Cork see off Louth in lacklustre qualifier

Three goals in the closing stages gave an illusion of a dramatic encounter, but in a generally lacklustre round 1 qualifier at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, it was Cork that did enough to see off Louth to progress.

Both teams struggled to create openings – Steven Sherlock and Sam Mulroy keeping the umpires honest from frees – with Cork in particular looking unable to break down a packed defence despite dominating possession.

Mickey Harte's cagey game-plan appeared to be working a treat when Liam Jackson goaled in the 17th minute to cancel out Cork’s early scores, though they would add just one more score from play before the interval, through corner-back Dan Corcoran to trail by the bare minimum at the break, 0-07 to 1-03.

Brian Hurley was Cork’s only scorer from play, to go along with his two marks.

The second half followed a similar pattern, lacking championship intensity and attacking guile, with Louth never able to nudge ahead. Hurley’s 66th minute goal appeared to send the Rebels on their way, with Colm O’Callaghan’s lashed effort to the net making it a six-point game deep into injury time.

The Wee County still managed a goal through Conor Grimes, but it was too little too late as the home side ran out winners 2-12 to 2-08 and book their place in Monday's morning's second round draw.

Cork: C Kelly; S Powter, M Shanley, K O’Donovan; J Cooper, R Maguire, M Taylor; C O’Callaghan (1-00), I Maguire; J O’Rourke, E McSweeney, D Dineen; S Sherlock (0-08, 0-08fs), B Hurley (1-04, 0-2 marks), C O’Mahony.

Subs: B Hayes for O’Mahony (ht), D Gore for O’Rourke (50), T Corkery for Powter (temp, 68-71), C Kiely for Dineen (70), P Walsh for E McSweeney (73), T Corkery for Powter (74).

Louth: J Calliff; D Corcoran (0-01), B Duffy, D McKenny; D McConnon,