Cork 0-12 Monaghan 0-10:A BLISTERING START to the second half enabled Cork inflict a damaging first defeat of the season on Monaghan at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday night.
The result should help preserve Cork's Division Two status, but the Ulster county face a nervous conclusion before the promotion places are settled.
Monaghan finished the opening half strongly to turn around 0-6 to 0-5 in front, but on the resumption they were met by a whirlwind home side who rattled up seven points without reply as the visitors went scoreless for 24 minutes.
Such was Cork's stranglehold after half-time that they added five points inside eight minutes, their young guns Fintan Goold and Daniel Goulding leading the way, capitalising on the dominance of the midfielders Nicholas Murphy and Alan O'Connor.
Even Murphy's enforced departure following a clash of heads with Conor McManus did not disrupt Cork's rhythm as Michael Cussen moved out from full-forward to help his team monopolise possession.
Goulding pointed twice in quick succession to help Cork lead by 0-12 to 0-6 after 50 minutes as Monaghan struggled to keep in touch.
The visitors eventually settled and forced Cork onto the back foot for much of the remaining time.
Tommy Freeman's accuracy from frees produced four points on the trot to leave Cork hanging on to a two-point lead entering injury time.
In one last, frantic attempt to snatch a winning goal Freeman found himself in space to the left only for the Cork substitute Anthony Lynch to bravely block his shot.
Monaghan enjoyed a much better start as well, surging forward impressively to sweep 0-4 to 0-1 in front after 15 minutes, Freeman and Paul Finlay particularly impressive.
Despite accumulating nine wides in the period Cork finally found their range, registering four points without response, Goold and Goulding causing most of the damage.
They had sneaked 0-5 to 0-4 in front after 27 minutes only for Monaghan to draw level when Freeman pointed a free before Finlay scored with a brilliant sideline kick moments later.
Then came Cork's remarkable early second-half blitz to turn the game on its head and allow them to go on to clinch victory.
CORK:A Quirke; D Duggan, G Canty, captain, K O'Connor; P Kissane, G Spillane, J Miskella; N Murphy, A O'Connor (0-1); S O'Brien (0-1), F Goold (0-3), K McMahon; D Goulding (0-5, 0-1 free), M Cussen, D O'Connor (0-2, one free). Subs: J Masters for Murphy injured (40 mins), A Lynch for K O'Connor (63 mins), C McCarthy for D O'Connor (69 mins).
MONAGHAN:P McBennett; D Mone, JP Mone, C Flanagan; D Freeman, captain, D Hughes, P McGuigan; D Clerkin, E Lennon; C McManus, P Finlay (0-2, 0-1 sideline), S Gollogly; R Woods (0-1), V Corey, T Freeman (0-7, five frees). Subs: R Ronaghan for Finlay (48 mins), D McArdle for Flanagan (50 mins), C Hanratty for Gollogly (53 mins), Finlay for McManus (69 mins).
Referee:S Doyle (Wexford).
