-one hung their head; they fought, hung on, managed to stay in touch, despite that storming Kilkenny start. No Cork score from play 'til the 31st minute? Not a good sign, yet I knew at the break that Cork would win this one.

Given the conditions, it was apparent that the team with most left in the tank would win this, and Cork's body-language at half-time looked far more positive. Kilkenny had given it their best shot, with the wind behind them, yet were only
a point in front. You could see the doubts starting to creep in.

All the talk of the back door, yet there can be no doubt, it didn't suit this Kilkenny team. They looked tired, especially when things started to go against them.

A major knock against the Kilkenny management here however; why didn't they bring on a some fresh legs earlier, maybe Sean Dowling to half-back, release Tommy Walsh forward, a slot to which in my humble opinion, he is much more suited, and introduce a few of their talented younger players. This failure to move cost them, just as it cost Cork last year.

Looking to Cork, and not for the first time in this campaign, this win was based on an utterly dominant half-back line of Gardiner, Curran, Ó hAilpin, they formed an almost impregnable line. What little did get through was snapped up by Sherlock, O'Sullivan, Murphy, with John Browne also doing really well after he came in. By contrast, in the Kilkenny defence, the only man on top was JJ Delaney, who again won his battle with Ben O'Connor.

CREDIT to the Cork captain however, he too battled his corner, never gave up.

Looking at the game in the first half, it was really bunched through the middle, a tactic dictated, I felt, by Kilkenny.

By the end of that half, Cork were starting to get on top, and within a few minutes of the restart, began to dictate their own tactics. In the second half, Kilkenny were asked to dance to the Cork tune, but just didn't have the legs.
That was where it was won. This Kilkenny team plays best when they are the ones dictating the terms, but I've always felt they would be vulnerable to Cork's non-stop game.

So it proved, Kilkenny were unable to live with Cork's, constant, relentless, unremitting pressure. Credit to the Cork management team for learning from last year, from their loss this year even. They shipped a lot of criticism, fair criticism in my book, but took it on the chin, made the necessary adjustments in both team line-up and tactics (their faith in Timmy McCarthy and Kieran Murphy vindicated yesterday, for example), and now reap the rewards. They've learned how to win, to win with style - as they did against Tipperary, Antrim, Wexford - and to win ugly, as they did yesterday.

Pause for a word about Kilkenny. This has been a great team, won a lot, a lot of mileage under their belts. Had they been playing any team other than Cork yesterday, I believe they would still be All-Ireland champions, but the loss to Wexford was the losing of this All-Ireland. They simply weren't able for the back road, the hard road, and yesterday was a game to far. They met a better team, a stronger team, a team that carried so much hurt from last year. Doubt crept into Kilkenny early, even before half-time; that doubt was put there by Cork's unrelenting style, their absolute determination not to leave another All-Ireland title behind them. They didn't.

My man-of-the-match? Gardiner, Curran, Ó hAilpin, Niall McCarthy, Corcoran, O'Sullivan, Delaney? I go for Curran.

A few final thoughts. People were saying all week that the roll of honour wasn't an issue; I hope nobody believed any of that. Cork is a proud hurling county, had been top of the tree for a long a time, did not want to relinquish that honour. They haven't, and without wanting to jump the gun here, I don't think they'll be relinquishing it for another while. A year was a long time to wait, for the Cork players and fans, but judging by their reaction, it was surely worth it.