Cork beat Fermanagh in Allianz NFL Division Two but it was a protest in support of the Rebels' 2008 hurling squad that will steal the headlines.
Donnacha O'Connor got the hosts off to a good start with two early points and they got the half-time whistle still ahead 0-05 to 0-04.
Fermanagh had the wind at their backs after the break but found themselves four points behind mid-way through the second-half.
Points from Shane O'Brien (2) and Daryl Keenan left the Ernesiders' two points adrift before a John Hayes over killed their comeback.
And the Cork hurlers will feel they won a battle today as 2,300 fans, including comedian Des Bishop, backed their cause and handed a letter over to Cork chairman Frank Murphy.
