Intermediates fall short to the Cats in Pairc Nua
Kilkenny 2-23 Cork 2-18
CORK hopes of winning silverware at the re-opening of Pairc Uí Chaoimh ended in disappointment on incurring defeat to reigning holders Kilkenny in the All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship Final last Sunday.
With the sides on level terms eight times during the course of the opening half, the Rebels looked well positioned on resuming with a breeze at their back and a goal soon after the restart appeared to put Cork in the driving seat.
Cork entered the fray in the unusual position of appearing in an All Ireland Final without a competitive game whereas defending champions Kilkenny paraded a new look side that came through a provincial decider. And as the game aged, the previous outing stood to Kilkenny, putting heart and soul into a gritty revival that assumed control with a purple patch midway through the second half yielding a 2-7 tally and conceding just a single point confirmed a spell of rewarding pressure.
Not too much between the sides all during the opening half, Cork operating against the breeze shading general play. Central to Cork’s commanding efforts was the input of Shane Hegarty, Shane and Donnacha O’Donovan in defence with Michael Collins involved in midfield as were Will Leahy and David Drake in attack.
With the team content to trade points for parity at 0-6 apiece by the quarter of hour mark, Charleville’s Danny Flynn pointed before Cork passed up on a chance of a goal, Leahy elected to point with Seán O’Leary isolated and close to the target.
That presented Kilkenny with a test of their composure and in fairness, their response was calm and effective, talisman Robbie Donnolly pointing back to back for parity. With the standard of play improving, Cork again edged ahead, Leahy finding the target delightfully from out on the wing.
However the sides remained evenly matched, Kilkenny finished on a productive note, points to Paul Holden and Donnelly helped forge a 0-11 to 0-10 grip at the break.
Cork resumed with two personel changes, Tom Lawrence and the influencial Rob O’Shea introduced. Indeed the tempo rose a notch, Cork ‘keeper Patrick Collins saved well from Tom Phelan before Cork appeared to grab a breakthrough, O’Shea splashed a work of art on a marvellous pass to Jerry O’Neill to fire home a goal to inspire. For a spell, Cork piled on the pressure, Seán Hayes, O’Shea and Leahy added on points.
That left Kilkenny with a big challenge and their response was effective through the workrate of Barry Whelan and John Cahill in defence, J P Treacy and Martin Keoghan controlled midfield with Edward Delaney, Holden and Donnelly effective upfront. Indeed the re-energised Cats made it clear, they were in a game as Holden, Keoghan and Donnelly chipped in with points for parity.
Indeed the momentum remained with Kilkenny, Donnelly fired home a goal from a penalty on 49 minutes, Cork custodian Collins fouled Darragh Brennan after initially keeping out a Martin Power shot. Now Kilkenny sensed Cork were on the ropes, delivering a further wounding blow four minutes later, Collins batted away a delivery from Treacy only for substitute Tom Phelan whip on the rebound and rattle the Cork net.
Kilkenny had clearly raised their game against the breeze, carrying the wall well intelligently out of defence and directing accurate passes up front that saw Delaney and Donnelly oblige on follow up points for the champions. Incredibly, Kilkenny had shouted out their masterly to built up a nine point advantage entering the latter stages. Cork did mount a late rally, O’Shea grabbed a goal with Leahy and Michael Collins adding points yet there was never any danger of Kilkenny letting their commanding lead slip to savour a deserved victory at the full time whistle. CORK: P Collins (Ballinhassig); B O’Sullivan (Fermoy), S O’Donovan (Mayfield), S Hegarty (Dungourney); K Morrison (Fermoy), D O’Donovan (Ballinhassig), K Kavanagh (Carrigaline); D O’Flynn (Charleville) 0-1, M Collins (Ballinhassig) 0-2; D Casey (Charleville), N Kelly (Mayfield), J O’Neill (Courcey Rovers) 1-1; S Hayes (Mallow) 0-6 (5f, 0-1 sl), W Leahy (Aghada) 0-4, D Drake (Carrigaline) 0-2. Subs: T Lawrence (Brian Dillons) for Morrison (HT), R O’Shea (Carrigaline) 1-2 (0-1f) for Casey(HT); J Cooper (Éire Óg) for