The one big fear shared by all hurlers who wear helmets with visors became reality for Cork's centre half back Brian Corcoran just before halftime at Pairc Ui Rinn yesterday. The sliotar got though the bars of his headgear and struck the Erin's Own man on an eye. He was taken to the University hospital at half-time, but was released last night.
A crushed silence fell on the ground as the Cork star went down heavily from the blow. Surprisingly, he initially resumed playing after first aid. But Jimmy Barry Murphy could not conceal his concern in the immediate wake of the final whistle and the accident had obviously tempered for him what was a highly-impressive opening win by the National League title holders.
Corcoran was replaced for the second half by Sean Og O hAilpin, and throughout the third quarter Cork, now playing with a strong following wind, became a dominant force and moved from a position of parity at half time, 0-6 apiece, to open a four-point gap.
Barry Murphy was not too concerned to have watched his side fail to sustain that early second-half ebullience. "Sometimes it works out that way," he opined.
But the Cork manager had real reason to be pleased with his side's response to a goal against the run of play for Kilkenny seven minutes from time, a brilliant score by their great young prospect Henry Shefflin.
The goal put the sides on level terms, 1-8 to 0-11, but Cork's reply was decisive, with Timmy McCarthy leading the way in a dynamic three-point barrage in as many minutes. Joe Deane and Fergal McCormack joined in to administer Cork's killer blows.
"The goal, a very well taken score, could have been a problem for us, but for the way our lads struck back," said Barry Murphy.
Cork midfielder Pat Ryan had the home crowd roaring with approval as he doubled on a ball in mid-air to epitomise the spirit of a Cork side showing off some new talent. Derek Barrett completed a midfield pairing that Kilkenny could never really match. DJ Carey had an undistinguished spell in the sector before switching to the left wing of attack.
"I didn't do much for the time I was in the middle but sometimes that's the way it goes when the ball does not run in your direction," Carey explained. The Kilkenny stalwart managed one fine point that gave Kilkenny the lead at 0-4 to 0-3 after 15 minutes.
But Cork's display was of confidence and greater reliability. Their forwards were more assured than Kilkenny's, who struck 10 wides in the hour against a mere four for Cork. Despite this, Kilkenny manager Brian Cody was pleased with the commitment of his team. "We were competitive to the end," he said. The strength of the wind was always going to be a factor, yet Cork captain Derek Landers, having won the toss, elected to play against it. "I would have done the same," said Kilkenny's Cody.
The Cork defence sparkled in every position with team captain Landers playing an inspiring role at right wing back. The response was huge from Dan Murphy, Diarmuid O'Sullivan and Johnny Sheehan especially.
There wasn't a single passenger in the Cork attack either, with Timmy McCarthy leading a unit in which Joe Deane and Sean McGrath spelt danger for the sometimes tentative Kilkenny rearguard every time they got possession. Kilkenny defender Philip Larkin did, however, make it a little more difficult for the Cork front-runners once he found his best form in the second half.
Barry Murphy was pleased with the displays of his team's lesser-known players. "We are using the league to develop the panel and put pressure on the more established players. I make no bones about it when I say every place in the team is up for grabs." Cork clearly showed that they have the talent in the panel. Their reserve strength was far more impressive than Kilkenny's. Their achievement in this game was three-fold; to be level at half-time having played against the storm, a superb opening to the second half and the answer they gave to their opponents with decisive scores in the closing stages.
CORK: D Og Cusack; D Murphy, D O'Sullivan W Sherlock; M Landers (0-1, free), B Corcoran, J Sheehan; D Barrett (0-1), P Ryan (0-1); K Morrison (0-1), T McCarthy (0-2), F McCormack (0-1); S McGrath (0-3), S O'Farrell, J Deane (0-4, one free). Subs: S Og O hAilpin for Corcoran, half-time; N Ronan for O'Farrell (45 mins).
KILKENNY: M Carey; J Butler, J Costelloe, P Larkin; M Kavanagh, E Kennedy, P Barry; A Comerford, DJ Carey (0-1); H Shefflin (1-4, three frees), J Hoyne, D Maher; K O'Shea, J Dooley, C Carter (0-4).
Referee: A Mac Suibhne (Dublin).
