A Patrick Horgan goal proved crucial as Cork overcame Galway in Division 1A in front of over 13,000 supporters at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The scenario was straightforward for Cork manager Kieran Kingston ahead of throw-in. Victory over Galway would cement a place in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 semi-finals with the added bonus of a game to spare.
As for Cork's opponents, Galway were looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Wexford.
Cork moved three points up inside 7 minutes as Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Barrett and Patrick Horgan (free) split the posts. Ronan Glennon replied for Galway and the scores kept coming as Harnedy and Conor Cooney (free) exchanged points.
Galway trailed 0-7 to 0-5 at the conclusion of a lively opening quarter as Horgan and O’Flynn traded scores with Ronan Glennon, Cathal Mannion and Tom Monaghan. The latter and Robert Downey received early yellow cards before Galway enjoyed a purple patch and moved within a point of the hosts.
A pivotal moment occurred after 27 minutes when Patrick Horgan raced clear and found the bottom corner of the net to edge Cork four points clear. Late flurries of scores at either end saw the Rebels change ends 1-13 to 0-11 in front.
Patrick Horgan with the first goal of the game as the Cork ace pounces on a mistake in the Galway defence.
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The pattern of the second half matched that of the first with both sides finding their range during the third quarter.
Horgan kept the scoreboard ticking over but a dogged Galway remained in the game thanks to scores from Tom Monaghan (0-04), Conor Cooney (6f) and the excellent Ronan Glennon (0-05).
Galway goalkeeper Éanna Murphy made a superb save from Sean Twomey to deny Cork a second goal but the Rebels kept Galway at arm’s length during the closing stages, thanks to Horgan’s ability from frees and deservedly ran out 1-26 to 0-23 winners.
The Patrick Horgan fan club was in good voice after tonight's game! pic.twitter.com/qcGbEipfab
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 5, 2022
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 1-13 (0-2 65', 0-8f), Seamus Harnedy 0-4, Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Barrett, Mark Coleman 0-2 each, Ger Millerick, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tim O’Mahony 0-1 each.
Scorers for Galway: Conor Cooney 0-6 (0-6f), Ronan Glennon 0-5, Tom Monaghan 0-4, Gavin Lee, Jospeh Cooney 0-2 each, Cathal Mannion, Jack Hastings Conor Whelan, Tiernan Kileen 0-1 each.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Damien Cahalane, Daire O’Leary, Sean O’Donoghue; Tim O’Mahony, Mark Coleman (captain), Robert Downey; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Ger Millerick; Robbie O’Flynn, Shane Barrett, Jack O’Connor; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Seamus Harnedy.
Subs: Conor Lehane for J O’Connor 43, Sean Twomey for A Connolly 50, Luke Meade for R Downey 53, Conor Cahalane for S Barrett 62, Brian Roche for S Harnedy 73.
Galway: Éanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Daithi Burke (captain), Adrian Tuohey; Tiernan Killeen, Padraic Mannion, Fintan Burke; Johnny Coen, Ronan Glennon; Tom Monaghan, Conor Cooney, Jack Hastings; Cathal Mannion, Conor Whelan, Gavin Lee.
Subs: Joseph Cooney for J Hastings 43, Darren Morrissey for A Tuohey 45, Sean Loftus for J Coen 57, Kevin Cooney for G Lee 68, Greg Thomas for T Monaghan 71.
Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)
