Senior hurlers edged out by Rebels

Sun, 3rd July 2016

CORK 1-26 DUBLIN 1-23

Dublin's championship summer is over after a pulsating battle with Cork in Saturday night's All-Ireland SHC qualifier at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Ger Cunningham's men battled right to the finish and almost defied their numerical inferiority after losing Chris Crummey to a second yellow card in the 30th minute.

Eamonn Dillon's brilliantly taken goal in the 52nd minute, following great work by Chris Bennett, pushed Dublin into a 1-16 to 1-15 lead but the advantage of the extra man told over the conclusion of the game as Cork replied immediately with points from Daniel Kearney, Pat Horgan and Conor Lehane.

The Dubs, showing great heart, battled back again with a David Treacy free and with four minutes to go the sides were level again 1-22 each but Cork fired over four of the last five points to secure victory.

In the opening half Cork led 1-7 to 0-9 at the interval with the influential Alan Cadogan hitting 1-3, for Dublin Chris Bennett excelled as he carried the fight to the Rebels throughout the opening 25 minutes.

Afterwards Dublin manager, Ger Cunningham, said: "It was very difficult for us at that stage, but the lads showed great character.

“It’s hard to put into words after a performance like that. I am very proud of the lads for their commitment and effort in the second half. I thought it was top class.”

SCORERS - Cork: P Horgan 0-12 (0-8f), A Cadogan 1-5, C Lehane 0-3, D Kearney 0-2, W Egan, B Cooper, L O’Farrell, B Lawton 0-1 each. Dublin: D Treacy 0-9 (0-7f, 0-1 65), C Bennett, P Ryan (0-4f) 0-4 each, E Dillon 1-0, S Barrett, N McMorrow 0-2 each, J McCaffrey, C Crummey 0-1 each.

CORK: A Nash; M Ellis, D Cahalane, K Burke; A Walsh, C Joyce, C Murphy; W Egan, B Cooper; L O’Farrell, S Harnedy, J Cronin (Lisgoold); A Cadogan, P Horgan, C Lehane. Subs: C O’Sullivan for Murphy (ht), D Kearney for Cronin (46), B Lawton for Egan (49), S Kingston for Harnedy (67).

DUBLIN: G Maguire; E O’Donnell, C O’Callaghan, J Madden; C Crummey, L Rushe, S Barrett; J McCaffrey, N McMorrow; D Treacy, R O’Dwyer, E Dillon; P Ryan, C Bennett, M Schutte. Subs: N Corcoran for Madden (ht), S Treacy for Ryan (44), D O’Connell for McCaffrey (46), F McGibb for Schutte (62), D Plunkett for Bennett (67).

REF: P O’Dwyer (Carlow).