Cork led Kilkenny by six points with as many minutes remaining at Páirc Uí Rinn earlier this evening, only for a flurry from the Cats to inflict a fourth defeat on the spin upon their old Munster rivals.
Colin Fennelly and TJ Reid both netted for Brian Cody's men to draw the sides level, with Lester Ryan and then Reid adding points that it seemed would see Cork off on the Boreenmanna Road.
Conor Lehane responded with two of his own for the Rebels, however, which would have seen the game finish a draw. That was until John Power won a loose clearance from Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins and sent it over the bar in added time, stealing a one-point win for the All-Ireland champions, leaving Cork - who took to the field in commemorative, 1916-inspired jerseys - feeling blue (a lot of build up to that one, but we got there).
The Twitter reaction was an amalgamation of compliments to the seemingly invincible Kilkenny, and pats on the back to Kieran Kingston's gallant Cork outfit who, despite proving their mettle in defeat, will now face a relegation playoff.
My God Kilkenny just don't know when they're beaten. But welcome back Cork. Big performance.#AllianzNhlDivision1a
— Vincent Hogan (@Vincent_Hogan) March 12, 2016
Sickening for Cork but that's the very mark of champions.
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) March 12, 2016
That was a savage battle championship warfare cruel on Cork in the end TJ Reid dug it out again for Kilkenny
— Tomás McCarthy (@tomasmcc) March 12, 2016
Cork 2-22 Kilkenny 2-23. Fabulous fun. And an almost equally relevant stat: Cork 12 wides, Kilkenny 3 wides.
— Enda McEvoy (@EndaEndamac95) March 12, 2016
Amazing game in Pairc Ui Rinn. Superb response to adversity by Cork but Kilkenny aren't interested in anyone's happy endings but their own
— Brendan O'Brien (@byBrendanOBrien) March 12, 2016
Sickening result for the Cork hurlers. A much better performance, kind of spirit, heart + swagger that has been absent. Small mistake costly
— Barry O'Mahony (@barryomahony_9) March 12, 2016
Cork were good, but Kilkenny were Kilkenny.
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) March 12, 2016
Kilkenny are ludicrous 😂 What a team! #CORvKK
— Conor Donnelly (@conorjdonnelly) March 12, 2016
Had Kilkenny in my acca..nearly had a heart attack in the end there!! #gaa #AllianzLeagues #KKvCORK #Hurling
— Dylan Myles (@DylanFins11) March 12, 2016
Congrats to Cork and Kilkenny players for massive entertainment tonight. We are blessed to have such players in GAA pic.twitter.com/xl6V1lN8sW
— Conor Cusack (@Conor14Cusack) March 12, 2016
Cork deserved something from that but a lot of positives, not least responding strongly twice in second half
— Denis Hurley (@Denis_Hurley) March 12, 2016
Kilkenny ye bastards
— Doireann Murphy (@doirsmurphy) March 12, 2016
Kilkenny, bloody hell. If Cody had been in GPO in 1916, he'd have found a way to sink The Helga and perhaps take London too. #AllianzLeague
— Roy Curtis (@RoyCurtis68) March 12, 2016
.@OfficialCorkGAA manager Kieran Kingston reacts to tonight's one-point defeat vs @KilkennyCLG. #AllianzLeagues https://t.co/KYX1v2VgIO
— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 12, 2016
Man of the Match @SeamusHarnedy reacts to @OfficialCorkGAA's one-point defeat to @KilkennyCLG. #AllianzLeagues https://t.co/Gs8raeGPuy
— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 12, 2016
.@KilkennyCLG manager Brian Cody reacts to his side's thrilling one point win over @OfficialCorkGAA. #AllianzLeagues https://t.co/Zx1kDfixWZ
— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 12, 2016
It remains to be seen if Cork are truly 'back', but from their fans' perspective, at least they showed some balls on the back of a timid display last weekend.
Meanwhile, Brian Cody's machine rolls on.
