The advantage turned in Cork's favour three minutes later when Éamonn Young and Derry Beckett combined to put Mick Tubridy in for a goal.

Further points from Tubridy (two) and Humphrey O'Neill in response to two from P. J. Duke and Tony Tighe left Cork in the lead by 1–4 to 0–5 at the interval.

Derry Beckett, from a narrow angle, increased Cork's lead shortly after resuming before Cavan, again aided by the elements as the wind had changed, got a grip on the exchanges.

The Cork defence held strong under twenty minutes of intense pressure from the Cavan forwards, and limited the northerners to two points from Peter Donohoe and Joe Stafford.

Beckett also joined an elite list of dual player's who had won All-Ireland medals in both football and hurling.