All-Ireland SFC Group Three

Cork 3-9 Donegal 0-16

Cork took control of Group Three of the All-Ireland SFC as they inflicted a first defeat of the year on Donegal at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday afternoon.

A crowd of 7,251 saw the visitors concede their first three goals of the championship campaign – Cork’s Matty Taylor, Seán Powter and Rory Maguire on target – as the home side moved into a five-point lead midway through the second half. However, the Ulster champions showed their mettle as they drew level though sub Aaron Doherty with time ticking down.

John Cleary’s side didn’t panic, however. While they wasted one chance to move back in front through sub Conor Corbett, they were back in front through another replacement, Steven Sherlock, set up by another player off the bench, Ruairí Deane.

With five minutes of injury time to negotiate, Cork had to defend well to keep Donegal at bay. Sub Jeaic Mac Callbhuí had a sight of goal, but was crowded out while Ryan McHugh left one short and, at the death, Cork broke well with full-back Daniel O’Mahony – superb throughout – setting up Colm O’Callaghan for the clincher.

It means that the avoidance of defeat against Tyrone in their last match would leave Cork top of the section, while Donegal will face Clare looking to bounce back and keep their aspirations alive.

Donegal had had the better of somewhat tentative opening exchanges, leading by 0-3 to 0-1 before Cork’s Chris Óg Jones pointed after they had broken quickly following a turnover at midfield.

Jones almost had a fortuitous goal as his point attempt fell short, but nearly crept in to the net; however, the Rebels wouldn’t have to wait too long for a lead score. Seán Powter was the instigator as turned Ryan McHugh over and he fed wing-back Matty Taylor, who sprinted into the open prairie and kept his composure as he slotted past Shaun Patton.

It was 1-3 to 0-3 after Jones landed a good point in the 21^st minute, but the rest of the first half belonged to Donegal. They were level by 28 as Ciarán Moore, Niall O’Donnell and Patrick McBrearty scored and, though Paul Walsh restored Cork’s advantage, it was the last time they led in the opening half.McBrearty set up Oisín Gallen for a fine score to level and then the captain got his fifth of the day, set up by Caolán McGonagle. Cork did threaten goals in the closing minutes – a Taylor pass intended for Maurice Shanley was just off-target and Patton saved brilliantly from Colm O’Callaghan after Brian Hurley had an effort blocked – but Gallen’s second gave Donegal a two-point cushion at the break, 0-9 to 1-4.

Within five minutes of the second half beginning, the game had swung in Cork’s favour. First, a good move was stitched together as the ball was worked through the hands of Tommy Walsh, Mark Cronin and Colm O’Callaghan before ending with Seán Powter, who drilled a shot beyond Shaun Patton.

Then, when Cork claimed possession from the kickout, Chris Óg Jones had a half-chance which was saved, but the loose ball fell for the waiting Rory Maguire, who palmed home for a 3-4 to 0-9 lead.

Cork moved five in front as Brian Hurley scored a free in the 45^th minute before Patrick McBrearty belated opened the visitors’ second-half account with his sixth of the day. A couple of long-range Oisín Gallen efforts brought them closer as Cork struggled to increase their tally.

The lead was down to a single point, 3-7 to 0-5, when Donegal centre-back Caolán McGonagle pointed in the 65^th minute and then sub Doherty had them level.

Cork’s period without a score reached the 17-minute mark, but they conjured something when they needed it and claimed the points.

Scorers for Cork: Brian Hurley 0-3 (2fs), Rory Maguire, Matty Taylor, Seán Powter 1-0 each, Chris Óg Jones, Colm O’Callaghan 0-2 each, Paul Walsh, Steven Sherlock 0-1 each.

Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-7 (3fs), Oisín Gallen 0-4 (2fs), Ryan McHugh, Niall O’Donnell, Ciarán Moore, Caolán McGonagle, Aaron Doherty 0-1 each.

Cork: Chris Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O’Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Maurice Shanley, Rory Maguire, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Seán Powter, Brian O’Driscoll; Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley, Chris Óg Jones.

Subs: Conor Corbett for Powter (44, injured), Steven Sherlock for Jones (50), Thomas Clancy for Tommy Walsh (57), Ruairí Deane for Cronin (65), Eoghan McSweeney for Hurley (70), Seán Meehan for Paul Walsh (70+4).

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Ciarán Moore; Peadar Mogan, Caolán McGonagle, Ryan McHugh; Jason McGee, Michael Langan; Shane O’Donnell, Ciarán Thompson, Daire Ó Baoill; Patrick McBrearty, Oisín Gallen, Niall O’Donnell.

Subs: Aaron Doherty for Ó Baoill (half-time), Odhrán Doherty for McGee (41), Jamie Brennan for O’Donnell (53), Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuí for O’Donnell (61).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).

Thank You to George Hatchell for Photographs (Copyright applies)