Senior hurlers search historic victory over Rebels

Dublin hurlers are seeking their first SHC victory over Cork since 1927 (All-Ireland final) when they clash in this Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier round 1 duel in Semple Stadium, Thurles (3.45, Live Sky Sports Mix).

The counties last clashed in SHC action in early July 2016 when the Dubs, managed by Rebel legend Ger Cunningham, lost to Cork (1-26 to 1-23) in Páirc Uí Rinn.

Before that tie they had met three years previously when Dublin, then Leinster champions for the first time since 1961, lost out to the Rebels by five points, 1-24 to 1-19, in Croke Park.

Dublin have won the last two NHL encounters between the counties in 2017 and 2016.

Here we look at the results of Dublin versus Cork SHC clashes as well as their most recent SHC and NHL games as well as a look back to the memorable 2013 All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

DUBLIN v CORK: SHC CLASHES

2016: Cork 1-26 Dublin 1-23 (All-Ireland qualifier round 1)

2013: Cork 1-24 Dublin 1-19 (All-Ireland semi-final)

2008: Cork 1-17 Dublin 0-15 (All-Ireland qualifier)

2007: Cork 3-20 Dublin 0-15 (All-Ireland qualifier)

1952: Cork 2-14 Dublin 0-7 (All-Ireland final)

1944: Cork 2-13 Dublin 1-2 (All-Ireland final)

1942: Cork 2-14 Dublin 3-4 (All-Ireland final)

1941: Cork 5-11 Dublin 0-6 (All-Ireland final)

1928: Cork 5-3 Dublin 0-2 (All-Ireland semi-final)

1927: Dublin 4-8 Cork 1-3 (All-Ireland final)

1920: Dublin (Faughs) 4-9 Cork (Selection) 4-3 (All-Ireland final)

1919: Cork (Selection) 6-4 Dublin (Collegians) 2-4 (All-Ireland final)

1902: Cork (Dungourney) 2-6 Dublin (Faughs/Commercials) 0-1 (Home Final)

1894: Cork (Blackrock) 5-20 Dublin (Rapparees) 2-0 (All-Ireland final)

1892: Cork (Redmonds) awarded game by Central Council after their game in Clonturk Park (played in March 1893), when winning, against Dublin (Faughs/Davitts) was not concluded (All-Ireland final)

---------------------------------

2017 NHL
DUBLIN 2-19 CORK 1-14

Dublin hurlers bounced back in style following their opening night reversal to defeat Cork with eight points to spare in this NHL Division 1A clash at Páirc Uí Rinn.

It was victory and a performance that delighted Dublin manager Ger Cunningham in front of an attendance of 6,214.

"All in all, I'm very happy. There was a lot of disappointment in our dressing-room last weekend after the performance against Tipperary. We probably showed them a bit too much respect and we were well beaten.

"We knew that wasn't reflective of what we see in training and we were just trying to get the lads to bring what they were doing in training and bring a serious attitude to it.

"They brought a great work-rate and I think that was the big thing for us. Thankfully it paid off. They showed tonight what they're capable of."

The Dubs started slowly and trailed the Rebels by 0-4 to 0-1 inside 12 minutes.

However, Dublin suddenly sparked to life. Caolán Conway struck a point before a long delivery into the danger zone saw Ryan O'Dwyer somehow propel the sliotar to the Cork net.

"It was a bit of a lucky goal but that gave us a lift," said Ger Cunningham. "We were 0-4 to 0-2 down, all of a sudden we went ahead. It was great for the lads and they got some confidence from it."

Dublin were a transformed team in this period and hit a superb 1-8 without reply.

The towering Eoghan Conroy was a regular target for long puckouts from Conor Dooley, Dublin were causing Cork major headaches off the Rebels puckouts while the clever play of Donal Burke had Cork on the back foot.

Burke clipped two points with the forceful Rian McBride adding another. Dublin might have had a second goal but Burke had his 26th minute penalty stopped by Cork keeper Anthony Nash - but Burke converted the resultant '65'.

Shane Kingston rallied the Rebels before the break and by the interval Dublin were 1-11 to 1-7 clear.

Five minutes into the second half Dublin struck for their decisive score when Burke kept his cool to sweep the ball across the face of the Cork goal from where Conroy had the time to lift and strike to the net.

Dublin didn't look back with the likes of Chris Bennett and Cian O'Sullivan both coming off the bench to add to Dublin's scoring tally.

The Dubs, however, finished the game with 14 men after the influential Chris Crummey was sent off for a second yellow card offence in the 56th minute.

"What was encouraging was that we took it on in the second half, we didn't slacken off, even when Chris (Crummey) was sent off, again for a very harsh second yellow card. We finished it out well," concluded the Dublin manager.
SCORERS - Dublin: D Burke 0-8 (0-4f, 0-1 '65'), E Conroy 1-2, R O'Dwyer 1-1, R McBride 0-2, C Crummey, E Dillon, F Mac Gib, C Bennett, C O'Sullivan 0-1 each. Cork: P Horgan 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 '65'), S Kingston 1-2, L Meade, M Coleman (0-1 '65'), A Cadogan, C Lehane 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: C Dooley; J Madden, E O’Donnell, S Barrett; B Quinn, L Rushe, C Crummey; C Conway, N McMorrow; E Conroy, R McBride, E Dillon; F Mac Gib, R O’Dwyer, D Burke. Subs: C Bennett for Quinn (49), C Mac Gabhann for Conway (59), C O’Sullivan for O’Dwyer (63), F Whitely for Dillon (67), D Fox for Burke (70).
CORK: A Nash; K Burke, D Griffin, C Spillane; C Joyce, M Ellis, M Coleman; B Cooper, D Kearney; L Meade, S Kingston, D Fitzgibbon; A Cadogan, P Horgan, S Harnedy. Subs: D Cahalane for Spillane (25), S McDonnell for Griffin (ht), C Lehane for Fitzgibbon (45), P Haughney for D Kearney (49).
REF: S Cleere (Kilkenny).

-----------------------------------------------

2016 SHC
CORK 1-26 DUBLIN 1-23

Dublin's championship summer was over after a pulsating battle with Cork in this 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).

---------------------------------------------------

2016 NHL
DUBLIN 4-21 CORK 2-17

Dublin's senior hurlers built on the momentum of their victory over Galway in the previous round when outclassing Cork in this NHL Division 1A clash at Croke Park.

Ger Cunningham's men put in arguably their best Croke Park display during his reign to run out ten-point victors and it should have been more as they conceded two late goals with the outcome well beyond debate.

A stunning first half period when Dublin hit 3-6 was the foundation for their victory with the goals coming from Eamonn Dillon, David Treacy and Seán McGrath between the 20th and 24th minutes.

The in-form David Treacy finished as top-scorer with 1-7 while Eamonn Dillon tallied 2-3 as his pace set off alarm bells in the opposition defence.

Cork settled well and led 0-4 to -2 early on but the accuracy of David Treacy from deadball soon had Dublin 0-6 to 0-4 to the good by the 15th minute.

Then the Dubs hit that purple patch to blitz Cork when scoring 3-6 - Eamonn Dillon accelerated away from Stephen McDonnell for their first goal after 20 minutes before turning provider for David Treacy to add a second same three minutes later.

By the interval Dublin were 12 points clear after Seán McGrath crashed home the third goal.

Nh Fionnbarra man Dillon grabbed his second goal past the midpoint of the second half as Dublin moved 4-14 to 0-11 clear.

There was slight consolation for Cork as Seamus Harnedy fired two injury-time goals to put some gloss on the scoreline.
SCORERS – Dublin: D Treacy 1-7 (0-5f), E Dillon 2-3, S McGrath 1-0, S Barrett, N McMorrow, M Schutte 0-2 each, L Rushe, J McCaffrey, D Plunkett, D O’Callaghan, S Treacy 0-1 each. Cork: P Horgan 0-7 (0-6f, 0-1 ‘65’), S Harnedy 2-0, C Lehane 0-4, L O’Farrell, P Haughney (0-1f) 0-2 each, B Cooper, B Lawton 0-1 each.
DUBLIN: C Dooley; E O’Donnell, C O’Callaghan, O Gough; S Barrett, L Rushe, J McCaffrey; D O’Connell, D Plunkett; S McGrath, N McMorrow, D Treacy; D O’Callaghan, M Schutte, E Dillon. Subs: C Cronin for McGrath (ht), J Boland for McCaffrey (58), S Treacy for D O’Callaghan (64), F McGibb for D Treacy (64), J Madden for C O’Callaghan (69)
CORK: A Nash; S McDonnell, K Burke, S McDonnell; D Cahalane, M Ellis, C Murphy; D Kearney, B Lawton; B Cooper, S Harnedy, C Lehane; L O’Farrell, P Cronin, P Horgan. Subs: L McLoughlin for C Murphy (27), P Haughney for Kearney (32), S Murphy for McDonnell (ht), P O’Sullivan for Cronin (45), W Leahy for Horgan (62)
REF: A Kelly (Galway).

-------------------------------

2013 ALL-IRELAND SHC SEMI-FINAL

CORK 1-24 DUBLIN 1-19

An exhilarating All-Ireland SHC semi-final in Croke Park. A fast-paced scorefest between two superbly conditioned, evenly-matched teams. The sides were level 15 times over the 70 minutes, ten times in the first half, and there was never more than a single score between them until Patrick Horgan’s game-deciding poacher’s goal in the 66th minute.

A major talking point was the dismissal of Dublin’s Ryan O’Dwyer. In the 51st minute Ryan was sent off on a second yellow card. The game was still finely balanced, Dublin a point ahead but Cork levelled from the resulting free when Cork keeper Anthony Nash boomed over from 85 metres to tie up the game, 1-16 to 0-19.

That wasn’t the end of Dublin, not by any means, and not until Horgan’s goal could Cork players and supporters in the crowd of 62,092 breathe easy.

David Treacy bagged the only goal of the opening half in the 30th minute, but Cork led by 0-15 to 1-11 at the interval thanks to a Daniel Kearney point.The sides were level on four times in the third quarter, and again with 11 minutes left on the clock, but Horgan's late goal and the sending off of Ryan O'Dwyer provided the platform Cork required for victory.

The game had it all, drama from start to finish, a tremendous atmosphere to boot, with the attendance of 62,092 left on the edge of their seats throughout.

Dublin, contesting their second All-Ireland semi-final in the space of three years were bidding to make their first final since 1961, with Cork aiming to bridge a far-shorter gap, eight years since they last contested a decider.

Amhrán na bhFiann had barely finished, and referee James Owens got the game off to start a minute before time, with Danny Sutcliffe reacting quickest as the St Jude's man put Dublin on the scoresheet after just 14 seconds.

Three minutes later Cork had firmly made amends for that early lapse as the Rebels raced into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead with Horgan, O'Farrell and Conor Lehane on target.

By the tenth minute the score stood at 0-4 apiece and already eight different players had got on the score-sheet, four for each side.

Dublin with a trio of scores, put them a point in front as Paul Ryan, David O'Callaghan and Conal Keaney helped them to a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after nine minutes.

O'Callaghan's point a particularly impressive effort, with the St Mark's clubman losing his balance, but still managing to fire the ball over the crossbar at the Hill 16 end.

A second McLoughlin point put Cork 0-5 to 0-4 ahead after 11 and a half minutes, but this lead wasn't held for long. The sides were level for the fourth time following Ryan's second point for Dublin, and although Cork took the lead following a third McLoughlin score, again Dublin equalised.

Points from Treacy and Sutcliffe pushed Dublin one-point clear as the first quarter drew to a close, but with this game on a knife-edge, it was tit-for-tat for the bulk of the remainder of this opening half.

Liam Rushe, Niall Corcoran and Paul Schutte were excelling in defence for Dublin, while at the opposite end, Anthony Nash was in superb form between the posts.

Cork took an 0-11 to 0-9 lead after 28 minutes following a third Horgan point, but Nash was caught for the only time in this game, after Cuala man Treacy ploughed through for Dublin's only goal.

Ryan provided the pass, as Treacy kicked the ball to the net in the 30th minute, with the Hill coming alive as Dublin moved 1-9 to 0-11 in front.
Cork rallied but Dublin were on the front foot for most of the remainder of the half.

However, Anthony Daly's side were guilty of six first half wides, with scores from Patrick Cronin and Daniel Kearney helping Cork to a 0-15 to 1-11 interval lead.

O'Dwyer fired an equaliser 72 seconds after the restart, with little to separate the sides in the opening stages of the second half.

Dublin moved 1-15 to 0-16 ahead by the 45th minute with substitute Shane Durkin, Sutcliffe and Paul Ryan on target.

However, O'Dwyer had a goal miss during this spell, with the centre-half-forward denied after an excellent block by Nash.

Nash went from score-stopper to score-getter in the second half, contributing three vital points from placed balls.

One of those coming with 19 minutes left on the clock, to tie the game for the 13th time on a 0-19 to 1-16 score-line.

Cork were more composed in the final quarter, as Dublin began to lose their focus in front of the posts following the dismissal of O'Dwyer for two yellow cards.

O'Dwyer clattered into McLoughlin to receive his second yellow, which seemed a fair call from referee Owens. But the first yellow for a shoulder on O’Farrell was questionable, and has been the source of much debate.

Paul Ryan hit four wides from frees in the closing 35 minutes, with Jamie Coughlan, Horgan and Nash bagging vital scores for the beaten Munster finalists.

Ryan did manage to cut the gap to a point with six and a half minutes remaining, following his sixth point, but Horgan's goal came two minutes later.

Despite plenty of chances for Dublin late on, Cork held out for victory with a point from substitute Stephen Moylan sealing victory deep into injury-time.

SCORERS - Cork: P Horgan (1-7, 0-5f), C Lehane, L McLoughlin, A Nash (3f) 0-3 each, S Harnedy, L O’Farrell 0-2 each, D Kearney, J Coughlan, P Cronin, S Moylan 0-1 each. Dublin: P Ryan 0-6 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’), D Treacy 1-1, D Sutcliffe 0-4, C Keaney, D O’Callaghan 0-2 each, J McCaffrey, J Boland, R O’Dwyer, S Durkin 0-1 each.

CORK: A Nash; S McDonnell, S O’Neill, C O’Sullivan; T Kenny, C Joyce, W Egan; L McLoughlin, D Kearney; S Harnedy, J Coughlan, P Cronin; L O’Farrell, P Horgan, C Lehane. Subs: S White for Kenny (45), C Naughton for Coughlan (64), S Moylan for Lehane (69).

DUBLIN: G Maguire; N Corcoran, P Kelly, P Schutte; S Hiney, L Rushe, M Carton; J McCaffrey, J Boland; C Keaney, R O’Dwyer, D Sutcliffe; D O’Callaghan, P Ryan, D Treacy. Subs: S Durkin for Hiney (23), S Lambert for Carton (50), M Schutte for Treacy (51), R Traynor for P Schutte (inj. 70+2).

REF: J Owens (Wexford).