Allianz Hurling League Division 1A: Galway 1-27 Cork 1-21

By Cian O'Connell

Micheal Donoghue's Galway registered an impressive Allianz Hurling League Division 1A victory at Pearse Stadium.

In an open encounter Galway had too much craft for Cork, who were punished by the locals.

A lively first half sprinkled with splendid scores eventually ended with Galway departing armed with a 1-15 to 1-9 interval lead.

Cork had pounced for a delightful 11th minute goal when Séamus Harnedy rattled the Galway net following smart work by Cormac Murphy and Patrick Horgan.

Moments later Galway custodian James Skehill was forced to make a decent save from substitute Luke O'Farrell, but the Tribesmen responded.

With Joe Canning and Davy Glennon sharp in attack Galway narrowed the gap to a point before the Corribsiders grabbed a goal.

Canning's deft flick enabled Niall Burke to race clear and the Oranmore-Maree forward batted the sliotar past Anthony Nash.

At centrefield David Burke contributed handsomely as Galway, who hit 1-15 from 25 opening period shots, led by six at the break.

After the restart three Horgan points trimmed the deficit, but Galway then reeled off 0-6 without reply.

Canning, Pádraig Brehony, Conor Whelan, Cathal Mannion, and Glennon all landed efforts from play during a terrific burst from the Tribesmen.

Six of the next eight points were struck by Kieran Kingston's Cork outfit, but Brehony clipped an important score for Galway, who were 1-24 to 1-18 ahead with five minutes remaining.

Cork continued to battle, but Canning nailed a gorgeous point following a clever flick from the creative Mannion, who was prominent.

Donoghue will be hoping Galway can build on this satisfying start against Dublin at Parnell Park next Saturday, while Cork face Waterford at Páirc Uí Rinn.

*** 

Scorers for Galway: J Canning 0-9 (7fs), N Burke 1-2, D Glennon 0-4, D Burke 0-3, C Whelan 0-3, C Mannion 0-2, P Brehony 0-2, A Harte 0-1, G Lally 0-1 (f).

**Scorers for Cork: **P Horgan 0-9 (5fs), S Harnedy 1-0, B Cooper 0-2, P O’Sullivan 0-2, A Cadogan 0-1, C Murphy 0-1, L O’Farrell 0-1, C Lehane 0-1, L McLoughlin 0-1, C McCarthy 0-1, D Cahalane 0-1, A Nash 0-1 (f).

Galway: J Skehill; J Coen, J Hanbury, P Hoban; P Mannion, G Lally, A Harte; A Tuohy, David Burke; P Brehony, C Mannion, N Burke; C Whelan, J Canning, D Glennon. Subs: D Collins for Tuohy (36 mins), J Flynn for Glennon (55 mins), A Smith for Harte (67 mins), F Moore for Hoban (67 mins) 

Cork: A Nash; S O’Neill, C Joyce, S McDonnell; A Walsh, W Egan, D Cahalane; C Murphy, L McLoughlin; B Cooper, P O’Sullivan, P Cronin; A Cadogan, S Harnedy, P Horgan. Subs: L O’Farrell for Harnedy (12 mins), D Kearney for Murphy (49 mins), C Lehane for Cadogan (51 mins), B Lawton for O’Sullivan (58 mins), C McCarthy for Cronin (58 mins).

Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath).