GAA SFC - Cork 2-20 Down 0-14:All-Ireland champions Cork threw down a marker as they dispatched last year's beaten finalists Down with considerable ease in the second encounter of the day's double-header at Croke Park.
Down have been something of an enigmatic outfit during this year’s campaign and today they were found wanting by Conor Counihan’s side, who simply upped the ante in the second period before running out 2-20 to 0-14 winners in this qualifier.
“We got those couple of goals which were important for us; helped us obviously to get a bit of a lead,” said Counihan after the match. "All in all we’re just happy to get over the line, we expected a big test and we got that, quite a bit. Look, we’re just happy to be in the next round."
"The lads were disappointed after the Munster final and knew today was do-or-die and maybe that brings out the better in us – certainly felt that way during the week, bit of an edge about the build-up."
As for Down manager James McCartan he was big enough to hold up his hands and accept they were beaten by the better team on the day.
“I’m gutted really; gutted for the players and gutted for the supporters who have backed us through thick and thin over the last 18 months,” said McCartan.
“We can have no qualms about the result, it was one way traffic and we got a wee bit of a football lesson before the end. They just ran through us. It’s disappointing for all the guys,” was his honest assessment.
Down’s plight wasn’t helped by the eventual dismissal of Marty Clarke. In the opening exchanges the Mourne playmaker appeared to have punched Cork’s Noel O’Leary. On this occasion, however, referee Michael O’Leary only elected to book Clarke.
The incident served to fire-up the Rebels, who picked off two first half goals through Fintan Goold and Donncha O’Connor, the latter coming from a fine pass by Daniel Goulding.
By the break the 2010 champions were sitting pretty with a healthy 2-08 to 0-09 lead. Little did they know the second period would become a stroll.
Credit to Cork though for they took the game to Down in the second period. And although there were 20 different scorers in this match – 10 from each side – it was Counihan’s men who showed the greater purpose.
O’Connor would eventually weigh-in with a personal 1-05 tally while sub Graham Canty was afforded a point in the latter stages.
Down’s misery was compounded towards the end when Clarke was eventually given his marching orders for an off the ball incident and a second yellow.
Some 31,072 witnessed the repeat of last year’s showpiece with Cork supporters seen to be in the minority; perhaps they knew they would have another day.
In any case Counihan’s side were easily able to banish the memories of the recent Munster final defeat to Kerry as they booked their place in the last eight.
In Portlaoise there was high drama at the death as Limerick pulled off a famous win, but one that is sure to get chins wagging in the coming days.
As the final whistle approached Wexford looked to have the game won. However Limerick substitute Eoghan O’Connor kept his composure to score a last gasp goal and level the game.
When a replay looked on the cards there was further drama with indecision between the two goal-line umpires.
Ian Ryan won a free for Limerick and took it himself only for one umpire to wave his flag and the other to keep it on the ground. Referee Derek Fahy later made the call and gave the point to give Limerick a famous win, 1-18 to 1-17.
Elsewhere Tyrone had to dig deep to deny their neighbours Armagh in tonight’s Round Three qualifier at Healy Park in Omagh to set up next week’s clash with Roscommon for a place in the last eight.
Mickey Harte’s side took their time to get a hold on this match but when they nosed ahead they had enough experience to see out the win, 2-13 to 0-13.
Tyrone’s goals came from Joe McMahon in the first half with Tommy McGuigan also finding the net.
All-Ireland SFC Qualifiers
Round Four
Limerick 1-18 Wexford 1-17
Down 0-14 Cork 2-20
Kildare 0-19 Derry 0-13
Round Three
Tyrone 2-13 Armagh 0-13