Close win for Cork in round 1

Cork 1-19 Louth 1-17 Cork had two points to spare over Louth in round 1 Section 1 of the All-Ireland Senior FC at Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Saturday. It was a keenly contested game all through with both sides having their moments.

Cork had the aid of the stiff breeze in the opening half. Brian Hurley who excelled for the Rebels, opened the scoring from a free. Craig Lennon worked well and pointed for Louth. Micheal A Martin saved well from Donal McKenny. Sam Mulroy had a '45 come back off the post. A foul on Anthony Williams led to a pointed free by Mulroy and in the 12th minute, Conor Earley pointed. Cork replied through Killian O'Hanlon and then had the ball in the net when Tommy Walsh worked well for Ian Maguire. However, the goal was disallowed.

Soon after, Cork goaled when Ruairi Deane worked well for Brian O'Driscoll, leaving it 1-2 to 0-3. Sam Mulroy followed with a free. Colm O'Callaghan and Sam Mulroy exchanged points.

Points for Cork from Sean Powter, Brian Hurley (2) and Ian Maguire were followed by Louth points (Peter Lynch and Sam Mulroy, a free) in the 38th minute, as Cork led 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time, having been well on top, out-scoring Louth 1-7 to 0-4.

In the second half, Cork had points from Chris Og Jones and Brian Hurley following a foul on Killian O'Hanlon. Louth had just one point in the 39th minute from Sam Mulroy. Cork moved 1-11 to 0-8 clear.

Louth had their goal from Liam Jackson following a short kick out. Colm O'Callaghan and Ciaran Downey swopped points as the lead was now down to two points, 1-12 to 1-10. Tommy Durnan with a long range point closed the gap to a single point. Dylan McKeown kept Louth in touch with a point and Louth then levelled.

The Leinster side hit the front when Sam Mulroy kicked his 8th point with 11 minutes remaining. Cork showed great battling qualities and Brian Hurley levelled from a free. Good play by Ruairi Deane and Ian Maguire led to a point from Brian O'Driscoll. Louth succeeded in getting the lead back to a point and also had two wides.

Louth needed a late goal to salvage a win however they could only record a point by Conor Grimes, following good play by Donal McKeever. In the end, Cork held out for victory with points from Brian Hurley and John O’Rourke.

Cork: Miceal A Martin (Nemo Rangers), Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O'Mahony (Knocknagree), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig), Sean Meehan (Kiskeam), Mattie Taylor (Mallow), Colm O'Callaghan (Eire Og – 0-2), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr's – 0-2), Brian O'Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaighs – 1-1), Ruairi Dean (Bantry Blues), Killian O'Hanlon (Kilshannig – 0-1), Sean Powter (Douglas – 0-1), Brian Hurley (capt – Castlehaven; 0-8; 0-6f), Chris Og Jones (Iveleary – 0-1). Subs: Kevin O'Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for Sean Meehan (inj), Stephen Sherlock (St Finbarr's – 0-1) for Sean Powter; Cian Kiely for Walsh; Eoghan McSweeney for O'Hanlon; Conor Corbett (0-1) for Jones; John O'Rourke (0-1) for B Hurley.

Referee: Martin McAvally (Monaghan).