Cork v Donegal: How the footballers rated in Páirc Uí Rinn upset

CHRIS KELLY: Stood up to a big goal chance for McBrearty in the first half. Good variety and distance on his kick-outs, even if the odd one went astray. 7.

KEVIN FLAHIVE: Had his hands full with McBrearty in the opening period. Came into his own in the second half and you could see what it meant to him as he celebrated the final whistle. 7.

DANIEL O’MAHONY: Did a top job on Oisín Gallen. Maturing into an exceptional and disciplined man-marker. 8.

MAURICE SHANLEY: The full-back line denied Donegal the goal they needed. Top job. 7.

TOMMY WALSH: Full of hard running and athleticism, including a terrific catch on a first-half kick-out. Eventually shipped a knock and went off but like O’Mahony, now a standout defender. 8.  

RORY MAGUIRE: His size and strength were very impactful across the half-back line, but most importantly, he grabbed that killer third goal. 7.

MATTIE TAYLOR: Sensational goal, eating up the ground after taking possession on Seán Powter’s turnover inside Cork’s half to stitch the ball into the net. 9.

IAN MAGUIRE: Used his size effectively under kick-outs. A leader and Cork got the upper hand in midfield for periods, which was decisive. 8. 

COLM O’CALLAGHAN: Quiet in the first half and blocked on the line when Brian Hurley teed up him for a goal just before the break. Stormed into the second half, setting up Powter’s goal and landing two points, including one sweet curling effort. 8.

PAUL WALSH: Put in the hard yards as he always does. Arrowed over a majestic score in the first half too. 7. 

SEÁN POWTER: Collected so much possession as a counter-attacking playmaker in the 11 geansaí. Snapped up the ball for Taylor’s goal. Raised his own green flag in the second half before going off injured. 8. 

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL: As he has been all season for the footballers, shone as a ball-winner and direct runner from the wing. 8. 

MARK CRONIN: Picked ahead of Conor Corbett and popped up everywhere and fired a shot off the post. 

Fouled for a converted free. 7.

BRIAN HURLEY: Did a lot of his best work back the pitch, as he tackled ferociously. Unlucky with a couple of first-half opportunities, hitting a post and also denied a goal. Grabbed a score from play in the second half, nailed a key free and left nothing out there before coming off late. 8. 

CHRIS ÓG JONES: Lobbed over two sweet first-half points while another effort clipped the post. Energetic and effective. 8.

Subs:

CONOR CORBETT: Couldn’t get the ball to bounce in his favour after replacing Powter. Kept showing though. 6.

STEVEN SHERLOCK: Caused constant problems for the Donegal rearguard in the last 25 minutes, nailing the point to put Cork back in front and setting up a score for Hurley. 7.

THOMAS CLANCY: Veteran defender did well after coming on for Tommy Walsh. 6.

RUAIRÍ DEANE, EOGHAN McSWEENEY, SEÁN MEEHAN: Introduced in the last 10 minutes. 6.