Down close to causing Rebel upset

Down almost pulled off the shock of the season as they tested Cork to the hilt in their Allianz NHL Division 1A at Ballygalget this afternoon, before going down 2-05 to 1-10.

A 52nd-minute goal from substitute Eoin Murphy livened up Gerald McCarthy's Rebels after they had been left trailing by 2-05 to 0-06.

A snow storm forced referee Jim O'Rourke to call a temporary halt to proceedings after 25 minutes when Down were 1-04 to 0-04 ahead.

The sides added a point each before half-time but Gareth Johnson's 42nd-minute goal proved to be the hosts' final score.

Murphy's goal and points from Kieran Murphy, Joe Deane and Cathal Naughton saw Cork sneak home.

Down adapted quickly to the wintry conditions and were left ruing six wides in an opening half that should have seen them put the visitors to the sword.

Paddy Coulter managed to find the net, beating Cork keeper Anthony Nash with a low angled drive, before the elements forced O'Rourke and the players to take shelter.

Cork, who struck three wides in the first half, had an ideal chance to get themselves back on terms but their captain Kieran Murphy’s penalty shot was brilliantly blocked by Down centre-back Stephen Murray on the line.

Murphy redeemed himself somewhat when he lashed over the opening point of the second half, but Down continued to put the pressure on a Cork defence, which had Killian Cronin starting at full-back.

That pressure told when Brendan McGourty dangled a '65' right into the danger area and big 'Magic' Johnson, who was playing for the county’s footballers last week, doubled on it to flash a shot beyond Nash’s reach.

However, Cork boss McCarthy's substitutions worked a treat as goal scorer Murphy, who made his league debut against Offaly last month, and Naughton played key roles having been sprung from the bench.

Erin's Own youngster Murphy netted with his first touch of the ball and quick points from Kieran Murphy and Deane (two frees) edged Cork into a 1-09 to 2-05.

The lively Naughton whacked over the insurance point, a minute from time, as Cork, who entertain Wexford next time out, scrambled to their second win of the campaign.