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DUBLIN 2-21
CORK 7-26
Dublin’s hopes of advancing to their first All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship decider since 1961 were dashed as they succumbed to a clinical Cork by twenty points at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.
The writing was on the wall by half-time as the Dubs trailed by 4-13 to 1-12 at half-time with Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly bagging a brace of goals apiece for the Rebels with Cian O’Sullivan replying for Dublin.
Any hopes that Dublin could launch a second-half comeback were dispelled in the third quarter as Tim O’Mahony raised two green flags of his own and while Dublin continued to offer a viable threat at the opposite end, they had to concede second best to the Munster champions.
It was the Dublin that raced from the blocks with O’Sullivan opening the scoring within fifteen seconds only for Cork to strike back through successive points by Declan Dalton (free) and Brian Hayes.
While Seán Currie restored parity with a 5th minute free, their opponents pounced for the game’s opening goal two minutes later as an intricate move down the left wing was finished to the net by Hayes.
Despite Fergal Whitely scoring two points in quick succession by way of riposte, the momentum was all with Cork in the opening quarter as they moved further clear through a brace of Patrick Horgan frees.
Matters deteriorated for Dublin as Connolly pounced for Cork’s second goal in the 12thminute and his deft flick to the net past Seán Brennan two minutes later saw the Rebels move nine points clear.
The Dubs were in dire need of inspiration at this stage and it duly arrived in an instant as Currie showed great composure in picking out O’Sullivan, who left Patrick Collins helpless with a rising shot from twelve yards.
A point from Dublin’s Brian Hayes saw them reduce their arrears to five points but the Rebels struck back with three points on the bounce from Darragh Fitzgibbon, Dalton and Connolly to reaffirm their control on the scoreboard.
Dublin were terribly unfortunate not to add a second goal in the 20th minute as Whitely’s powerful shot cannoned to safety off the crossbar with Collins well beaten.
They managed to gain reward for some enterprising play as Conor Burke fired over two points but the concession of a fourth goal to Hayes in the 32nd minute saw them face an uphill task at the turnaround as they faced an eleven-point arrears.
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