The wait for a first Allianz National League Division 2 victory of the season goes on for Cork while Galway remain firmly in the promotion hunt following Saturday's clash at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Despite a gutsy showing, Keith Ricken and his new-look Cork panel are facing into a relegation dogfight after Galway inflicted a third league defeat in four outings on the Rebels.
The outcome of Cork’s remaining league games with fellow relegation dwellers Down, Meath and Offaly will decide if the former stays in Division 2 or faces the prospect of dropping down to Division 3.
As for Galway, the Connacht side were pushed all the way during a high-scoring first half that concluded 1-12 apiece before scoring two crucial second-half goals to maintain their undefeated record.
Blake Murphy fired in a superb goal early on for Cork before their opponents responded. Shane Walsh won and converted a penalty prior to the Connacht side enjoying a productive spell to move 1-08 to 1-04 ahead.
Creditably, Cork hit back with Steven Sherlock landing four consecutive frees and Blake Murphy adding a marvelous score from distance to edge Cork 1-09 to 1-08 ahead after 30 action-packed minutes.
There was still plenty of injury time to allow both sides find their range with Owen Gallagher, Shane Walsh, Robert Finnerty and Matthew Tierney scoring for the visitors. Kevin O'Donovan, Tadhg Corkery and John O’Rourke responded for the Rebels to leave nothing between the teams at the interval.
Shane Walsh converted a free at the beginning of the second period but once again, Cork responded with Sherlock levelling from a free.
Galway upped the tempo from that point onwards, forcing Chris Kelly into a pair is excellent saves. Sherlock kept Cork in touch before two goals in 90 seconds decided the outcome of the match.
First, Damien Comer won possession from a high pass into the danger area, turned two Cork defenders and wrestled his way towards the edge of the square before firing home.
Sherlock landed a point from the ensuing kick-out but Galway, as they had done all afternoon, found acres of space down the middle and Walsh raced through to hammer in a superb goal into the net. A Walsh free and two more points from play made it 3-19 to 1-15 to cement Galway’s eventual victory.
It was fitting that Walsh had such a say in a game the talented forward dominated throughout the afternoon. Cork can take solace from their efforts and their best display of the year so far but it was Galway who left Leeside looking good for promotion after a high-scoring game.
Cork: Chris Kelly; Billy Hennessy, Kevin Flahive, Tadhg Corkery (0-01); Kevin O’Donovan (0-01), Sean Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire (0-01), Rory Maguire (0-01); Dan Dineen, Fionn Herlihy, Colm O’Callaghan; Blake Murphy (1-02), Steven Sherlock (0-10, 0-06fs), John O’Rourke (0-01).
Subs: Cian Kiely for S Meehan (43), Paudie Allen for T Corkery (57), Eoghan McSweeney for B Hennessy (60), Daniel O’Connell (1-00) for J O’Rourke 63, Míchéal Martin for C Kelly (65).
Galway: Conor Flaherty; Kieran Molloy (0-01), Séan Kelly, Liam Silke; Dylan McHugh (0-01), John Daly, Johnny Heaney; Paul Conroy (0-01), Paul Kelly; Matthew Tierney (0-02), Shane Walsh (2-07, 1-00 pen, 0-4fs), Owen Gallagher (0-01); Robert Finnerty (0-04), Damien Comer (1-01), Dessie Conneely (0-02).
Subs: Tony Gill (0-01) for D McHugh (15, blood), D McHugh for T Gill (26, blood), Cathal Sweeney for O Gallagher (39), Tony Gill for P Kelly (54), Finnian Ó Laoí for J Heaney (60), Darragh Silke for S Walsh (63), Niall Daly for P Conroy (68).
Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath).
