A strong second-half showing saw Cork power to a 1-22 to 1-11 victory over Offaly at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Pat Horgan (0-9) and John Gardiner (0-5) were the scorers-in-chief for the winners, while captain Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields) finished the day with four points to his credit.

The first half was a shoot-out between ace marksmen Horgan and Shane Dooley, both of whom showed incredible accuracy as the sides went in level at the break, 0-9 apiece.

Dooley got six points in the first half - including the closing three scores - while Horgan registered five times.

Offaly led courtesy of a Brian Carroll point in the first minute. Dooley (Offaly) and Horgan (Cork) each pointed twice as the Faithful County assumed a 0-3 to 0-2 advantage after ten minutes.

The next six points were shared as Horgan brought his tally to 0-4, with Niall McCarthy getting the other Rebel point. Impressive manager's son Dooley hit three long-range frees for Offaly, who also had a further score from Conor Mahon. Horgan's fifth point made it 0-7 to 0-5.

John Gardiner (two long-range frees) got in on the scoring act and Kieran Murphy also registered for the Leesiders in a lively first half and it was 0-9 to 0-7 to the hosts coming up to the break.

Five minutes of injury time were added because of an injury to Mahon and Dooley knocked over a late double to leave the teams level as they went in for their Jaffa Cakes.

Gardiner (free) knocked over a point as Cork - who had introduced Eoin Cadogan at full back during the interval - went back in front.

Denis Walsh's improving team led by 0-15 to 0-10 by the midway stage in the second half with Niall McCarthy and Horgan - bringing his total to 0-7 - adding to the winners' tally while Dooley also brought his haul up to 0-7.

Dooley was on hand to give Offaly hope with a goal 13 minutes from the end, closing the gap to two points.

It was soon 1-19 to 1-11. Aisake O hAilipin goaled in the 27th minute of the second half and Cork also threw in Michael Cussen who added a point. Horgan bagged his eighth point as they assumed complete control.

Cork - D Óg Cusack; S O'Neill, D Cunningham, S Murphy; B Murphy, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpín; J Gardiner (0-5, four from frees), T Kenny; L McLoughlin, M O'Sullivan (0-1), N McCarthy (0-2); K Murphy (0-5), A Ó hAilpín (1-0), P Horgan (0-8, five from frees). Subs: E Cadogan for Cunningham (inj, h-t), C McCarthy for O'Sullivan (52 mins), M Cussen (0-1) for N McCarthy (61 mins), F O'Leary for McLoughlin (62 mins), R Ryan for S Óg Ó hAilpín (69 mins).

Offaly - E Kelly; J Rigney, P Cleary, D Kenny; D Hayden, G Oakley, D Morkan; D Horan, R Hanniffy; B Carroll (0-1), C Mahon (0-1), C Parlon (0-1); J Bergin, G Healion, S Dooley (1-8, five from frees, one from '65). Subs: K Brady for Oakley (46 mins), D Molloy for Carroll (64 mins), D Currams for Parlon (65 mins).

Ref: M Wadding (Waterford). Tweet

Most Read Stories