THE boot Colm Corkery made a major contribution to Cork's escape from a Division Two defeat by Leitrim, in a sparkling display of football at Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick on Shannon yesterday.
In a sensational start, Cork had the ball in the Leitrim net after two minutes when Danny Culloty ended a move involving Colm Corkery and Liam O'Brien. Leitrim struck back quickly and cancelled the arrears in a five minute spell with, scores from Padraig Kenny, Brian Duignan, and Jason Ward.
Two Corkery pointed frees in the 11th and 14th minute restored, Cork's advantage and when Leitrim up peel the tempo in the second quarter it was Corker who once again came to Cork's rescue, scoring his side's remaining three points of the half. In the 30th minute a Colin McGlynn volley hit the underside of the Cork crossbar and fell to Gene Bohan who, was subsequently up ended. Referee Pat McEneaney immediately pointed to the spot and the resultant penalty goal by Colin McGlynn put Leitrim 1-7 to 1-5 ahead at the interval.
Another Corkery pointed free on the resumption reduced the Leitrim lead, but a brace of points by Jason Ward within a minute gave the home team, the edge once more. A succession of Cork points from Paul McGrath, Danny Culloty. and Liar Honohan (two) put Cork back in front, but Leitrim's, Padraig McLoughlin levelled with a 41st minute point.
A Colin Corkery point from a 45 at the end of the third quarter quickly follow by a Liam Honohan tree from play widened Cork's lead, but in the 49th minute disaster struck, for Cork when coiner back Kevin Cowhig was sent off for a foul on Leitrim's Padraig Kenny.
The resultant pointed tree by Gene Bohan left just, one point between the sides. with Leitrim mounting a succession of attacks.
It is to Cork's credit that they refused to panic and turning misfortune into advantage, they kept Leitrim at bay with outstanding displays from Culloty and Honohan in midfield. Three further Cork points from Kieran O'Sullivan, Paul McGrath and Colm Corkery without reply put Cork four points ahead with five minutes left.
Leitrim pushed forward in numbers, but their forwards wasted several scoring opportunities and Cork breathed a sigh of relief on the full time whistle, having fashioned a well deserved victory against all the odds.
