ALLIANZ HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Cork 1-20 Offaly 1-15:CORK ALWAYS looked too strong as they opened their league campaign campaign with victory over a dogged Offaly side at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday.
Featuring a mix of household names and newer additions to the panel, Denis Walsh’s side possessed more of an all-round attacking threat than the visitors, who relied heavily on Brian Carroll and Shane Dooley. Offaly did not offer a huge threat in the second half.
Had Dooley been successful with a goal chance when Cork led by 1-14 to 1-12 in the 50th minute, then perhaps things may have been different, but instead his shot was saved well by Anthony Nash and Cork finished strongly.
Despite a goal from Tom Kenny, who was playing at wing-forward, inside a minute, Cork were not allowed to have things all their own way early on.
Offaly cancelled out that lead and stayed with Cork, Colin Egan’s goal following a well-worked move after 14 minutes tying the game at 1-4 apiece. Stephen Wynne, who had been named at wing-forward, was doing a good job as a sweeper, and was helping to frustrate a lot of Cork’s attacks.
Inspired by Carroll, Offaly led twice around the middle part of the first half, but Cork had some impressive attackers of their own and Paudie O’Sullivan hit three fine points in the final 10 minutes of the first half while Cathal Naughton also weighed in with a pair and as half-time neared they led by 1-12 to 1-9.
Points from Dooley and Joe Bergin cut the gap to just a point by the interval. But Offaly found the going tougher during the second half.
Instead, the home side should probably have forged further ahead but chances were wasted.
With Jerry O’Connor and Brian Murphy combining well in midfield and Eoin Cadogan doing well at full-back, Cork were in control nonetheless.
After Nash’s save from Dooley, a Ben O’Connor free gave Cork more breathing space and Murphy was unlucky not to get a second goal with nine minutes left, James Dempsey saving well as he tipped the deflected shot over the bar.
In injury time, with Cork leading by six, sub Cian McCarthy saw his penalty attempt saved by corner-back Stephen Egan.
Joe Bergin did point for Offaly after that but Cork were never in trouble and with two points in the bag now face Kilkenny next week.
CORK: A Nash; S McDonnell, E Cadogan, S Murphy; J Gardiner, M Ellis, W Egan; J O'Connor (0-1), B Murphy (0-1); T Kenny (1-0), P Cronin (0-3), C Naughton (0-2); B O'Connor (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline), P O'Sullivan (0-4), P Horgan (0-4, 0-2 frees). Subs: N McCarthy (0-1) for Naughton, K Murphy for Horgan (both 53), L McLoughlin for Egan (58), C McCarthy for Cronin (63).
OFFALY: J Dempsey; B Mulrooney, J Rigney, S Egan; D Hayden, R Hanniffy, D Morkam; C Mahon, S Kelly (0-1); B Carroll (0-4), C Egan (1-0), S Wynne (0-1); C Parlon (0-1), J Bergin (0-2), S Dooley (0-6, 0-5 frees). Subs: D Hayden for Rigney (41), K Connolly for Kelly (49), K Brady for Wynne (63).
Referee: M Wadding(Waterford).
