Allianz NFL Division 1 Final – Cork 1-17 Mayo 0-12

Cork defeated Mayo by 1-17 to 0-12 in the Allianz National Football League Division 1 Final on Sunday at Croke Park.

Cork win Division One title comfortably

From the Irish Examiner web site

Sunday, April 25, 2010 – 05:58 PM

Cork 1-17 Mayo 0-12

Cork captured their first Allianz NFL Division 1 title since 1999 at a canter, thanks to an impressive eight-point win over Mayo at Croke Park this afternoon. 27,005 spectators watched on as last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists gave a magnificent second half display, with a 63rd minute Daniel Goulding goal ensuring there was no hope of a Mayo comeback. Conor Counihan’s charges burst out of the blocks in the opening stages. Mayo’s rearguard struggled to cope with a potent Rebels attack. By the 19th minute, five of Cork’s six starting forwards had put their names on the scoresheet. The 19-year-old Ciaran Sheehan set the tone for the Rebels with a well-executed score in the fourth minute, and although midfielder Seamus O’Shea equalised three minutes later – Cork soon burst clar. Daniel Goulding, Paul Kerrigan and Patrick Kelly added points as Cork claimed a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 14th minute.

Mayo were not without their chances, but some poor shooting, coupled with excellent defending by the likes of Jamie O’Sullivan and Paudie Kissane for Cork, ensured John O’Mahony’s troops were kept at bay. Donncha O’Connor impressed from his half-forward berth and bagged five first half points for the Munster men, all of which arrived in the second quarter. Alan Dillon and Mortimer kept Mayo in touch, but Cork were fully deserving of their 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead.

Mayo began the second half strongly as two quick-fire scores from Conor Mortimer cut the gap to two points, two minutes after the restart. The Shrule-Glencorrib clubman kept the reigning Connacht champions in contention, but Cork failed to yield and the Rebels did not trail in this game. Goulding bagged Cork’s first point of the second half in the 42nd minute, but the Rebels continued to spread the ball well with midfielders Alan O’Connor and Aidan Walsh adding their names to the scoresheet, while defender Noel O’Leary also popped up for a score. Conor Mortimer continued to try hard for Mayo, with his 55th minute point being his side’s first score in 18 minutes’ play.

But Eire Og duo Goulding and Sheehan were in inspirational form for Cork in the final quarter, with the only goal of the contest coming in the 63rd minute. Sheehan passed through for corner forward Goulding who had no hesitation in rifling the ball past Mayo goalkeeper David Clarke to edge his side 1-17 to 0-9 in front. Mayo failed to give up, tagging on scores from Andy Moran, Alan Dillon and Seamus O’Shea late on, but Cork had done enough to secure their second league title in twelve months – they were Division 2 champions last year. After the game, Cork full-back and captain Michael Shields accepted the cup from GAA President Christy Cooney.

CORK: P O’Shea; R Carey, M Shields, E Cotter; N O’Leary (0-1), P Kissane, J O’Sullivan; A O’Connor (0-1), A Walsh (0-1); F Goold, D O’Connor (0-5, 0-2f), P Kelly (0-1); D Goulding (1-5, 0-1f), C Sheehan (0-2), P Kerrigan (0-1).
Subs used: N Murphy for Goold (59 mins), D Kavanagh for Walsh (65), C O’Neill for D O’Connor (65), J Hayes for Goulding (69), G Spillane for Shields (69).

MAYO: D Clarke; C Barrett, G Cafferkey, L O’Malley; D Vaughan, T Howley, K McLoughlin; T Parsons, S O’Shea (0-2); A Moran (0-1), A Dillon (0-3, 0-3f), T Mortimer; C Mortimer (0-6, 0-3f), A O’Shea, M Ronaldson.
Subs used: R McGarrity for Ronaldson (half-time), A Kilcoyne for T Mortimer (51 mins), A Freeman for Parsons (63), B Moran for C Mortimer (68), P Harte for A O’Shea (68).

Referee: Paudie Hughes (Armagh)