Harnedy delight at maintaining Allianz Hurling League Division 1A status
Seamus Harnedy struck a vital goal for Cork against Galway.
By Cian O'Connell
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Seamus Harnedy was thrilled that Cork demonstrated class and character when winning Sunday's crunch Allianz Hurling League Division 1A relegation play/off against Galway at Pearse Stadium.
Two late goals from Harnedy and Patrick Horgan sealed a stirring Cork success as Kieran Kingston's charges maintained their top flight status.
Having lost their previous five matches in the competition Harnedy was encouraged by how Cork coped during a lively encounter in Salthill.
“Definitely, it was great to get the monkey off the back," Harnedy said about the long awaited victory. "It would have been great earlier in the league to get a win against Kilkenny, but we got hit with a sucker punch late on that night. It was tough to get back going after that, but we knew we’d be either going to Thurles or Salthill.
“We knew that’d be a tough match - we had the same experience back in 2013, so we knew what was involved. Every team wants to preserve their Division 1A status, and we’re delighted to have maintained that for next year.”
Trailing by three points in the closing stages Harnedy struck an opportunistic 61st minute goal to inject Cork's challenge with momentum.
“The goal came with a big slice of luck, to be honest," Harnedy commented. "I turned onto my right and said I’d have a pop - it took a ricochet and then a very awkward hop past James Skehill.
“We stuck to our guns and kept chipping away at Galway’s lead. I know fellas have been questioning our character, but there’s a great bunch of lads there. We stuck to our guns, thank God, and we just got over the line.
“I had a bout of illness, I was in bed for a few days and off work, I was just delighted to be back out there playing on Sunday.
"The lungs were burning for the last few minutes of the game, but we’re delighted because Salthill is such a tough place to come. Down through the years Cork teams have found it hard to get a win here, so we’re happy out.
“There was a small bit of luck that we had on Sunday that we didn’t have in other games in the league. We’re just delighted with the win, and it’s back to the drawing board now again.”