All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier R1 Cork v Louth Match Report
All Ireland SFC Round One
Cork 2-12 Louth 2-8
By John O’Shea at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for gaa.ie
Cork progressed to the next round of the All Ireland Football Qualifiers after coming out on top following a tight affair against Louth at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
It was a competitive and closely contested game of football, Louth set out their stall from the outset, playing a defensive game and then looking to hit on the break.
Cork needed patience to break down a stubborn Louth defence in the early stages. But they did get off the mark as Steven Sherlock slotted over.
That was before Brian Hurley tapped over a pair of points for the Rebels, one from play and another from a mark.
Louth got level with a goal in the 17th minute through a well worked collective move, which was finished from close range to the back of the net by Liam Jackson.
It was finely poised at the midway stage of the first half. Sam Mulroy slotted over a free for Louth, while Sherlock continued to prove a reliable scoring option at the other end.
On the half hour mark Brian Hurley put Cork 0-7 to 1-2 ahead with a lovely pointed score from distance.
Dan Corcoran got another Louth point just before the break to reduce the gap down to one, leaving everything all to play for heading into the second half.
Sam Mulroy and Sherlock continued to prove vital scorers for Louth and Cork respectively.
Cork goalkeeper Christopher Kelly was then called into make a fine double save from a Louth chance from Keenan.
Although this tactical affair was proving a tough watch at times for the spectators, it was very much keeping Louth right in the mix, as Mulroy slotted over a free on 51 minutes.
On 65 minutes Brian Hurley blasted into the back of the net for Cork, following a lovely run in the build up from Sean Powter.
However, a well taken Colm O’Callaghan goal in second half stoppage time saw Cork hit the back of the net for a second occasion
That appeared to be that. However, Conor Grimes got another Louth goal to leave just three points between the teams in the dying stages.
But Cork managed to hold on and book their place in the next round of the qualifiers.
Scorers for Cork: S Sherlock (0-8, 0-6 frees); B Hurley (1-4, 0-1 mark); C O’Callaghan (1-0).
Scorers for Louth: L Jackson (1-1); S Mulroy (0-4, 0-4 frees); C Grimes (1-0); D Corcoran, C Downey, T Jackson (0-1 each).
CORK : C Kelly; S Powter, M Shanley, K O’Donovan; J Cooper, R Maguire, M Taylor; C O’Callaghan, I Maguire; J O’Rourke, E McSweeney, D Dineen; S Sherlock, B Hurley, C O’Mahony.
Subs: B Hayes for O’Mahony (HT); D Gore for O’Rourke (50); T Corkery for Powter (temporary, 68-71); C Kiely for Dineen (70); P Walsh for E McSweeney (73); T Corkery for Powter (74).
LOUTH: J Calliff; D Corcoran, B Duffy, D McKenny; D McConnon, N Sharkey, L Jackson; J Clutterbuck, C Early; C McKeever, S Mulroy, C Downey; C Lennon, D Nally , R Burns
Subs: C Keenan for R Burns (44); T Durnin for Early (45); L Grey for McKeever (62); C Grimes for Nally (65); T Jackson for C Lennon (67).
Referee: Fergal Kelly(Longford).
