Rebels make it three-in-a-row

Cork 2-10 Mayo 0-11:Driven by a big performance from captain Graham Canty, holders Cork recorded the first three-in-a-row national league titles since Kerry in the 1970s in the Division One final against Mayo. Despite trailing by four, 0-5 to 0-9, at half-time Cork blitzed their opponents in the opening minutes of the second half to take the lead with an unanswered 1-4 within 12 minutes of the re-start.

In a fractious match played in wintry conditions with a cold, biting wind behind Mayo in the first half, Cork’s superior firepower told with two decisive second-half goals.

Mayo had started well, their defence battling doggedly and largely holding their opponents in check while also managing to counter-attack from the back with Donal Vaughan and Keith Higgins prominent. At the other end Mayo were pressurising the Cork defence and earning a succession of frees, which Cillian O’Connor popped over to help build a lead.

Cork’s recovery kicked in immediately after the break with points in successive minutes from Alan O’Connor, Patrick Kelly and Pearse O’Neill to set the tone for the rest of the match. Donncha O’Connor placed Colm O’Neill for a cracking finish in the 47th minute and a 1-9 to 0-9 lead.

Eight minutes later the critical sequence of the half saw Mayo look for a penalty when Lee Keegan went down under pressure from Alan O’Connor but referee Maurice Deegan waved play on and immediately Cork broke up the field and Fintan Goold’s shot came back off the post for Aidan Walsh to gather the rebound and drive home the second goal off a defender.

Five points clear Cork weren’t going to be caught and they weren’t, running down the clock with bouts of keep-ball before the end.

Cork:C O'Neill, A Walsh 1-0 each, F Goold, P O'Neill, D O'Connor (one free) 0-2 each, P Kelly, A O'Connor, P O'Neill, G Canty, D Goulding 0-1 each

Mayo:C O'Connor 0-6 (one free), K Higgins, D Vaughan, K McLoughlin, A Moran, Mortimer (free) 0-1 each

Attendance:22,827.