Down popped by Cork

Down popped by Cork

15 February 2012

FOR the fourth time in three years Down failed to overcome Cork when they were overpowered on Sunday in Pairc O Caoimh.

After their opening victory over Ulster champions Donegal, Down travelled south hoping that at last they could dull the supremacy of Cork. But, after a good start, they fell apart and three first half goals by Cork saw them lead by 3-5 to 0-5 leaving the second period a mere formality.

Down opened with three points from Aidan Carr, but just as in their previous game against Donegal, they lost their grip on the match and went some 23 minutes without another score.

It was the 14th minute before Cork opened their score with points from Donnacha O’Connor and Mark Collins. Even at that stage, Down still had the better of the exchanges, but Patrick Kelly raised the hopes of the home team with the first of his three goals and almost immediately he added a second as Cork took control.

The Down defence that had not conceded a goal in their Dr McKenna Cup campaign fell apart and thereafter the Cork attack cut holes in it at random.

In the early stages Down midfielders Peter Turley and Dan Gordon looked good with some fine fielding and passes to their attackers. But once big Pearse O’Neill and Alan O’Connor settled they gave the Cork attack a better supply of the ball with O’Connor in particular being most impressive.

Cork found it hard to settle after Carr had lofted over three points, but once Donnacha O’Connor and Mark Collins got into their stride there was only going to be one winner.

A long range Michael Shields point raised the Cork impetus and when Patrick Kelly took a pass from Donnacha O’Connor to send to the Down net things looked ominous for Down.

Barry O’Driscoll lobbed over a Cork point and minutes later the alert Patrick Kelly found the Down net for the second time and Cork led by 2-4 to 0-3.

Down fought back with points from Conor Laverty and Aidan Brannigan to give them some hope, but a point by Fintan Gould kept Cork well ahead. When Patrick Kelly goaled from the penalty spot after Mark Collins had been fouled, Cork led comfortably by 3-5 to 0-5 at half-time.

Three times in the ten minutes after the break points were exchanged with Aidan Carr, Dan Gordon and Liam Doyle, from a free, scoring for Down while Donnacha O’Connor split the Down posts twice and Alan O’Connor added another.

With 15 minutes of the half gone Brendan McVeigh brought off a brilliant save from Mark Collins at the expense of a 45. From the resultant kick by Fintan Gould the Cork left half forward Patrick Kelly smashed the ball to the net to complete his hat-trick.

Cork added four more points while Down had late scores from Liam Doyle and Aidan Carr.

Down: B. McVeigh, D. Turley, D. McCartan, O. Costello, G. McCartan, L. Doyle (0-2), K. Quinn, P. Turley, D. Gordon (0-1), D. Hughes, A. Carr (0-5, 0-4 frees), A. Brannigan (0-1), B. Coulter, C. Laverty (0-1), M. Poland. Subs: C. Garvey for D. McCartan (32), C. Maginn for Poland (ht), K. McKernan for G. McCartan (42), A. McArdle for P. Turley (42), B. McArdle for Costello (52).

Cork: A. Quirke, R. Carey, E. Cadogan, M. Shields (0-2), G. Canty, P. Kissane, N. O’Leary, A. O’Connor (0-1), P. O’Neill (0-1), F. Gould (0-1), M. Collins (0-1), P. Kelly (3-0), B. O’Driscoll, D. O’Connor (1-4, 1-0 penalty, 0-3 frees), F. Lynch. Subs: P. Kerrigan for Lynch (25); E. Cotter for Cadogan (ht); S. Kiely for O’Leary (54), L. Shorten for Gould (65); N. Murphy for O’Connor (65).

Cork 4-11

Down 0-10

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