All-Ireland MFC: Courageous Cork fall short against Tyrone in lively quarter-final clash

Tyrone: 1-21 (1-2-17) 

Cork: 1-12 (1-1-10) 

A dogged display, but the Cork minor footballers lost out to Tyrone by nine points in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC quarter-final at Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise on Saturday afternoon.

The Rebels, who were beaten in the Munster decider against Kerry, certainly couldn’t be faulted for endeavour or spirit in this one against the Ulster champions. They just came up against the better team on the day.

Tyrone had a strong wind advantage in the opening 30 minutes and led by six points at the interval, but they didn’t have it all their own way. There were some encouraging spells for Cork as at one juncture, they trailed by just a goal.

They just could never get close enough, but they gave Tyrone a scare. The eventual winners showed their class late on to win by nine points.

Keith Ricken's charges had some impressive performers, the likes of captain Cathal McCarthy, Ben Coffey and Aaron Keane in defence while up front, Donagh Flynn, Eoin Maguire and Ben Corkery-Delaney were all influential. The latter was the player of the match from a Cork perspective. He was excellent, scoring 1-4 (1 2pt).

After a period of possession, Tyrone hit the first score after three minutes through a James Mulgrew two-pointer. It was followed by a goal for the Red Hand despite Cork goalkeeper Rory Twohig making a brilliant stop initially only for Cathal Farley to tap in the rebound.

Peter Colton further extended Tyrone’s advantage with a point, but Cork did get their first score after five minutes when Maguire slotted over a close-range free.

Rebel attacks were seldom in the early stages, albeit playing against the wind, as Tyrone tacked on two unanswered white flags before Cork did have a sight on goal, but the lively Flynn was unable to find the back of the net following a driving run.

Tyrone landed two of the next three points with Jack Byerley kicking Cork’s score from a free, 1-7 to 0-2 after 16 minutes.

After a slow start, the Leesiders were now enjoying a purple patch, as they cut the gap to six points courtesy of scoring four of the next six points, Corkery-Delaney hitting two gorgeous scores.

The impressive forward’s next score would be the score of the game, as he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the Tyrone net after being set up by Flynn, 1-9 to 1-6 with six minutes to the break.

Tyrone’s response though was immediately a Colton two-pointer. Another Maguire free did cut the deficit, but the Ulster outfit landed the last two points of the half to lead 1-13 to 1-7 at half-time.

Cork did have the wind with them on the resumption, as the teams traded points with the Rebels’ score coming from sub Daniel McCarthy.

A two-pointer from that man Corkery-Delaney left just four points between the teams after 40 minutes of action, 1-14 to 1-10.

The Leesiders were well in the game, playing with plenty of determination and no fear. The teams traded points as the game went into the last 10 minutes with everything still to play for. Just a few small things weren't going right for Cork though with wrong decisions and wayward shooting. They could have been closer to Tyrone.

Ultimately, the All-Ireland favourites just had that extra bit of quality to get over the line. They tacked on six of the last seven points. Maguire got Cork’s score from a difficult angle.

A brave performance from the Rebels, one the players should be proud of against a very good side. It is the end of the road though for this year.

Scorers for Tyrone: E Long 0-6 (0-3 f), C Farley 1-2, P Colton 0-5 (1 2pt), J Mulgrew (1 2pt), J Kerr (0-1 f, 0-1 45), T Meenan 0-2 each, A Quinn, P McDonald 0-1 each.

Cork: B Corkery-Delaney 1-4 (1 2pt), E Maguire 0-4 (0-3 f), J Byerley (0-1 f), D McCarthy, D Flynn, L O’Mahony 0-1 each.

TYRONE: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn, J Daly, T Meenan; J Mulgrew, P Donaghy (c); D McAnespie, P Colton, C Farley; J Kerr, E Long, M Kennedy.

Subs: V Gormley for M Kennedy (43), M Mullin for E Kerr (47), M F Daly for D McAnespie (50), P McDonald for J Kerr (55), H Patton for C Farley (58).

CORK: R Twohig (Kilmeen); B Coffey (Clonakilty), A Keane (Kinsale), M Kiernan (Carrigaline); J Miskella (Ballincollig), C McCarthy (St Colum’s, c), B Cronin (Ballincollig); S Kelleher-Leavy (Macroom), R Hayes (Carbery Rangers); L O’Mahony (Ballincollig), D Flynn (Argideen Rangers), S Long (Newcestown); J Byerley (Clonakilty), B Corkery-Delaney (Carrigaline), E Maguire (Castlehaven).

Subs: J Hanrahan (Mitchelstown) for S Kelleher-Leavy (21), E Collins (Kiskeam) for S Long (29), D McCarthy (Castlehaven) for J Byerley (34), T Whooley (Clonakilty) for L O’Mahony (41), J O’Leary (Ballinascarthy) for J Miskella (51).

Referee: Christopher Ryan (Galway).