Derry grind Cork down to book All-Ireland semi-final spot

Not a performance perhaps to send the neutrals scurrying to back Derry for Sam but a win is a win at this stage of the All-Ireland SFC race and Derry are safely through to the last four.

The back to back Ulster champions put in a professional performance at Croke Park, ultimately sealing victory over a determined Cork with a strong third quarter display.

Leading by just a point at half-time, Ciaran Meenagh's men tagged on 1-04 in the 15 or so minutes after half-time, half-back Conor Doherty striking the 49th minute goal, to open up a five-point lead which provided a vital cushion in the run.

They shouldn't have needed that cushion as Shane McGuigan, who top scored for Derry with four points, had a 72nd minute penalty kick saved by Cork goalkeeper Michéal Aodh Martin.

Eoghan McSweeney responded to that miss with a point for Cork who trailed by four in the closing moments and pushed hard for a goal but it never arrived as Derry held on.

They will return to Croke Park in a fortnight for an All-Ireland semi-final, the same stage they reached last year under former boss Rory Gallagher, while Cork's season is over.

With two losses from their opening three Championship games, and coming up against an unbeaten Derry side, Cork were naturally underdogs and the first 25 minutes or so played out upon anticipated lines.

Derry, inspired by Gareth McKinless who was named Man of the Match, led 0-06 to 0-02 at that stage with McGuigan, Ethan Doherty and Paul Cassidy all helping themselves to a brace of points each. It wasn't Derry at their free-flowing best but they were purposeful and efficient.

Cork only scored once from play in that period, Colm O'Callaghan's sixth minute point following a turnover at the other end of the field.

Both sides