‘Very poor’ Cork irritate McCarthy in victory
CORK 2-11 LOUTH 0-10
CORK secured their second win of the National Football League Division 2 yesterday seeing off Louth in Pairc Uí Rinn in less than impressive fashion.
In bitterly cold conditions the home side showed well in the opening period but were disjointed after the interval as Louth fought back to make a proper game of it.
Cork led at the break by 1-9 to 0-4 and looked well on their way to securing the two points however the Wee County’s doggedness saw them cut the gap to just four – 1-10 to 0-9 – by the 65th minute before Cork pushed clear with their second goal.
Led in the middle by Ian Maguire, the Rebels began brightly, employing a much more direct brand of running and quick passing football than their fans have become accustomed to in recent years. There were plenty handling errors and breakdowns to raise groans from the local crowd though.
Up front the regular talisman of Colm O’Neill was working the scorekeeper with four points (three from frees) while Mark Collins and Michael Hurley caused problems.
Sean White at wing forward did well, converting 1-1 in an impressive opening 35 with half back Cian Kiely from Ballincollig also registering 1-1 – the latter’s goal ending this as a contest in injury time.
Cork will be delighted with the win although the manner with which it was secured is of concern to new manager Ronan McCarthy.
“We were very poor. The two positives are we won the game and we got to bring in new people, players getting debuts and all getting game time. Other than that this was a very poor, disjointed performance – particularly in the second half. But look we got there but not with any great conviction,” said McCarthy.
Louth looked game early on but were ill-equipped to deal with the hosts blistering start. Ryan Burns was the main threat for the Leinster men with two frees and a tasty ‘45 for his side in the opening half, adding another free after the break before being replaced.
Replacement William Woods slotted over a hat-trick of points from frees deep into the second half which kept his side in the tie but they ran out of steam as Kiely’s late strike confirmed Cork’s win.
Cork lost Kevin O’Driscoll (two yellows) and Peter Kelleher (straight red) in the second half which ultimately counted for little however if Louth could have made something of any of their five good goal chances then this one may well have turned out differently.
SCORERS: Cork – S White, C Kiely 1-1 each; C O’Neill 0-4 (3f), M Collins 0-3 (2f), R Deane, M Hurley 0-1 each. Louth: R Burns 0-4 (3f, 1 ‘45), W Woods 0-3 (3f), B Duffy, G McSorley, A McDonnell 0-1 each.
CORK: Ryan Price 8; Sam Ryan 7, Jamie O’Sullivan 7, S Wilson 7; T Clancy 7, Conor Dorman 7, C Kiely 8; I Maguire 7, R Deane 7; S White 8, S Sherlock 7, K O’Driscoll 7; M Hurley 8, C O’Neill 7, M Collins 7. Subs: M Taylor 8 for Sherlock (half time), D O’Callaghan 6 for S White (52), D Quinn 6 for C Dorman, P Kelleher 5 for M Hurley (both 58), C Dorgan for I Maguire (65), P Clancy for S Wilson (68).
LOUTH: C Lynch 6; J Bingham 6, E Carolan 6, F Donohue 7; D Marks 6, J Stewart 7, A Williams 6; C Earley 6, B Duffy 6; C Downey 6, J ,McEneaney 6, A McDonnell 7; D Maguire 6, C Grimes 7, R Burns 7. Subs: E Lafferty 7 for D Marks , T Durin 7 for J McEneaney (both half time), G McSorley 7 for C Earley, W Woods 7 for R Burns, J Craven 6 for J Bingham (all 52), T McEaneaney 6 for C Grimes (57)
REF: M McNally (Monaghan)