Dublin 3-13 Cork 0-16: Pat Gilroy's footballers moved top of the Allianz National Football League Division One when completing a Dublin double over All-Ireland winners at Croke Park on Saturday evening with a six-point victory over Cork.
The league double-header at Headquarters began with a one-point win for Anthony Daly’s hurlers over Tipperary and it was followed by a solid performance from the footballers, for whom goals proved the difference.
The Dubs took their chances in front of the net, first through Mossy Quinn in the 20th minute and then just three minutes later when St Judes man Kevin McManaman played a neat one-two with Bernard Brogan before bursting the net with a close range left-foot shot.
Prior to the goals the Dubs the teams had traded points and the Dubs trailed by one. After hitting the net twice, they let the Rebels close the gap somewhat, through points from Fintan Gould, Denis O’Sullivan and Colm O’Neill but led by three at the break.
Paddy Kelly, Daniel Goulding and Pearse O’Neill brought Cork to within a point after the restart, with Declan Lally pointing for the hosts. Lally pointed another before being replaced by Darragh Nelson but Goulding responded to keep Cork in touch before Dublin hit the net again.
This time it was Barry Cahill, who benefitted from confusion in the Cork defence and a neat pass from Bernard Brogan, before striking his shot low into the Rebels’ net.
At the other end, Goulding was denied by a great save from Stephen Cluxton and the Dubs pushed on from there with two quickfire free from Bernard Brogan.
Kelly, Goulding and O’Neill kept plugging away for Cork , scoring a point apiece but it was too late and the homeside rounded off their win with a point from substitute Brian Cullen.
In Division Two, Dermot Molloy hit the net as Donegal put a poor Tyrone side to the sword in a seven-point win.
The Division Four fixture between Fermanagh and Longford ended in a six-point win for the visitors.
NFL Division 1
Dublin 3-13 0-16 Cork
NFL Division 2
Tyrone 0-06 Donegal 1-10
NFL Division 4
Fermanagh 0-05 Longford 1-08