PLAYER RATINGS

Anthony Nash

Unlucky with Michael Walsh’s goal in the first half, he saved brilliantly from Pauric Mahony. Some of his ball usage was less than perfect in second period but not alone in that regard.

Stephen McDonnell

Coped well with the challenge of Austin Gleeson in the first half, despite being further from goal and having to play on the turn.

Damien Cahalane

Like McDonnell, was lured from the full-back line and ended his campaign with a sending-off. Shouldn’t overshadow a very positive year.

Colm Spillane

Did well on his first appearance for Cork in Croke Park and restricted Shane Bennett’s scoring opportunities.

Christopher Joyce

Won’t want to relive what was effectively the game’s turning point, as he ceded possession to Austin Gleeson, who set up Jamie Barron for his first goal. Didn’t let his head drop, though.

Mark Ellis

Did well as a free man in front of Cahalane in Munster but found the going tough here. Had some good moments but wasn’t as influential as usual.

Mark Coleman

In the long run, he will benefit from having gone up against someone as wily as Michael Walsh. Was showing signs of his Munster form early in the second half.

Bill Cooper

Had a first half to forget but, like many of his team-mates, did enjoy a better opening 15 minutes of the second half.

Darragh Fitzgibbon

Another who took a while to adjust to Croke Park, all the tougher against Barron and Kevin Moran. Scored an excellent sideline cut.

Luke Meade

Still recovering from a broken finger, he struggled to get into the game and was replaced by Michael Cahalane at half-time.

Conor Lehane

Was well restricted by Conor Gleeson for much of the game and when he found scoring opportunities in the first half he couldn’t take advantage of them.

Shane Kingston

Fouled for an early Horgan free and then scored a fine point himself, but couldn’t use that as a platform upon which to build.

Alan Cadogan

Struggling with illness beforehand, he was denied quality possession for much of the game but it says a lot about him that he still managed two points.

Patrick Horgan

Cork’s stand-out performer, scoring 12 points with five from play. His two in the wake of the sending off looked to be a clarion call of resoluteness but it wasn’t to be.

Seamus Harnedy

Scored a point but didn’t impose himself on the game in the way that he can.

Subs

Michael Cahalane was on for Meade at half-time but starved of quality possession as Cork went long too often when the Cork inside line were outnumbered. Daniel Kearney and Luke O’Farrell were brought on with five minutes left, O’Farrell did snaffle a point.