Allianz HL D1A: Cork cruise to victory

Allianz Hurling League Division 1A

Cork 6-26 Offaly 0-20

Goalscoring power helped Cork to ease clear of Offaly at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night as they booked a spot in a second successive Allianz HL Division 1A final.

A clash with Limerick in a fortnight gives the Rebels the chance to retain the title they were waiting 27 years to win; they knew that a win or a draw here would guarantee them passage – as things transpired, they would have advance with a loss, but a home defeat was never likely.

They were set on their way with an early Barry Walsh goal, but it took time to get on top as Offaly contended well, with Dan Ravenhill impressing for them. With 22 minutes gone, it was 1-5 to 0-6, but Alan Connolly’s frees pushed Cork into a seven-point advantage before two goals coming up to half-time allowed them to solidify the advantage.

First, Hugh O’Connor’s delivery was deftly met by Brian Hayes in the air to divert the ball past Liam Hoare, who had earlier helped to prevent a couple of other Cork goal chances. Cork were fortunate in that a third goal arrived immediately after, with Darragh Fitzgibbon gifted a loose ball close ball close to goal before firing home.

A 3-10 to 0-7 advantage with the wind to come meant the outcome was inevitable and Cork found a greater attacking fluency in the second half, under-pinned by the impact of subs William Buckley and Declan Dalton, showcasing the competition for places.

Just after Dalton slung over a lovely ball from the left, they had a fourth goal as Mark Coleman’s pass allowed Hayes to demonstrate super ball control before a batted finish; as in the opening period, a goal from him was followed by one from Fitzgibbon to make it 5-15 to 0-10.

Their sixth goal came not long after, Tim O’Mahony with a crashing finish, and though Offaly’s Adam Screeney did keep their tally ticking over, the visitors never threatened a goal.

Cork sub Pádraig Power marked his return to action after 14 months out with a pair of points while another replacement, Robbie O’Flynn, almost had another goal at the death, but Hoare diverted his shot over the bar.

Scorers for Cork: Alan Connolly 0-8 (8fs), Darragh Fitzgibbon 2-2 (1f), Brian Hayes 2-1, Mark Coleman 0-3, Barry Walsh, Tim O’Mahony 1-0 each, Shane Barrett, Pádraig Power, Declan Dalton (1f), William Buckley 0-2 each, Eoin Downey, Brian Keating, Hugh O’Connor, Robbie O’Flynn 0-1 each.

Scorers for Offaly: Adam Screeney 0-7 (4fs), Dan Ravenhill 0-4, Brian Duignan 0-3, Daniel Bourke 0-2, Sam Bourke, Brecon Kavanagh, Ross Ravenhill, Jack Clancy 0-1 each.

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O’Leary, Ciarán Joyce, Seán O’Donoghue; Eoin Downey, Robert Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O’Mahony, Tommy O’Connell; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Shane Barrett, Hugh O’Connor; Barry Walsh, Alan Connolly, Barry Hayes.

Subs: Declan Dalton for Connolly, William Buckley for Walsh (both half-time), Robbie O’Flynn for Hayes (48), Pádraig Power for Fitzgibbon (53), Brian Keating for O’Mahony (59).

Offaly: Liam Hoare; Cathal King, Ben Conneely, Brecon Kavanagh; Ross Ravenhill, Killian Sampson, Donal Shirley; Eimhin Kelly, Dan Ravenhill; Ter Guinan, Daniel Bourke, Conor Doyle; Oisín Kelly, Brian Duignan, Adam Screeney.

Subs: Colin Spain for Eimhin Kelly, Luke Nolan for Oisín Kelly (both half-time), Sam Bourke for King (46), Jack Clancy for Doyle (54), Eoghan Cailll for Guinan (62).

Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).