Cork Fall To Kerry At Croker

All-Ireland Football Semi-Final
Kerry 0-16 Cork 0-10

Once again Cork failed to produce at Croke Park the form that they have consistently shown at Pairc Ui Chaoimh or Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney. Suffering their third defeat in a semi final against Kerry, Cork nevertheless have the satisfaction of pushing Kerry much harder than in previous encounters with their Munster rivals at semi-final stage.

With the selection of 6 feet five inches tall Kieran Donaghy at full forward, Kerry's tactics were well signalled in advance. At almost every opportunity Kerry launched the high ball into the Cork square where the tall Austin Stack's man was positioned.

Despite the best efforts of Cork full back, Derek Kavanagh, in limiting him to a single point from play, Donaghy played a major role in Kerry's victory. Every time he went near or got the ball an obvious unease spread through the Cork defence. Only the quick action and bravery of the Cork goalkeeper, Quirke, prevented Donaghy scoring a certain goal in the opening minute.

Recalling the effect on the teams morale, and subsequent performances in the Munster Final that scoring goals had on Cork, it was clear that if they were to maintain any hope of victory similar goals had to be scored in order to unravel the Kerry defence. Regrettably for Cork no such goals were forthcoming despite playing almost as well as Kerry in the opening 35 minutes.

Another difficulty that Cork encountered and that proved fatal in the end was the accumulation of injuries sustained by midfielder Nicholas Murphy. As early as the first minute murphy was in the wars with an ankle injury. Despite playing his heart out he was unable to exert the influence that Cork's chances demanded.

To compound Cork's misery, Murphy's immediate opponent, Dara O Se availed of his opponent's difficulties to put in another capital performance one to equal if not better his display against Armagh.

The other main talking point of the game was the ability of the Kerry half backs, midfield and half forwards to collect the vast majority of the breaking ball enabling them to launch continuous attacks on the Cork defence which kept the latter on the back foot throughout and preventing any counter attack of their own.

In addition to Donaghy and O Shea, Kerry had another player, Mike Frank Russell, who caused Cork untold problems. Showing a marked return to form he proved a major threat throughout the game.

To Cork's credit, they never threw in the towel and were game to the last. The loss of regular full back, Graham Canty, and the failure of chief scorer, James Masters, to exert his Munster Final form were to prove crucial in the end. For much of the second half Cork's efforts were more of an individualistic nature lacking the collective element that makes Kerry play so difficult to counteract. Kerry-worthy winners and All Ireland finalists.

Teams And Scorers:
Kerry: D Murphy; M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan; (0-01), S Moynihan, A O'Mahony; T Griffin; S O'Sullivan (0-02 (0-01 sl)), E Brosnan, P Galvin (0-01); C Cooper (Capt.) (0-04 (0-03f)), K Donaghy (0-01), MF Russell (0-06 (0-03f)). Subs used: Declan O'Sullivan (0-01) for Brosnan (44 mins), Darren O'Sullivan for S O'Sullivan (59), E Fitzmaurice for Griffin (64)
Cork: A Quirke; M Prout, D Kavanagh (Capt.), K O'Connor; M Shields, G Spillane, A Lynch; P O'Neill, N Murphy; S O'Brien (0-01), C McCarthy (0-01), K McMahon; J Masters (0-05 (0-04f)), D O'Connor (0-02), J Hayes. Subs used: G Murphy for Shields (27 mins), N O'Leary for Prout, K O'Sullivan (0-01) for Hayes (both half-time), D Niblock for McCarthy (49), F Goold for O'Neill (59)
Referee: John Bannon (Longford)

All Ireland Football Quarterfinal Replay
Mayo 0-14 Laois 0-11

This quarter final replay played at Croke Park on Sunday never reached the heights of the drawn game the previous week. Over the hour plus Mayo looked the more accomplished team and looked the likely winners throughout. Laois repeated the tactic that served them so well last week by moving the high fielding Noel Garvan on to the edge of the Mayo square. However, on this occasion the tactic did not work as Garvan was consistently outplayed by Mayo captain, David Heaney.

Overall, the main problem that Laois encountered was the almost total failure of their attack to function properly. That their first score, a point from Beano McDonald did not arrive until the 18th minute illustrates the lack of potency of the forwards. By then, Mayo had three points on the board through Padden, Brady, and Dillon. During Mayo's early period of dominance some very scoreable opportunities were missed (4 in all) by aimlessly dropping the ball into the hands of Laois goalkeeper, Fergal Byron.

Towards the end of the first half Laois began to get more momentum going, mainly through the improved display of midfielder Clancy. In that period, Laois scored 3 points to leave them adrift at the break by the same margin, 0-7 to 0-4.

In the opening period of the second half, Laois continued to press for scores, but lack of power in the attack was undermining the good work. Their first point in that period came from a Munnelly free in the 40th minute. However, no sooner than had Laois appeared to get their accuracy in order when Mayo replied with two sublime points from McDonald and Mortimer.

In the closing ten minutes the Mayo midfielders, McGarrity and Harte began to re-assert themselves, thus curtailing any reasonable supply of ball that the starved Laois attack required. Two reasonable goal scoring opportunities were squandered through over elaboration by the Laois forwards as they fought hard to salvage the game.

Mayo, however managed to retain a three point gap between the teams and barring a mishap in defence victory was assured throughout the closing stages when at their best, playing the free flowing football that they are renowned for Mayo can look a very formidable outfit. If they can raise themselves to play to their potential, or near it, they can push Dublin all the way in next Sunday's eagerly awaited Semi-Final.

Best for Mayo were Healy, Nallen, and the two Higgins in defence. Midfielders McGarrity and Harte had some very productive periods, whilst in attack, McDonald, Dillon, Mortimer, and Brady impressed.

For Laois, Rooney and Kelly were strong defenders, Clancy had his moments at midfield, whilst in attack, Munnelly, Sheehan and sub, Brennan tried hardest. C

Teams And Scorers:
Mayo: D Clarke, D Geraghty, D Heaney, K Higgins (0-1), A Higgins (0-1), J Nallen, P Gardiner, R McGarrity (0-1), P Harte, W.J Padden (0-1), G Brady (0-1), C McDonald (0-1), A Dillon (0-2), C Mortimer (0-5), M Conroy. Subs, A Moran, K O Neill, A Kilcoyne (0-1)
Laois: F Byron, A Fennelly, D Rooney, J Higgins, P O Leary, T Kelly, P McMahon, B Quigley, P Clancy (0-1), R Munnelly (0-5), C Conway (0-2), B McCormack, B McDonald (0-2), N Garvan, B Sheehan. Subs, D Brennan (0-1), G Kavanagh, P Lalor

Morgan Censure

Cork manager, Billy Morgan, was forced to watch his team from the stands at Croke Park on Sunday last. Following his repeated incursions onto the field during the quarter final win over Donegal, Morgan was given a one match touchline ban. C

Micko Dwyer Severs Ties with Laois

After his charges defeat by Mayo in the All Ireland Quarter Final Replay with Mayo legendary Kerry man, Micko Dwyer resigned as manager of the Laois Senior Football team.

Blow to Kilkenny-Delaney out of All Ireland

Kilkenny's chances of regaining the All Ireland Senior Hurling title were dealt a severe blow at the weekend when All Star defender, J.J Delaney, was carried off injured in a training session. He suffered cruciate ligament damage and the injury will keep him out of hurling for at least 9 months. Hurler of the Year, J.J. was a vital link in the Kilkenny full back line and his loss is immense to the Cat's chances.