1. Ryan O’Dwyer’s sending-off
For the third Cork game in a row, much of the post-match debate focused on a red card that was brandished by the referee.
After Patrick Horgan in the Munster final and Henry Shefflin in the All-Ireland quarter-final, Ryan O’Dwyer became the latest man in the spotlight.
O’Dwyer could have no complaints about his second yellow card but the first booking in the early moments of the match was where the argument lay.
But given that he was already booked, O’Dwyer’s second-half challenge on Lorcan McLoughlin was reckless and risky. The subsequent sending-off was a serious setback for Dublin’s aspirations at a juncture when they seemed on the cusp of getting a grip on the game.
And Cork exploited the advantage as they shored up in defence and again demonstrated the intelligence to allow Conor O’Sullivan to calmly and efficiently mop up the loose ball as the spare man.
2. Cork finally hit the net
In their last four senior hurling championship games before yesterday, Cork had not managed to set the opposition net dancing.
They didn’t threaten Dublin’s goal frequently either yesterday to call Gary Maguire into action. Dublin’s inside line monitored the Cork forward’s movements closely with Peter Kelly particularly diligent in protecting the danger area.
But while it took them until the 66th minute yesterday to see their team raise a green flag, it was worth the wait for Cork’s supporters given the significance in shaping the outcome of this game.
Patrick Cronin’s lofted delivery was not dealt with by Gary Maguire and the poacher instincts of Cork’s attacking talisman Patrick Horgan proved crucial. That goal gave Cork the breathing space and killed off Dublin’s challenge.
3. Dublin not able to kick on in finale
Anthony Daly’s side have shown a habit of opening up in the second-half of matches this summer and hitting their stride.
Their powerful finale play enabled them to pull Wexford back in the provincial quarter-final and continue to exert their authority over Kilkenny in the Leinster semi-final.
Even in the Leinster final when Galway pounced for two goals that hinted they were able to mount a revival, Dublin ploughed on undeterred to outscore them by 0-8 to 0-2 before the finish.
Yesterday Dublin could not get tap into that vein of form in the final quarter. Their cause wasn’t helped by the sending-off of Ryan O’Dwyer and they couldn’t cope as Cork brought a ferocity to their defensive play in the second-half.
Dublin only hit 0-3 in the last 25 minutes of the game and Danny Sutcliffe’s 54th minute beauty was the solitary effort from play in that time frame.
4. Cork’s forwards hit full speed
The Rebels attack endured a testing day at the office in the Munster final as they found themselves frustrated in the Gaelic Grounds. Seamus Harnedy was the main player to make headway that afternoon against a formidable Limerick defence.
Cork hit 0-15 in that game but there were more encouraging signs against Kilkenny as they chalked up 0-19 in Semple Stadium.
And yesterday was the day they exploded into life. All six got on the scoresheet and while Anthony Nash, Lorcan McLoughlin and Daniel Kearney all notched 0-7 between them, Cork’s end total of 1-24 owed much to a seriously impressing showing up front.
Patrick Horgan was his usual reliable self in chalking up a fine score, 1-7 on this occasion with 1-2 from play, while Harnedy continued his great debut season.
The eye-catching inputs were from Midleton duo Luke O’Farrell and Conor Lehane whose combination play was sublime at stages and they reeled off 0-5 between them.
5. JBM’s managerial feats continue
His exploits as a player and manager in claiming All-Ireland titles before the end of the last millennium had already ensured Jimmy Barry-Murphy occupied a lofty status in Cork GAA circles.
But his feats in his second coming as Cork boss have reaffirmed that. 2012 represented progress in contesting a league final and an All-Ireland semi-final.
Vital experience was absorbed by his players then yet 2013 has been testing with the setback they suffered in the shape of league relegation in April.
To turn matters around over the course of the summer is a superb testament to Barry-Murphy and his managerial cohorts. They have now defeated next Sunday’s semi-finalists Clare, the reigning All-Ireland champions and the current Leinster champions.
Cork are now 70 minutes away from adding another milestone to JBM’s glittering career.
