Allianz Football League Division Two

GALWAY 0-14 CORK 1-11

By Cian O'Connell at Pearse Stadium

A wild and exciting final quarter culminated with the spoils being divided following a splendid last gasp point by Galway substitute Cathal Sweeney.

In a game that featured several eye catching cameos from replacements, Cork, boosted by the introduction of Colm O’Neill, who struck five second half points, led by two late on.

Galway, though, remained calm as Under 21 player Cillian McDaid and Sweeney nailed scores to ensure the spoils were shared.

During a frenetic climax Cork had Brian O’Driscoll sent off for a second bookable offence as Galway summoned a brave late rally.

Despite failing to score in the first 17 minutes Cork went in 1-3 to 0-5 ahead at the interval as Paul Kerrigan grabbed an opportunistic first half goal.

Mark Collins rifled over two opening period points for Peadar Healy’s team, but Galway responded well after the restart.

Barry McHugh registered six points for Galway, who moved 0-9 to 1-3 in front by the 43rd minute, but Cork replied once more.

Cork struck five of the next seven scores with John O’Rourke and the excellent O’Neill as the teams were deadlocked with eight minutes remaining.

Gary O’Donnell guided Galway in front, but O’Neill (2) and Ruairi Deane nudged the visitors into a 1-11 to 0-12 advantage, but McDaid and Sweeney supplied the last two scores of an eventful encounter.

Scorers for Galway: Barry McHugh 0-6 (6fs), Danny Cummins 0-3 (1f), Declan Kyne 0-1, Gary O’Donnell 0-1, Paul Conroy 0-1, Cillian McDaid 0-1, Cathal Sweeney 0-1.

Scorers for Cork: Colm O’Neill 0-5 (1f), Paul Kerrigan 1-0, Mark Collins 0-2, Ruairi Deane 0-1, Luke Connolly 0-1, John O’Rourke 0-1, Niall Coakley 0-1 (f).

GALWAY: Ruairi Lavelle; Declan Kyne, David Walsh, Luke Burke; Gary O'Donnell, Gareth Bradshaw, Johnny Heaney; Paul Conroy, Michael Day; Tom Flynn, Damien Comer, Eamonn Brannigan; Danny Cummins, Barry McHugh, Sean Armstrong.

Subs: Cillian McDaid for Eamonn Brannigan (42 mins), Michael Daly for Sean Armstrong (46 mins), Enda Tierney for Tom Flynn (52 mins), Peter Cooke for Michael Day (69 mins), Cathal Sweeney for Johnny Heaney (70 mins).

CORK: Ryan Price; John McLoughlin, Tom Clancy, James Loughrey; Conor Dorman, Kevin Crowley, Tomas Clancy; Aidan Walsh, Ruairi Deane; Ian Maguire, Mark Collins, Sean Powter; Niall Coakley, Luke Connolly, Paul Kerrigan.

Subs: Colm O'Neill for Coakley (45 mins), John O'Rourke for Sean Powter (48 mins), Brian O'Driscoll for Conor Dorman (52 mins), Donnacha O'Connor for Luke Connolly (60 mins), Barry O'Driscoll for Ian Maguire (67 mins), Gary Murphy for Paul Kerrigan (70 mins)

REFEREE: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).