Matty Taylor and Seán Powter led the way on a brilliant day for Cork football in Páirc Uí Rinn
A couple of errant kick outs in the first half, but made an important save when a goal looked on. Some tasty restarts throughout the game put Cork on the front foot. Overall did well between the sticks and will keep the number one jersey after this display.
Kevin Flahive
Held the line well and there when it counted as Donegal pushed on. Nothing flashy, but that wasn’t what was required. Marshalled the troops superbly and calmly and never looked panicked.
Daniel O’Mahony
Had a very difficult opening period with Patrick McBrearty running amuck through the defensive set. Challenged well in parts when second to the ball and turned over a couple of balls when Donegal looked like breaking through.
Maurice Shanley
Another one of a defence that can collectively hold their heads up high. Showed for every ball when Cork looked to break and carried on a number of occasions into a middle third that Cork dominated. Classy display.
Rory Maguire
His goal was one of the highlights of the day. Not the prettiest of efforts but they all count. Willing and able all day – transitioned the ball from back to front well and got his hand in on a couple of occasions in a solid defensive set.
Tommy Walsh
Did well throughout the game. Very game and at the heart of most of what was good when Cork came out with the ball. Not afraid to run forward when the opportunity arose and on the shoulder of scorers on more than one occasion.
Matty Taylor
Another masterclass from the Mallow man. A goal that will surely live long in his own memory that lifted the Cork faithful. One errant pass when a score looked on, but overall yet again one of Cork’s best on the day.
Ian Maguire
Started sluggishly with a couple of missed passes and a squandered scoring opportunity inside five minutes, but as always the St Finbarr’s man was not afraid to cover the ground – plucked a few kick outs out of the sky in heavy traffic.
Colm O’Callaghan
Had a goal chance that was well saved by the Donegal keeper and not afraid to cover for Ian Maguire when his fellow midfielder was stranded up front.
Paul Walsh
Raised a groan when his first half effort at a score left his foot, when it landed in from the right he was the toast of the ground. Not afraid to rush forward and/or defend. Getting better all the time in red.
Seán Powter
Skilful from the opening bell and not afraid to run straight through the Donegal defence when given the chance. Let the ball get away from him twice when scores looked on but his honesty with and without the ball should inspire others to push-on. His goal was crucial, called ashore injured early in the second half.
Brian O’Driscoll
Picked up a host of secondary ball from kick outs and distributed superbly to initiate a coup of fruitful attacks. Ran himself into the ground and then some, a great link between the backs and forwards all game.
Chrís Óg Jones
Had chances, scored some points and overall, a very good display from the corner forward. A threat will the ball in hand and well capable of skinning and turning defenders when the mood takes him.
Mark Cronin
Did well all game without the reward of a score. Tried his heart out from the off till the 65th minute when he was called ashore.
Brian Hurley
All day one of the men that put in a shift worthy of success. Never took a back step. Carded for some clever fouls, but let this team from the front. Hurley, more than most deserves the credit and the win after toiling for so long without reward.
Subs
Conor Corbett came on for the injured Sean Powter in the second half and got stuck in from the off. Can’t fault the Clyda man’s effort, his accuracy left him down late on. Still, more than a credible threat when introduced. As with the game in Cusack Park in Round 1, Steven Sherlock came in with an eye for the posts and his late freshness was another major element in the Rebel win late on. Never afraid to shoot and usually finds the black spot. Heavily strapped around the knee but made light of the inconvenience after his introduction. Thomas Clancy, Ruairí Deane, Eoghan McSweeney and Seán Meehan all came on in the last few minutes and all put their shoulders to the wheel as first Donegal fought back before Cork escaped their own half and bagged the final score. There wasn’t a player in red that didn’t impress on the day.
