Cork 1-31 Kildare 2-19

By Jack McKay at Páirc Uí Rinn

Promotion fate placed back in Cork hands, though not without a worrying wobble against Kildare. The nine-point winning margin doesn’t reflect Cork’s dominance for 50 minutes. Nor does it reflect Kildare’s rampant fightback in the closing stages.

Substitute goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin made four saves for Cork in the last 10 minutes, including a penalty after Patrick Doyle was shown a black card.

The Leesiders can count their lucky stars to have still come away with victory over the Lilywhites.

Kildare, meanwhile, are in trouble.

The impact Ben McCormack, Jack Robinson and Alex Beirne had allowed Kildare to chip away at the deficit. That scoring difference swing might save them.

Robinson had slipped through for a goal in the 51st minute to leave it 1-26 to 2-12, but Cork answered with four more white flags to lead by 15 after 56 minutes. They would only score once more from there. Ben Loakman’s orange flag preceded Doyle’s foul on Brian McLoughlin resulting in a black-card penalty.

Martin was sprung from the bench in place of Dara Sheedy – who had been excellent for Cork – and made a brilliant save to deny Beirne. The first of his four saves to spare Cork any late blushes. Add in Luke Fahy’s goal-line clearance in the 59th minute, this one could have been very embarrassing for the hosts.

By the interval Cork were 1-22 to 1-6 ahead. They kicked eight two-pointers alone in the opening period, as the hosts made full use of their wind advantage at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Cork finished the first half with only two wides. Of their 1-22 first-half tally, 1-19 came from play. A commanding response after last week’s drubbing in Derry. Cork had 0-5 on the board before their opponents struck for their first point.

Kildare had been blown away. Even when Brian Flanagan’s side added their first major after 25 minutes, they still trailed by 11.

The goal was well taken – Brendan Gibbons finishing after Darragh Kirwan’s ball in – but three minutes later Cork had carved out a response. Or rather, had been handed one.

Ian Maguire intercepted a misplaced handpass from Brian Byrne, and off it moved through Brian O’Driscoll and Mark Cronin before Chris Óg Jones buried to the net, 1-17 to 1-3. Cronin then added on Cork’s seventh from deep, and the margin swelled to 16.

From there Cork should have pushed further ahead. Instead, they completely lost their way late in the second. Nonetheless, a point in Tyrone, and a place in Division 1 is theirs.

Kildare at least succeeded in limiting the damage.

Scorers for Cork: Chris Óg Jones 1-9 (2 tp), Steven Sherlock 0-10 (2 tp, 1 tpf, 0-1 45), Mark Cronin 0-4 (1 tp), Luke Fahy (1 tp) Dara Sheedy (1 tp) 0-3 each, Tommy Walsh, Paul Walsh 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kildare: Jack Robinson 1-1 (0-1 f), Ben McCormack 0-4 (2 tp), Brendan Gibbons 1-0, Alex Beirne (1 tp, 0-1 f), Darragh Kirwan 0-3 each, Ben Loakman (tp), Colm Moran, Colm Dalton 0-2 each, Callum Bolton, Brian McLoughlin 0-1 each.

Cork: Patrick Doyle; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O’Mahony, Seán Brady; Brian O’Driscoll, Tommy Walsh, Luke Fahy; Colm O’Callaghan, Ian Maguire; Paul Walsh, Mark Cronin, Seán McDonnell; Chris Óg Jones, Dara Sheedy, Steven Sherlock.

Subs: Ruairí Deane for McDonnell, Seán Walsh for P Walsh (both 53), Matty Taylor for T Walsh (56), Micheál Aodh Martin for Sheedy (59), Darragh Cashman for Taylor (59-FT temp), Rory Maguire for Doyle (66).

Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O’Neill, Padraic Spillane, Brian Byrne; Liam Kelly, Eoin Lawlor, Ryan Burke; Callum Bolton, Kevin Feely; Brian McLoughlin, Colm Moran, Colm Dalton; Sam Doran, Darragh Kirwan, Ben Loakman.

Subs: Brendan Gibbons for Feely (10 inj), Ben McCormack for Kelly, Alex Beirne for Doran (both HT), Jack Robinson for Moran (47), Eoin Cully for Loakman (64).

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).

One Cork Dublin will host its Road to Summer One Cork Dublin Championship Lunch on
Friday, April 17th at the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin 4 (kindly sponsored by Dalata Hotel Group PLC).

The event has become a key date in the calendar for Cork supporters living and working in the capital and is an unmissable opportunity for the Cork diaspora in Dublin to connect, network and support the continued development of Gaelic Games across the county.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at:

This year’s event will feature an outstanding line-up with principal speaker, leading businessman
Micheál O’Flynn, CEO O’Flynn Group, and a glittering array of stars, among them former Cork GAA greats
Dónal Óg Cusack, Linda Mellerick and Conor Counihan, ensuring a lively and engaging afternoon of insight, stories and Cork pride.

“The One Cork Lunch in Dublin has become a fantastic occasion to bring together Cork people based in the capital. It reflects the strength of our community and the deep pride that exists in Cork GAA wherever our supporters are based. Events like this are hugely important in strengthening our network and supporting the ongoing development of our teams and facilities across the county. I would encourage everyone with a connection to Cork to attend what promises to be another outstanding day.”

“One Cork is about unity, ambition and progress. The Dublin lunch is a key pillar of that vision, connecting our supporters in meaningful ways while also generating vital support for Cork GAA initiatives. We are very grateful to the volunteers and organisers in Dublin who continue to drive this event forward. We look forward to welcoming a strong Cork gathering on April 17th.”

“There is a tremendous Cork community in Dublin and this event gives us a chance to come together, celebrate our county and support Cork GAA. Each year the lunch has grown in scale and energy, and we are confident that the third annual event will be the biggest and best yet. We encourage Cork supporters, businesses and friends of the county to secure their tickets early.”

The One Cork Lunch promises an afternoon of entertainment, insight and Cork pride in the heart of Dublin.