ALL-IRELAND MFC SEMI-FINAL Cork 3-15 Galway 5-8:THIS STIRRING victory will surely enter the extensive Rebel catalogue of great escapes.
Despite the staggering fact that they trailed by nine points having conceded five goals in 44 minutes. Cork still had the nerve and wit to eke out a place in the All Ireland final.
Renowned for their character, Cork remained defiant and they chiselled down the deficit before hitting the front when it mattered most. Galway, who had contributed so much to a fast and free-flowing contest, were defeated as Cork booked a date with Tyrone.
Audacious late rallies have now brought Cork triumphs over Armagh and Galway at Croke Park and this success was a testament to their pluck and perseverance.
Brian Cuthbert’s charges exhibited the requisite spirit and skill once more and they will travel to the final in optimistic mood.
A lively first half was full of crisp, attacking football as Galway departed at the break armed with a slight advantage. Displaying a commendable willingness to move the ball with pace and purpose, Galway rattled the Cork net in the seventh minute.
Niall Walsh dashed down the left wing before locating Peadar Ó Griofa who rose highest to claim an aerial duel with Darren Murphy. Ó Griofa provided a cute finish and Galway were motoring smoothly.
That score separated the teams for most of the opening period, but Cork grabbed a goal of their own in the 29th minute to level. John O’Rourke, eager throughout, crafted the opportunity for Kevin Hallissey who tapped home a goal and it seemed as if the sides would end up level at the interval.
Galway, though, responded immediately and regained the initiative when substitute Dáithí Burke, an All-Ireland minor hurling winner last year, lofted the ball inside more in hope than expectation. Ó Griofa gathered possession and fired Galway into a 2-5 to 1-5 advantage.
The drama continued after the restart as the goals flowed with five struck during a wild third quarter. Brian Hurley banged Cork back on terms in the 33rd minute, and then Galway hit 2-1 on the spin. Niall Walsh and Conor Rabbitte grabbed the goals while Shane Maughan added a point.
All was going well for the Tribesmen and, though Cork replacement Dan McEoin rifled over a point, Rabbitte notched a 44th minute Galway goal and the underdogs led a freak tussle by 5-6 to 2-6.
Under duress, Cork summoned a passionate riposte as Damian Cahalane drove them forward from centrefield. Hallissey clipped an opportunistic 45th minute goal and Cork, aided by some controversial calls from ref Eddie Kinsella, took maximum advantage.
A flurry of points brought them back back to parity with three minutes remaining. It was a splendid encounter as a Maughan free nudged Galway in front, Hurley levelled. Then Maughan landed a glorious effort from play, but Hurley responded with a free.
In the third minute of additional time Cork were awarded another dubious close range free by referee Kinsella, and Hurley was ice cool again to slot the winner.
CORK: D Hanrahan; J Goggin, M O'Shea, D Murphy; D Lester, T Clancy, J Wall (0-1); J Burns, D Cahalane (0-2); J O'Rourke (0-1), D Fitzgerald (0-1, free), A Cronin; K Hallissey (2-2), M Sugrue (0-2), B Hurley (1-5, five frees). Subs: D McEoin (0-1)for Fitzgerald (29 mins), K Fulignati for Murphy (37), C O'Sullivan for Goggin (41), S O'Mahony for Sugrue (46), T Hegarty for Lester (49).
GALWAY: J Keane; C MacDonnacha, J Shuaghnessy, P Varley; M Loughnane, M Kelly, J Vaughan; E Commins, T Flynn; N Quinn (0-1), F O'Curraoin, N Walsh (1-1); P O'Griofa (2-1, one free), C Rabbitte (2-1), S Maughan (0-3, one free). Subs: D Burke for Vaughan (21 mins), C O'Neill (0-1)for Commins (25), F O'Bearra for Quinn (44), A Varley for Walsh (53 mins), D Black for MacDonnacha (58 mins).
Referee: E Kinsella(Laois).
