Fotballers put it Up to Dubs in Narrow Defeat

By Aaron CaseyDublin 2-14 Cork 2-10Dublin narrowly prevailed in a hugely entertaining game in the National Football League at headquarters this evening. The away side started most promisingly with a blistering display out of the blocks, taking a 1-4 to no score lead after twenty minutes. Colm O’Neill had a hand in all five scores; converting two frees, striking one from play and feeding Paul Kerrigan, who stitched a point off his right-leg. The goal emanated from a penalty, given as Peter Kelleher was fouled as he tried to win a lobbed ball from Luke Connolly. O’Neill blasted the penalty to Dublin keeper Michael Savage’s left. Cork were flying, surprising everyone after a heavy home loss to Roscommon last weekend.Dublin responded in the best way possible. Cian O’Sullivan’s crossfield ball was collected by Bernard Brogan, who offloaded to the onrushing Diarmuid Connolly. The St. Vincent’s man clinically finished into the bottom corner. Full-forward Paddy Andrews further narrowed the gap with a point just after the ball been picked out of the net.Dublin’s danger men Bernard Brogan and Paddy Andrews were being well held by Jamie O’Sullivan and Eoin Cadogan respectively in the Cork full-back line. The defensive play by Cork was strong throughout the first-half. What was more admirable was the fantastic attitude evident.This spirit was further shown by Kerrigan who brilliantly kept in the ball on the endline after it looked like the liathróid was going to win the battle. His clever handpass across the goal was palmed into the net by Peter Kelleher. The lead was further extended by a free converted by Cork’s Connolly – Luke of Nemo Rangers. The sides traded two points each to make the score Cork 2-7 Dublin 1-3 at half-time on a cold night on Jones’ Road.Dublin started the second-half knowing they must atone for an error-strewn opening period. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the size 5 and put Cork under huge pressure as they went forward repeatedly. The response of the Rebel’s was negative. They gave away multiple frees allowing Dublin back into the game a little too easily.The litany of frees given away made a Johnny Wilkinson of Cormac Costello as he pointed eight times in the second-half from dead-ball scenarios. On the other side Daniel Goulding had a nightmare with his frees, his boots seemed to be programmed to not connect properly with the ball.Dublin got nine points without reply to put themselves two in front late on. Cork nearly plundered another goal when a goalmouth scramble resulting from a high delivery in by Kerrigan saw the ball hit the post, much to the relief of the ever-vocal Hill 16. Sub Brian Hurley pointed from a free to give Cork their first score of the second-half. Johnny Cooper was yellow carded, his second of the game as Dublin were left with fourteen men to see out the game.It didn’t look good for them though as another Rebel sub Ruairi Deane fisted over to level the game. The lead was quickly regained through Costello but was just as quickly equalled again as Cork’s Mark Collins struck over the bar into the Canal End goal. Thankfully for the Dubs Cormac Costello’s aim was true. Again he gave them a one-point advantage, pointing a massive free as the game went into added time.Cork just couldn’t find a way to equalise in the four minutes allotted. Dublin seemed content to play keep ball and see the game out. All of a sudden a sea of grass opened up in front of their wing-back James McCarthy, he motored through the space and finished brilliantly on the narrow near side of onrushing opposition keeper Micheál Aodh Martin.Dublin were just about good value for a win, but not the four point win they got however – such is the nature of late goals. Cork should be encouraged by the way the put it up to the All-Ireland Champions. The target for them now however is to bring a level of consistency to their performance as they look to make up for a disappointing 2015 season.