Gallant Down pay price for missed chances

Cork 1-10 Dublin 2-5:Cork had to come from behind with late points from a Joe Deane free and one from substitute Cathal Naughton to overcome Down in Ballygalget yesterday.

Played in terrible conditions, the game was suspended for 17 minutes in the first half as a heavy snowfall made it impossible for the game to continue.

Playing against the wind, Cork started with two points from Kieran Murphy inside two minutes. Down settled and points from Gareth Johnson and Andy Savage saw them level after nine minutes. Patrick Cronin and Gareth Johnson exchanged points before Cork went ahead again with a Tom Kenny point.

Down really sprang to life midway through the half when a lob from Andy Savage was finished to the net by Paddy Coulter while, two minutes later, Brendan McGourty pointed from a 65 to give Down a three-point lead as snow fell heavily.

When play resumed after the 17-minute suspension Joe Deane and Brendan McGourty exchanged points as Down led at half-time.

Although Cork restarted with a Kieran Murphy point, Down came back with a brilliant goal from Gareth Johnson following a Brendan McGourty 65.

Cork fought back to level the game with 10 minutes left with points from Kieran Murphy and Joe Deane and a goal from substitute Eoin Murphy.

Down had chances to regain the lead, but they paid the penalty in the closing stages when Deane and Naughton pointed.

CORK:A Nash; W Sherlock, K Cronin, P Fitzgerald; K Hartnett, R Curran, J Gardiner; M O'Connell, T Kenny (0-1); K Murphy (Erin's Own, 0-4),N McCarthy, K Canty; J O'Callaghan, P Cronin (0-1), J Deane (0-3). Subs:N Ronan for M O'Connell, K Murphy (Sarsfields) for N McCarthy, E Murphy (1-0)for J O'Callaghan, C Naughton (0-1) for K Canty, C O'Connor for T Kenny.

DOWN:Graham Clarke; L Clarke, S Murray, F Conway; M Ennis, P Hughes, Gabriel Clarke; A Savage (0-1), B McGourty (0-2);K Courtney, G Johnson (1-2),D Flynn; P Coulter (1-0),E Trainor, E Clarke. Sub: S Ennis for D Flynn.

Referee: J O'Rourke(Monaghan).