REMEMBER THESE: Memorable Offaly and Cork past meetings

1995 National Hurling League Quarter Final

Offaly book league semi-final spot with second half surge

Offaly 3-10

Cork 2-11

ALL-IRELAND champions Offaly were forced to fight all the way before they eventually accounted for an understrength Cork outfit by two points in an exciting finish to their National Hurling League quarter final in Thurles.

The game could have gone to extra time when Cork's Mark Mullins was presented with a clear goal scoring opportunity but he blasted the ball over the bar, much to the relief of the Offaly contingent in the official attendance of over 10,300.

Cork were a little unlucky not to finish level in normal time and can only blame some poor finishing for letting Offaly off the hook. Johnny Clifford's young guns amassed 12 wides compared to eight for Offaly and some of their misses in front of goal must have made some of their older followers shake their heads in dismay.

Offaly also missed several goal scoring chances but when Cork were a major force any forward wouldn't miss a good scoring opportunity from close range. The All-Ireland champions booked a league semi-final clash with Kilkenny, although their forwards didn't click as a unit throughout.

Experience, self belief and confidence were also other factors which helped the Faithful County score a rare win over a team that has inflicted heavy defeats on them in the past.

Even though Offaly conceded a goal early in both halves, the confidence and teamwork which they built up by winning the previous year's All-Ireland helped them survive several lean patches.

Offaly started without any of the Birr players who had helped their club win the All-Ireland Club title for the first time the previous weekend, but Brian Whelahan, Johnny Pilkington and Daithi Regan were introduced during the game and their contributions were vital to Offaly's victory.

The first half was something of a pedestrian affair and at times Offaly looked very ordinary. But some of the scores and the high drama of the final quarter ensured this clash ended in a welter of excitement.

Playing into the wind Cork made a good start and aided by Barry Egan\s goal were five points up by the midway point of the first half. Offaly responded and Pat O'Connor's goal helped to put them in front and Offaly went on to lead by 1-6 to 1-4 at half time.

A minute after the restart Alan Browne scrambled home a Cork goal as Cork went two ahead again. Offaly hit back to level and then Pat O'Connor drilled home his second goal. Cork battled away and levelled with two minutes remaining but John Troy then struck for Offaly's third goal. Mark Mullins had a chance to level it for Cork but shot over the bar and Offaly held on to win by two points.

Scorers: Offaly: Johnny Dooley (0-6, 0-2 frees and 0-1 '65'), Pat O'Connor (2-0), John Troy (1-0), Joe Dooley (0-2), Billy Dooley and Brian Whelahan (0-1 each).

Cork: Barry Egan (0-7, 0-5 frees), Alan Browne (2-0), Michael Ryan, Fergal McCormack, Darren Ronan and Mark Mullins (0-1 each).

OFFALY: David Hughes; Shane McGuckin, Kevin Kinahan, Martin Hanamy; P.J. Martin, Hubert Rigney, Kevin Martin; Pat Temple, Michael Duignan; Johnny Dooley, John Troy, Joe Dooley; Billy Dooley, Brendan Kelly, Pat O'Connor. Subs: Brian Whelahan (for Pat Temple, 14 mins), Johnny Pilkington (for Brendan Kelly, half-time), Daithi Regan (for Billy Dooley, 55 mins).

CORK: Ian Lynham; Eamonn Morrissey, John O'Driscoll, Pat Kenneally; Peter Smith, Brian Corcoran, Denis Walsh; Fergal McCormack, Fergal Ryan; Mark Mullins, Michael Ryan, Barry Egan; Darren Ronan, Alan Browne, Kevin Murray. Subs: Ger Manley (for Fergal Ryan, 39 mins), Alan Cummins (for Kevin Murray, 51 mins), Sean MacCarthy, (for Eamonn Morrissey 46 mins).

REFEREE: Willie Barrett (Tipperary).

SEE NEXT: Throwback pics of Offaly V Cork GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship 2012

1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-final

Cork's flying finish floors Faithful County

Cork 0-19

Offaly 0-16

FIVE unanswered points in the closing seven minutes finally swung an enthralling Guinness All-Ireland Senior Hurling semi-final in Cork's favour as Offaly relinquished thier grip on the Liam McCarthy Cup at Cork Park.

It was a game that was brimful of great skill, some wonderful scores and a tremendous exhibition of all this is good in hurling. It proved once again why hurling followers believe that when played like this, there is no other game to compare with hurling.

It is even more to the credit of both sides that this excellent display was produced in terrible conditions. Heavy rain made the pitch heavy and slippy and there was also a strong wind, but the players overcame the elements and produced hurling of the highest calibre.

This was a game which ebbed and flowed over the 70 minutes as one side and then the other appeared to be gaining the ascendancy. The sides were level eight times in all and there was never more than three points between them at any stage.

Offaly had the early advantage but Cork levelled and points were then exchanged through most of the first half until Offaly forged 0-9 to 0-6 clear. Helped by three frees late in the half, Cork reduced the gap to one point, 0-10 to 0-9, at half time.

Cork made a flying start to the second half and were 0-13 to 0-10 in front after five minutes. Offaly hit back to level and then moved 0-16 to 0-14 ahead with 10 minutes left.

However Cork had the final say with those five points in the last seven minutes to claim their place in the All-Ireland Final for the first time since 1992.

If Offaly were to lose, it is a small consolation that they went out with their heads held high, playing hurling of the highest quality and in a game that will be remembered for a long time to come. They proved that they were worthy All-Ireland champions and on the day were just edged out by a fast improving Cork team which has been successfully blended together by Jimmy Barry Murphy, playing a fast and exciting brand of hurling.

This game was filled with great moments of individual skill and great artistry. One remembers the wonderful skill of John Troy as he nicked the ball off Brian Corcoran's stick before racing away to point in the second half to spark Offaly's revival.

Scorers: Cork; Joe Deane (0-10, 0-7 frees) Sean McGrath, Fergal McCormack, Ben O'Connor (0-2 each), Michael O'Connell, Alan Browne, Kevin Murray (0-1 each).

Offaly. Johnny Dooley (0-5, 0-3 frees), Johnny Pilkington, John Troy, Joe Dooley (0-2 each), Paudie Mulhare, John Ryan, Michael Duignan, Billy Dooley (0-1 each), Brian Whelahan (0-1, free),

CORK: Donal Og Cusack; Fergal Ryan, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, John Browne; Wayne Sherlock, Brian Corcoran, Sean Og O hAilpin; Mark Landers, Michael O'Connell; Timmy McCarthy, Fergal McCormack (0-2), Neil Ronan; Sean McGrath, Joe Deane, Ben O'Connor. Subs. Alan Browne (for Neil Ronan, 30 mins), Kevin Murray (for Timmy McCarthy, 50 mins), Johnny Sheehan (for Michael O'Connell, 65 mins).

OFFALY; Stephen Byrne; Simon Whelahan, Kevin Kinahan, Martin Hanamy; Brian Whelahan (0-1, free), Hubert Rigney, Kevin Martin; Johnny Dooley, Johnny Pilkington; Paudie Mulhare, John Ryan, Michael Duignan; John Troy, Joe Errity, Joe Dooley. Subs. Billy Dooley (for Joe Errity, 22 mins), Gary Hanniffy (for John Ryan, 42 mins).

REFEREE: Dickie Murphy (Wexford).

2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Majestic Offaly topple champs in enthralling contest

Offaly 0-19

Cork 0-15

WRITE Offaly off at your peril. Cork learned that harsh message when they lost their All-Ireland crown to a rejuvenated Offaly side which put all its troubles behind it to produce a breathtaking display of hurling at its best.

Cork were stunned by the intensity of the Offaly performance, particularly in the second half when the defence was magnificent, and they simply had no answer to a power packed and dazzling Offaly display.

Following their disappointing displays against Kilkenny and Derry in their two previous outings, Offaly were given little chance against a Cork side which had blazed a trail through Munster again and looked destined to be heading for a second All-Ireland Final in succession.

However, Offaly tore up the script and produced the type of hurling which had been missing from their earlier encounters. They displayed their pride in the green, white and gold, and with a display of passion, power and intensity, they wore down the champions and stormed to a famous victory.

Twelve months previously the same two sides produced a thrilling display of hurling, and they provided a contest to match that again. There were brilliant scores, wonderful defending and bountiful examples of the art and craft that makes hurling such a joy to watch.

When Cork raced into a three point lead after just three minutes, the warning signals were sounding for Offaly, but they kept their heads and settled into the game. They cut the lead back to the minimum but three times in the opening half Cork stretched three points in front.

However, they were never able to stretch any further ahead. Twice Offaly cut the lead to the minimum but on the third occasion they struck back to level and five minutes before the break went in front for the first time. Cork finished the half well and went in leading 0-12 to 0-10.

Five minutes after the break Cork were three points up for the fourth time but the next five points all fell to Offaly, who had risen their game to another level at this stage.

Cork cut the gap to the minimum again but Offaly responded with four more points to secure their place in the All-Ireland Final for the fourth time in seven years.

This was a tremendous team performance by Offaly. All fifteen players contributed enormously to the victory. They fought like demons, provided wonderful support for one another and battled away until the final whistle. The contrast between this and their earlier performances was huge but Offaly had a point to prove after being written off so much, and they showed that they are still capable of producing it on the big occasion.

One of the many highlights of the victory was the performance given by the younger members of the team. Gary Hanniffy, Brendan Murphy and Niall Claffey enhanced their growing reputations with tremendous displays, players like Ger Oakley and John Ryan came in and played out of their skins, while others like Simon Whelahan and Michael Duignan were back to their best again.

Scorers: Offaly; Johnny Dooley (0-7, 0-3 frees, 0-1 '65'), Johnny Pilkington (0-4), Gary Hanniffy (0-3), Joe Dooley (0-2), Ger Oakley, Brendan Murphy, John Ryan (0-1 each).

Cork; Joe Deane (0-10, 0-6 frees), Pat Ryan, Derek Barrett, Alan Browne, Sean McGrath, Ben O'Connor (0-1 each).

OFFALY: Stephen Byrne; Simon Whelahan, Kevin Kinahan, Niall Claffey; Brian Whelahan, Joe Errity, Kevin Martin; Johnny Dooley, Ger Oakley; Johnny Pilkington, Gary Hanniffy, Brendan Murphy; Michael Duignan, John Ryan, Joe Dooley. Subs. Paudie Mulhare (for Michael Duignan, 69 mins), Cillian Farrell (for Johnny Pilkington, 71 mins).

CORK: Donal Og Cusack; Fergal Ryan, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, John Browne; Wayne Sherlock, Brian Corcoran, Sean Og O hAilpin; Pat Ryan, Derek Barrett; Timmy McCarthy, Fergal McCormack, Alan Browne; Sean McGrath, Joe Deane, Ben O'Connor. Subs. Kevin Murray (for Timmy McCarthy, 48 mins), Michael O'Connell (for Pat Ryan, 54 mins), Neil Ronan (for Fergal McCormack, 57 mins).

REFEREE: Willie Barrett (Tipperary).