2022 Allianz Football League Division 2 – Cork 1-21 Offaly 1-20

Cork defeated Offaly by 1-21 to 1-20 in Round 7 of the Allianz Football League on Sunday March 27th at Bord Na Móna O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Match Highlights

Watch the Full-Time Highlights of Cork v Offaly in the Allianz Football League here!
Full-Time Score:
Cork 1-21
Offaly 1-20
#GAANOW pic.twitter.com/a6SczNbTpQ

— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 27, 2022

Relief for Rebels as Division Two status secured in dramatic fashion https://t.co/nbA33BUN2l

— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) March 27, 2022

Relief for Rebels as Division Two status secured in dramatic fashion

Report by John Fogarty for the Irish Examiner newspaper

Allianz FL Division 2

Offaly 1-20 Cork 1-21

Cork will be in the last 16 of this year’s Sam Maguire Cup after pulling off this relegation-defying victory over Offaly in Tullamore.

A draw would have been enough for Cork to stay in Division 2 at the expense of John Maughan’s side on score difference but Stephen Sherlock was able to exploit an 11th hour technical foul by Offaly goalkeeper Paddy Dunican.

Having trailed by six early in the second half, Offaly had been two points up as late as the 65th minute when Blake Murphy cut Cork’s deficit in half.

Brian Hurley equalised in the first minute of additional time and while Ruairí McNamee responded Cian Kiely picked off a fine score from distance to restore parity.

The brilliant Sherlock then claimed the points for Cork in the fifth minute of additional time after referee Niall Cullen penalised Dunican for retrieving a kick-out directly after the restart.

Four points from Sherlock early in the second half had helped Cork into a six-point lead by the 42nd minute. But Offaly rallied and were back within two four minutes later, Niall McNamee pointing from play as well as a mark.

Scores from John O’Rourke and Brian Hurley increased Cork’s cushion but the next three points came from the hosts. Bill Carroll squared the game for the first time in the 55th minute and Offaly went ahead for the first time when Sullivan arrowed over a point in the 61st minute. Niall McNamee’s second converted mark gave a resurgent Offaly even more hope but they couldn’t hold out.

In just 12 seconds, Cork were off the mark via a fisted Colm O’Callaghan point and found the net in the third minute when Cathail O’Mahony slalomed through a light defensive cover.

The home side were caught on the break too often early on and Cork hit them for three consecutive scores to lead 1-4 to 0-1 by the 12th minute. Scores from Carroll and Niall McNamee did settle Offaly but Cork were still being allowed too much space when advancing.

Sherlock twice put Cork five points up and he sent them six ahead with a fisted point in the 32rd minute. However, Offaly scored the second goal of the game a couple of minutes later after Niall McNamee was brought down by Kevin Flahive in the penalty area. Flahive was black-carded and Sullivan netted the penalty.

Carroll’s second point made it a two-point game before Sherlock returned fire just before the break.

Scorers for Offaly: N. McNamee (0-7, 2 frees, 2 marks); A. Sullivan (1-3, 1-0 pen); B. Carroll (0-3); R. McNamee (0-2); J. Moloney, N. Darby, C. Flynn, K. O’Neill, P. Dunican (free) (0-1 each).

Scorers for Cork: S. Sherlock (0-9, 4 frees); C. O’Mahony (1-1); J. O’Rourke. B. Hurley (1 mark) (0-3 each); C. O’Callaghan (0-2); M. Taylor, B. Murphy, C. Kiely (0-1 each).

OFFALY: P. Dunican; J. Lalor, D. Hogan, K Dolan; L. Pearson, C. Doyle, N. Darby; C. Donoghue, J. Hayes; D. Hyland, J. Moloney (c), B. Carroll; R. McNamee, A. Sullivan, N. McNamee.
Subs for Offaly: C. Flynn for L. Pearson (inj 23); K. O’Neill for C. Donoghue (41); M. Abbott for D. Hyland (51); C. Donnelly for C. Doyle (55); B. Allen for A. Sullivan (69).

CORK: M.A. Martin; K. Flahive, K. O’Donovan, T. Walsh; J. Cooper, R. Maguire, M. Taylor; I. Maguire, C. O’Callaghan; D. Dineen, E. McSweeney, J. O’Rourke; S. Sherlock, C. O’Mahony, B. Hurley (c).
Subs for Cork: B. Murphy for E. McSweeney (48); C. Kiely for K. Flahive, M. Cronin for C. O’Mahony (both 53); B. Hartnett for D. Dineen (inj 59); F. Herlihy for J. O’Rourke (70).

Black cards: K. Flahive (33); I. Maguire (70+5).

Referee: N. Cullen (Fermanagh).

Team News

The Cork Senior Football Team to play Offaly has been announced https://t.co/wP3P9qtoYq#SportsDirectIreland #BorntoPlay pic.twitter.com/uPOlNMvoMf

— Cork GAA (@OfficialCorkGAA) March 26, 2022