Cork 4-17; Offaly 1-10: Eamonn Collins notched a hat-trick in his side's comprehensive victory over Offaly at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. The UCC student, who was playing instead of the injured Alan Browne, helped Cork stay top of the division and kept them in contention for a semi-final place with just one game left.
Cork were always in control against Offaly, who struggled in most departments, especially in attack, where they came up against an impressive defence in which captain Wayne Sherlock and John Browne were prominent.
Alan Cummins gave Cork a pronounced advantage at midfield, while in attack all six home forwards got in on the scoring act, notably Collins and centre-forward Jerry O'Connor.
Collins struck for his opening goal after 16 minutes, rounding full back Seamus Tooher before beating goalkeeper Stephen Byrne with a powerful drive to leave Cork 1-4 to 0-3 in front.
Five minutes later he struck for his second goal. On this occasion Seanie McGrath set him up with a fine pass and Collins hit the ball into the top of the net for a 2-5 to 0-4 advantage.
Offaly introduced Joe Errity at this stage in an attempt to keep Collins quiet, but Cork went on to lead by 2-9 to 0-7 at the interval, with Johnny Dooley scoring five of his team's points.
The trend continued on the resumption, with Collins completing his hat-trick after 59 minutes.
Ben O'Connor created the opening with a strong run and clever pass, to which Collins applied another clinical finish. That left Cork 3-12 to 0-9 clear and the contest effectively over.
Offaly managed a consolation goal in the first minute of injury-time, when Rory Hannify scooped the ball home after a rebound from goalkeeper Donal Óg Cusack.
Cork's fourth came after O'Connor earned a penalty, full back Diarmuid O'Sullivan scoring with an unstoppable shot.
CORK: D Og Cusack; W Sherlock, captain, D O'Sullivan (1-0), F Ryan; D Barrett, J Browne, S Óg Ó Hailpín; A Cummins (0-2), T McCarthy (0-1); N Ronan (0-1), J O'Connor (0-5), B O'Connor (0-2); S McGrath (0-2), E Collins (3-1), J Deane (0-3). Subs. D Ronan for McGrath, B Lombard for Deane, P Mulcahy for Ryan, T Kenny for Barrett, P Ryan for McCarthy.
OFFALY: S Byrne; D Franks, S Tooher, D Moran; J Brady (0-1), H Rigney, W Comerford; R Hannify (1-1), G Oakley; S Brown, J Dooley (0-6), B Murphy; B Carroll, J Ryan (0-2), D Murray. Subs. J Errity for Moran, B Whelehan for Murray, M O'Hara for Brown, D Kelly for Carroll.
Referee. S McMahon (Clare).
Cork ... 4-17
Offaly ... 1-10
