Cork 1-31

Kildare 2-19

MATTHEW HURLEY REPORTS

JOHN Cleary demanded a response after Cork’s 20-point loss to Derry – and his players delivered in emphatic fashion.

The Rebels got their promotion push back on track with a convincing nine-point win over Kildare at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, a game that was effectively settled by half time. Cork led 1-22 to 1-6 at the break after a dominant opening 35 minutes.

The result, coupled with Derry’s defeat to Louth, leaves Cork in control of their own destiny ahead of this weekend’s final-round trip to Tyrone.

‘We were hurt after that Derry game. Nobody likes to take a beating like that,’ Cleary said.

‘The week leading into Kildare, and even the trip away, was about trying to atone for that loss.

‘It’s also the first time in a good few years that Cork have won all their home games in the league. That result in Derry was an outlier. The lads were determined, particularly in front of the home support, to put in a performance.

‘We knew in Derry it wasn’t acceptable but all you can do is learn from it. We parked it pretty quickly and focused on the last two games.’

Steven Sherlock bursts through the Kildare defence. (Photo: George Hatchell)

Cork were in total control during a superb first-half display, racking up eight two-pointers through Steven Sherlock (three), Chris Óg Jones (two), Mark Cronin, Dara Sheedy and Luke Fahy.

Their goal on 27 minutes was another highlight. A turnover from Ian Maguire sparked a slick move involving Brian O’Driscoll and Cronin before Jones finished clinically.

That score put Cork 1-17 to 1-3 ahead and underlined their dominance. It also proved crucial as Kildare outscored the Rebels by 1-13 to 0-9 in the second half.

‘Happy with the result. I thought we were excellent in the first half,’ Cleary said.

‘In this new game, we knew they were going to come back at us in the second half.

‘Slightly disappointed with the second half – they got a goal and could have had two or three more. We were a bit open, but if you offered me a nine-point win beforehand, I would have taken it.’

Cork still led 1-30 to 2-12 after 55 minutes, but Kildare rallied late following Patrick Doyle’s black card.

Reduced to 14 men, Cork had substitute goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin to thank for preserving their lead, producing three crucial saves, including one from an Alex Beirne penalty.

OUR STAR: With 1-9 from play, Chris Óg Jones was a nuisance to Kildare throughout.

Scorers

Cork: Chris Óg Jones 1-9 (2 2pt); Steven Sherlock 0-10 (2 2pt, 1 2ptf, 1 45); Mark Cronin 0-4 (1 2pt); Dara Sheedy (1 2pt), Luke Fahy (1 2pt) 0-3 each; Paul Walsh, Tommy Walsh 0-1 each.

Kildare: Ben McCormack 0-4 (2 2pt); Jack Robinson 1-1 (1f); Darragh Kirwan, Alex Beirne (1 2pt, 1f) 0-3 each; Brendan Gibbons 1-0; Ben Loakman (2pt), Colm Moran, Colm Dalton 0-2 each; Callum Bolton, Brian McLoughlin (f) 0-1 each.

Cork: Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree); Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Seán Brady (Ballygarvan); Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig); Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s); Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Seán McDonnell (Mallow); Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues) for S McDonnell, Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown) for P Walsh (both 52); Matty Taylor (Mallow) for T Walsh (56); Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers) for Dara Sheedy (58); Daragh Cashman (Millstreet) for M Taylor (59-ft, temp); Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) for P Doyle (66).

Kildare: Cian Burke; Harry O’Neill, Padraic Spillane, Brian Byrne; Liam Kelly, Eoin Lawlor, Ryan Burke; Callum Bolton, Kevin Feely (captain); Brian McLoughlin, Colm Moran, Colm Dalton; Sam Doran, Darragh Kirwan, Ben Loakman.

Subs: Brendan Gibbons for K Feely (10); Alex Beirne for S Doran, Ben McCormack for L Kelly (both ht); Jack Robinson for C Moran (46); Eoin Cully for B Loakman (64).

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo).