Dublin must have felt robbed having led this All Ireland semi final decider for the entire match , however, Cork hit the front for the first time in time added on and held it until the final whistle.
Dublin hit Cork with an early goal which saw Ray Carey caught out of position when Bernard Brogan slipped in behind him to score a goal on receipt of a beautiful pass.
Dublin maintained a stranglehold on the Cork forward line with tackling that was more than strong and which was borderline in execution allied to a packed defence, these tactics cost Dublin the match late on in the game. At the other end ,it was more a one man show, where Bernard Brogan gave an exhibition of scoring against a well proven Cork defence and he was capable of scoring from one to one marking or any combination presented to him by the backs. Dublin went in at half time leading by 1 – 8 to Corks 0 – 7.
The Dubs deserved the lead although Cork wasted many scoring opportunities.
The second half saw the introduction of Eoin Cadogan for Grahame Canty , this resulted in a tighter Cork defence and the playing of Canty was probably a mistake. It was Dublin who scored the the first point of the second half stretching the lead out to 5 points. With the game reaching the three quarter mark , Cork were awarded a penalty (54min) after Colm O’Neill was brought to ground with a rugby style tackle , Donncha O’ Connor slotted it home off the inside of the left post sending Dublin keeper Cluxton in the other direction.
Shortly after, Cork had the equaliser and one would have thought the pendulum to swing more in Cork’s favour, however, Dublin dug deep again and secured a few hard won points which gave them a 2 point cushion and one expected them to finish stronger with a renewed momentum, sadly their world fell apart in the last 5/6 mins of normal time, the tackling which prevented Cork scores in the first half now contributed to kickable frees from which Donncha O’ Connor scored ,also ,Ross McConnell was red carded after receiving 2 yellows. The introduction of Nicolas Murphy, Colm O’ Neill, Derek Kavanagh,and Eoin Cadogan helped turn the tide and helped Cork to finish Stronger.

Alan Quirke ; never tested after the opening Dub score, solid all through
Ray Carey; Improved as the game went on and was probably the best marker for Brogan
Ml Shields; Contested everything and made one block on Brogan
John Miskella; Turned up all over the place but found it difficult to lay off good possession
Noel O’ Leary ; Was competitive and made a breaks upfield without success.
Grahame Canty : Performed within himself
Paudie Kissane : Played and handled a lot of ball,was always available
Alan O’Connor ; Quiet , but McConnell was the same for Dublin ( not sure if they were on each other)
Aidan Walsh: Kicked a few torpedoes towards the corner flag but made some telling runs and interceptions at times as well as scoring a nice point.
Paul Kerrigan : Looked Corks best option to break the Dub defence,scored a few vital points especially his last one.
Pierce O’ Neill: Not one of his better days , missed some goalscoring opportunties, however was battling all the time and ended up with a couple points.
Paddy Kelly ; Hardworking , got score of the match .
Daniel Goulding ; Scored some / missed some, a mixed performance, not one of his better days.
Ciaran Sheehan; He may have been effected by his prematch injury , was unlucky with one effort just after the break.
Donncha O’Connor; Was a constant thorn to the Dublin defence , took his penalty with aplomb as well as slotting over some crucial points from frees .
Colm ‘ Neill ; Starred for his time on the field .
Nicolas Murphy; Was influencial as the game edged in favour of Cork.
Eoin Cadogan; Sound and constructive and helped improve defence.
Derek Kavanagh: Contributed with a fine point near the end and securing possesion .
By: Hawkeye

Popularity: 44%

The Cork Senior Football team will play Dublin in Croke Park on the 22nd of August in the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final. Throw in will be at 3.30 p.m.
The Cork team is as follows:

1. Alan Quirke (Valley Rovers)
2. Ray Carey (Clyda Rovers)
3. Michael Shields (St. Finbarrs)
4. John Miskella (Ballincollig)
5. Noel O’Leary (Cill na Martra)
6. Graham Canty (Bantry Blues – Capt)
7. Paudie Kissane (Clyda Rovers)
8. Alan O’Connor (St. Colum’s)
9. Aidan Walsh (Kanturk)
10. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
11. Pearse O’Neill (Aghada)
12. Patrick Kelly (Ballincollig)
13. Daniel Goulding (Eire Og)
14. Ciaran Sheehan (Eire Og)
15. Donncha O’Connor (Ballydesmond)

Popularity: 49%

Vote NOW for Hannah on www.supervalu.ie  to help win €15,000 to support GAA in Cork!

Devoted Cork GAA Fan, Hannah Looney has been chosen as a finalist in a competition being run by SuperValu and The Irish Sun to find ‘Ireland’s Most Dedicated GAA Fan’!

To help Hannah Looney be in with a chance of winning a staggering €15,000 to support GAA in Cork and her local community of Midleton and secure the glory of a Cork girl being crowned ‘Ireland’s Most Dedicated GAA Fan’, vote for Hannah NOW on www.supervalu.ie. The closing day for voting is midnight Tuesday, 10 August.

Hannah hopes to use the prize money to develop Aghada GAA football club’s ladies team, who are badly in need of new equipment such as footballs, cones and jerseys. In addition, Hannah would like to improve Aghada GAA club’s dressing rooms, shower facilities, gym and club house Should Hannah be crowded winner, she will also receive an amazing VIP package including accommodation for the All Ireland Football Final in September.

Hannah who is 13, has played GAA football and hurling all her life. Along with her Dad and brother, Hannah has attended every club and county game for as long as she can remember and wears her famous Cork gear to every match. This consists of a mad Viking hat (with badges of Aghada stars Kieran O’ Connor and Pearse O’ Neill), Cork foam finger, face paints and streamers!

At matches, Hannah is always screaming and shouting for Cork and recently was pictured on the front of he Irish Examiner excitedly shouting Cork on! Hannah admits that at times, her brother is too embarrassed to sit next to her because of her enthusiasm!

Donal Horgan, Managing Director of SuperValu, says:

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SuperValu is part of Ireland’s largest grocery group and is committed to building vibrant local communities. With over 190 stores nationwide we are committed to delivering quality choice and genuine low prices.

Popularity: 72%

Cork had to dig deep to overcome Roscommon , although well on top, they failed to turn it into scores on the board, Cork led 6 points to 2 with about 5 mins left in the first half, Roscommon got the next 3 points in succession to leave just a point beween the sides at the break , overall Cork should have been 3/4 points to the good at this stage of the game. After the interval Cork introduced Nicolas Murphy and Donacha O’Connor they had an immediate impact in setting up Cork for the opening score of the second period , Roscommon struck back with a point of their own followed by 2 more to move ahead by the minimum for the first time , however this turned out to be their final thrust as Cork dominated the remainder of the game. Pierce O’ Neill had another fine game for Cork , he was well assisted by Ciaran Sheehan , Danial Goulding and Paul Kerrigan. Nicolas Murphy made some fine catches and was the pick of the midfielders, he would appear to benefit from being introduced to the game rather than starting , however I cannot but see him starting against Dublin. Alan O Connor cancelled out his mistakes of last week when he brilliantly disposessed a Roscommon player to set up a great score for Cork. Alan Quirke was rarely tested and was commanding of his area and played a notable amount of outfield ball as well, The Cork defence played with confidence especially Ray Carey , Paudie Kissane , Noel O’ Leary and John Miskella when he was introduced after the break, Grahame Canty was his usual self and was unlucky to be injured after 1 great break in the second half, depending on the extent of what seemed a hamstring injury , he should recover for the Semifinal. The Referee kept the game flowing and did not have any major conflicts, Cork did score a goal , which he deemed a foul and gave Cork a penalty which Donacha O’ Connor popped over the bar.
Final Score: Cork 1-16 Roscommon 0-10
By:Hawkeye

Popularity: 64%

The Cork team is unchanged for the clash against Roscommon.
Throw in will take place at 2pm in Croke Park on Sunday 1st of August.
The team is as follows@

Cork (SFC v Roscommon): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, J O’Sullivan; J Miskella, G Canty, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; F Goold, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C Sheehan, C O’Neill.

Popularity: 56%

The draw for the All-Ireland Football Quarter-Finals is as follows:

Meath v Kildare

Kerry v Down

Tyrone v Dublin

Roscommon v Cork

Popularity: 54%

This was, as I forecast in my preview the contest (battle) of the year in the All Ireland senior football championship,
Limerick contested ,defended and hunted Cork down to make them look very ordinary, I cannot understand why various writers and commentators did not give Limerick much of hope in overcoming Cork. How could they have forgotten the history of the last 2 years and Limericks epic contest in the Muster Final against Kerry.
Limerick were quickly into a two point lead , However Cork finished the first half , equalising at 0 -5 to 0 – 5, Limerick had some real reason for a penalty award ,they also hit the crossbar and post . Cork started the second half notching up a couple quick points and were leading by 0 – 12 to 0 – 7 with five minutes remaining of the game, when Jamie O’Sullivan conceded a free which Limerick converted, this free ( which was borderline) was a turning point, followed by another(questionable) free a few moments later when the referee awarded a penalty for a push on a Limerick player. Based on the overall flow of the match ,Limerick were entitled to a penalty . this was expertly converted to leave just a point between the sides and over a minute left on the clock. Allan Quirke must have believed that Limerick deserved better for their efforts , he delivered the kick out straight into the hands of a Limerick player directly in front of goal,who promptly dispatched it over the bar. Quirke had a excellent game otherwise .
In the first period of extra time Cork had a couple of pointed frees with Limerick failing to score, however they were first to score in the second period which left one point between the sides, Paddy Kelly who had been replaced in normal time was introduced again for the extra time, scored a great from out on the right wing, this score atoned somewhat for his poor free taking. Ian Ryan and Daniel Goulding exchanged points to leave a two point margin at the end.
Alan O’ Connor who did not start due to some illness during the week, although playing
quiet well, almost cost Cork the match, he was the man deemed to have fouled for the Limerick penalty, also he lost good possesion on two occasions after he was put clean through by a teammate. Paudie Kissane was awarded man of the match ,himself and Canty and Noel O’ Leary were the main line of attach for Cork on the night. Nicolas Murphy made another notable contribution from the bench. Pierce O’ Neill earned my man of the match . It was late in the game before Cork forwards managed to shake off a tight marking Limerick defence and have an ability to score from play. The referee was very firm and handed out 13 or 14 yellow cards and 1 red , he have been over the top but he was fair .
By: Hawkeye

Popularity: 68%

The Cork team is unchanged for the clash against Limerick , it shows just 1 positional change with Michael Sheilds going
to full back and Grahame Canty to center back in a straight swap.
This is a crucial game for Cork, Limerick are the only other team apart from Kerry to have troubled Cork this past 2 years. a useful common denominator confirms that when Limerick more than matched Kerry in the Munster final and were unlucky to lose, this could be the football contest of the year.
Throw in will take place at 7pm in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday,24th of July.

Cork (SFC v Limerick): A Quirke; R Carey, M Shields, J O’Sullivan; J Miskella, G Canty, P Kissane; A O’Connor, A Walsh; F Goold, P O’Neill, P Kelly; D Goulding, C Sheehan, C O’Neill. Hawkeye

Popularity: 60%

Cork went away today to take on Wexford at a wind swept Wexford Park, Cork won the toss and and elected to play with the wind , Wexford contained Cork reasonable well playing against the wind ,and they went in at half time with a scoreline of 0 – 7 to 0 – 3 in Cork’s favour. Nicolas Murphy was introduced to the Cork team after the break and he had an immediate impression on proceedings, helping Cork add on 4 points without reply, Cork then went another 30 minutes ithout scoring before Ciaran Sheehan scored in time added on, Wexford failed miserably with the wind advantage and had only a Matty Forde free to show for their second half efforts . Cork’s half back line secured the advantage aided by big performance from John Miskella which was on par with his best performances last year , he chipped in with the point of the match, Nicolas Murphy can be well pleased with his return and Paddy Kelly’s free taking was honourable on the day that was .Final Score Cork 0-12 Wexford 0-05.
By: Hawkeye.

Popularity: 84%

Cork line out very much as anticipated for their clash against a strong Wexford team , the trip to Wexford on Sunday is a possible minefield, this is a Wexford team which will not lack drive and gusto to unsettle Cork, Only for losing their way against Dublin in the final quarter, they may now be Leinster champions , then the win over Galway conveyed the message loud and clear , ”beware, Wexford ahead’. Cork will depend on Grahame Canty to put the shackles on Matty Forde who is more then capable and could possible score enough to win single handed . John Miskella and Paudie Kissane have got the nod for the wing back positions , hopefully Miskella can return to the form that made him the outdtanding half back of 2009. The midfield pairing of Alan O Connor and Aidan Walsh are together again , Can Nicolas Murphy win back his position when he is back to full fitness. Fintan Gould has been handed a starting position in the half forward and if his power and strength can be converted into footballing skill ,then there is a position waiting you. A position for proud Macroom , please , step up to the plate. Pierse O’ Neill returns to his best position at center forward although he could end up as a 3rd midfield if required. The full forward line have the capacity if given a decent supply of ball but they come up against a no nonsense Wexford defense. Extra time may be required to separate the teams.
By:Hawkeye

Popularity: 68%