Comprehensive win for Cork in Group A Allianz NHL

The outcome of this Allianz NHL game at St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Sunday was never in doubt. From the start the winners gained control in vital sectors and dominated all through.

Conor Cahalane opened with an early point. Shane Kingston and Conor Lehane worked well for Kingston to goal. In the 3rd minute Darragh Fitzgibbon soloed through and goaled. Brian Duignan replied for Offaly who trailed 2-1 to 0-1. Further pressure saw Mark Coleman and Tim O’Mahony work well for Robbie O’Flynn who pointed. A foul on Mark Keane led to a pointed free by Shane Kingston 2-3 to 0-1. Eoghan Cahill pointed a free after a foul on Brian Duignan. In the 9th minute Cork’s Shane Kingston pointed. A minute later Mark Coleman from a free made it 2-5 to 0-2. Offaly keeper Conor Clancy saved well from Mark Keane with the rebound going to the well placed Conor Lehane who netted, opening up a 12 point lead 3-5 to 0-2.

Eoghan Cahill was wide for Offaly. Mark Coleman pointed a free with Eoghan Cahill replying from a free. Mark Coleman landed a long range free with Shane Kingston soloing through for a point 3-8 to 0-3 after 19 minutes. A foul on David Nally led to another pointed free by Cahill in the 24th minute. Good play by Shane Kingston led to a Robbie O’Flynn point. Rain fell at this stage making conditions greasy. Good play by Eoghan Cahill led to a point by John Murphy.

Good play by Conor Cahalane led to a foul on Mark Coleman that Shane Kingston pointed. Eoghan Cahill and Shane Kingston swopped a pointed free as Cork led 3-10 to 0-7. Eoghan Cahill kept Offaly in touch with a free. Cork had two points by Conor Lehane and Robbie O’Flynn as they held an interval lead 3-12 to 0-8.

The trend was much the same on the changeover. Cork very much in control in the halfback line and midfield sectors continued to drive forward. Mark Keane moved to wing forward. Mark Coleman landed a long range free. Eoghan Cahill replied for Offaly. A foul on Mark Keane led to another Shane Kingston pointed free, 3- 14 to 0-9. Luke O’Connor and Darragh Fitzgibbon swopped a point. Eoghan Cahill replied in the 47th minute, 3-15 to 0-11. Darragh Fitzgibbon soloed through for a great point. In the 5lst minute good combined play by Tim O’Mahony and Fitzgibbon led to a Conor Lehane point. Eoghan Cahill (free) and Patrick Horgan after good play by Jack O’Connor sent over, 3-19 to 0-12. Jason Sampson pointed for Offaly. Good play by Mark Keane and Darragh Fitzgibbon led to the inrushing Keane landing a fine point, 3-20 to 0-13. Both sides made a number of substitutions. Shane Kingston (free) and Ben Conneely exchanged a point. Mark Keane worked well for Luke Meade who pointed under pressure. In the closing moments Sam Quirke placed Shane Kingston for a goal, 4-22 to 0-14. Eoghan Cahill had a late goal. Tim O’Mahony and Cormac O’Brien completed the scoring with late points for Cork.

Scorers for Cork: Shane Kingston 2- 8 (0-5f), Conor Lehane 1-2, Darragh Fitzgibbon 1- 2, Mark Coleman 0-4f, Robbie O’Flynn 0-2, Mark Keane 0-1,

Tim O’Mahony 0-1, Conor Cahalane 0-1, Patrick Horgan 0-1, Sam Quirke 0-1, Cormac O’Brien 0-1, Luke Meade 0-1. Offaly: Eoghan Cahill 1-9 (0-8f), John Murphy 0-2, Brian Duignan 0-1, Ben Conneely 0-1, Jason Sampson 0-1, Luke O’Connor 0-1.

Cork: Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), Damian Cahalane (St Finbarrs), Sean O’Donoghue (Inniscarra), Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), Mark Coleman (Blarney), Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville), Luke Meade (Newcestown), Conor Cahalane (St Finbarrs), Seamus Harnedy (St Itas), Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own), Shane Kingston (Douglas), Mark Keane (Ballygiblin), Conor Lehane (Midleton). Subs: Sean O’Leary-Hayes (Midleton) for Niall O’Leary, Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers) for Robbie O’Flynn, Colin O’Brien (Liscarroll-Churchtown Gaels) for Conor Cahalane, Tommy O’Connell (Midleton) for Seamus Harnedy, Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields) for Conor Lehane, Sam Quirke (Midleton) for Darragh Fitzgibbon.

Offaly: Conor Clancy (St Rynaghs), Joey Keenaghan (Clodiagh Gaels), Cian Burke (Durrow), Jack Screeney (Kilcormac-Killoughey), David King (Coolderry), Ben Conneely (capt) (St Ryanghs), Killian Sampson (Shinrone), Eimhinn Kelly (Lusmagh), Leon Fox (Belmont), Brian Duignan (Durrow), Liam Langton (Clodiagh Gaels), Eoghan Cahill (Birr), John Murphy (Ballinamere), Jason Sampson (Shinrone), David Nally (Belmont). Subs: Paddy Delaney (Kinnity) for Jack Screeney, Luke O’Connor (St Rynaghs) for David Nally (inj), Eoghan Parlon (Coolderry) for Brian Duignan, Adrian Cleary (Shinrone) for Liam Langton, Paddy Clancy (Belmont) for Leon Fox.

Referee: Sean Stack (Dublin).