Galway 2-17 Cork 2-13:GALWAY BLEW the league semi-final race wide open by inflicting a first defeat on Cork and raising their own hopes at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.
It was an unlikely win for the visitors, who trailed by eight points at one point during a wind-assisted opening half, but showed courage in a stirring second period.
The game came to life once Galway jumped in front for the first time, after Cork goalkeeper and captain Dónal Óg Cusack was blocked by substitute Joe Cooney and Damien Hayes slapped in a much-needed Galway goal.
It gave them a 1-12 to 1-11 advantage, though it didn’t last long because Cork grabbed their second goal two minutes later, Paudie O’Sullivan crossing from the right for midfielder Lorcan McLoughlin to ghost in unmarked and score.
Galway’s response, however, was revealing: midfielder Andy Smith and marksman Niall Burke reclaimed the lead with points, though Cork’s dynamic youngster Conor Lehane brought his side level twice with scores, including a super effort way out on the right.
Galway stunned the big crowd, by netting a magnificent winning goal a minute from the end of regulation time. Cooney was again involved, setting up Burke, whose first-time pull was unstoppable.
And Burke put the seal on the victory by pointing as the tie entered injury time, by which time Cork were running on empty.
Such an outcome appeared most unlikely after Cork led by 1-9 to 0-7 at the end of a timid enough first half, during which Galway registered nine wides compared to the opponents’ two.
A far sharper home side dominated all areas despite playing against the strong wind and Patrick Horgan’s free-taking punished over-zealous Galway tackling.
Cork jumped 0-7 to 0-2 after 26 minutes before they sliced open the Galway defence to bag the first goal. Jamie Coughlan won a good ball near the touchline before picking out Paudie O’Sullivan. Naughton timed his run perfectly to take O’Sullivan’s offload and beat James Skehill from close range.
Galway made changes in attack and finished the half by outscoring Cork 0-5 to 0-2, with hard-working midfielder David Burke getting among the scores.
Freetaker Niall Burke added three to leave Cork just five clear.
Galway were grateful for Skehill’s brilliant save three minutes into the second half, when he denied Coughlan in a one-on-one.
Slowly Galway got to grips with proceedings, midfielders David Burke and Smith linking well with a Fergal Moore-inspired half-back line. Niall Burke’s three points in as many minutes cut the lead to the minimum. Lehane edged Cork two in front, but Hayes’s goal altered the game’s complexion.
CORK: D Óg Cusack (captain); S O’Neill; D Cahalane; B Murphy; T Kenny; J Gardiner; W Egan; L McLoughlin (1-0); S Óg hAilpín; C Lehane (0-5); P Cronin; C Naughton (1-0); P Horgan (0-6, 6f); P O’Sullivan (0-1); J Coughlan (0-1). Subs: D Sweetman for Naughton 55 mins; M O’Sullivan for Horgan (61); N McCarthy for Kenny (63)
GALWAY: J Skehill; D Connolly; D Collins; G O’Halloran; N Donoghue; F Moore (captain); J Coen; D Burke (0-2); A Smith (0-2); C Coomey; N Burke (1-10, 7f); I Tannian (0-1); D Hayes (1-1); J Regan; B Burke. Subs: D Glennon (0-1) for Regan and C Donnellan for Cooney both 24 mins; T Haran for D Hayes (67)
Referee: J Owens (Wexford)
