Two early second half goals left Donegal with a mountain to climb as Cork ended Jim McGuinness’ team’s unbeaten league and championship run.
John Cleary’s side managed to rattle Donegal’s net on three occasions and that was the difference in this game.
Donegal battled like warriors in front of a crowd of more than 7,200 fans at Páirc Uí Rinn but could never get their noses in front after the early second half double blow.
Cork……3-9 Donegal …..0-16
They did manage to level matters but when referee Brendan Griffin controversially blew up Caolan McGonagle for over-carrying, it allowed Cork in again for the easiest of scores to gain advantage in the dying moments of this game.
Despite a first half goal for Cork, Donegal settled well with Patrick McBrearty, making his 150th appearance in a Donegal jersey, played a captain’s role in the opening period as Donegal went in at the break leading by two points on a scoreline of 1-4 to 0-9.
But all that was to change in the space of five minutes of the restart as Cork turned around a deficit of two points to a four point advantage, a footing which Donegal would never get over.
Although Donegal came into the game as unbeaten favourites after a blistering 2024, Cork knew that victory on home soil would put them in pole position in the group.
Having just about dispatched of Clare 1-14 to 1-12 in the group’s opening encounter two weeks ago, John Cleary had a game-plan for Jim McGuinness’ side.
Cleary was an interested spectator at both the Ulster Final against Armagh in Clones and indeed the semi-final against Tyrone and he left with a notebook full of pointers.
Played in blistering sunshine, a large traveling support answered Jim McGuinness’ battle cry and made the huge journey the length of the country to back his team.
Donegal’s Ryan McHugh looks for a way past Cork’s Paul Walsh during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The sides swapped points in the opening period with Donegal leading 0-3 to 0-2 in the 17th minutes.
But a Ryan McHugh mistake allowed Cork to break quickly and Matty Taylor managed to beat the scrambling Shaun Patton with a powerful effort to put Cork in front on a scoreline of 1-3 to 0-3.
It was early days and further points from McBrearty (5 in total in the opening half), Ciaran Moore, Niall O’Donnell and Oisin Gallen put Donegal back in control.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen gets his pass away as Cork’s Daniel O’Mahony closes in during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The second half exploded into life as Cork burst out of the blocks with two devastating goals to turn a two point deficit into a four point advantage.
Rory Maguire and Sean Powter netted as half the crowd of the attendance of more than 7,200 went wild as the other half sat muted.
And when Brian Hurley pointed for Cork in the 41st minute, Donegal found themselves five points for the first time this season.
Donegal didn’t panic but despite opting for a high press they found it difficult to turn their possession into scores as they failed to break the Cork line.
Jason McGee was subbed off as Odhran Doherty came on as Jim McGuinness opted to set up Ciaran Thompson and Michael Langan in the middle of the park.
McBrearty chipped in with another two, Oisin Gallen pointed again and Ryan McHugh did likewise as Donegal hauled themselves back into the game.
When Caolan McGonagle took his first point of the afternoon in the 65th minute, the Donegal crowd were beginning to believe with just one point in the game.
The noise was deafening and mostly coming from those in the green and gold when sub Aaron Doherty added a point to level matters on a scoreline of 3-7 to 0-16.
Then there was a moment of contention when Buncrana’s powerhouse McGonagle was pulled up for over-carrying in what appeared to be a somewhat harsh decision by the referee.
Steven Sherlock lapped up the opportunity and Cork led by a point at the death.
Both McHugh and McKelvey may have levelled it again for Donegal but their efforts fell short and Colm O’Callaghan made sure for Cork with a late, late fisted point.
Cork: Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O’Mahony, Maurice Shanley; Rory Maguire, Tommy Walsh, Matty Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Sean Powter, Brian O’Driscoll; Chris Og Jones, Mark Cronin, Brian Hurley.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan, Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Shane O’Donnell, Ciaran Thompson, Dáire Ó Baoill, Patrick McBrearty, Oisin Gallen and Niall O’Donnell.
Subs: Aaron Doherty for O Baoill (halftime), Odhran Doherty for J McGee (40mins), Jamie Brennan for Niall O’Donnell (53) and Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí for Shane O’Donnell (61 mins)
Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry)