Ben Graham: May have got a touch to Mark McGuigan’s shot at the death. It seemed a certain goal but Graham was quickly off his line to close down the Sleacht Neill forward. That made the difference. 7
Paul Leopold: Worked tirelessly in the Sarsfields full-back line which came under serious pressure at times. He picked up Eamon Cassidy and stuck to his task. 6
Cillian Roche: Up against Se McGuigan and put in a good shift by keeping the Sleacht Neill forward scoreless. 6
Conor O’Sullivan: A contender for man of the match. He restricted Shea Cassidy to a point and came close to getting one himself when he nipped in to win the ball and hammered a shot just wide. Used the ball well too. 8
Bryan Murphy: Took over man-marking duties on Brendan Rogers after Eoghan Murphy was booked. Rogers had his moments but Murphy was able to keep a lid on the Sleacht Neill full-forward. 6.5
Eoghan Murphy: Rogers gave him a torrid time of it in the first quarter and, after he was booked and then ticked, he switched to O’Doherty. 6
Luke Elliott: Tall and rangy, his distribution was excellent at times as he picked out darting runners with well-hit passes. Lost Mark McGuigan at the death but goalkeeper Graham saved his blushes. 6
Cian Darcy: A physical presence in the thick of the action in midfield and got his club motoring in the first half. Good battle with Shane McGuigan in the second half. 7
Daniel Kearney: The sight of him emerging from a furious ruck with a broken hurl summed up the game. Not the biggest but he put himself about in the midfield battle. A couple of wides though. 6
James Sweeney: The big target man was involved in a couple of scores in the first half but was well handled by Sleacht Neill full-back Sean Cassidy. 6
Daniel Hogan: Had an early goal chance well saved by Oisin O’Doherty. Hit four frees for the Corkmen but there were three wides as well and Ruairi O Mainain kept him scoreless from play. 6
Cathal McCarthy: His battle with Shane McGuigan in the first half was one of the best in the contest. He had his hands full with the Sleacht Neill half-back but landed two points and got forward to nail a crucial score in the closing stages. 7
Jack O’Connor: Sleacht Neill will feel he should have been sent off for a late, high tackle on Cormac O’Doherty. He escaped with a yellow card and went on to score two vital points for his club. Finished with four against Finn McEldowney which is good going. 8
Colm McCarthy: Operated in midfield and showed heart for the battle as the hurls flew and the tackles rained in. 6
Aaron Myers: Scored the first point of the game for the first-time All-Ireland finalists and finished as their top scorer with 0-5 including three from play. A calm head under pressure in the closing stages. 8
Subs
Shane O’Regan: On for Sweeney for last 20 minutes and added impetus to Sarsfields’ challenge. Scored a fine point. 6
Craig Leahy: Replaced Leopold in the second half as Sarsfields fought back from three down. 6
Killian Murphy: Won ball, chased and harried after he was introduced. 6
Liam Healy: On for the closing stages and whipped over a vital score. 6
