Unconvincing performance from Cork
Cork 2-11 Louth 0-10
TWO wins from three and top of the Division 2 table for Cork after their win over Louth in Pairc Uí Rinn last Sunday afternoon – not bad at this stage, but clearly much more to do.
Cork secured their second win of the National Football League Division 2 on Sunday, but few were impressed by all of the 70 minutes. In bitterly cold conditions the home side showed well in the opening period however things got 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 and never say die attitude saw them cut the gap to just four 1-10 to 0-09 by the 65th minute before Cork pushed clear with their second and ultimately game winning goal.
Led in the middle by Ian Maguire, the Rebels looked up for it right from the off employing a much more direct brand of running and quick passing football than their fans have become accustomed to in recent years, but there were plenty handling errors and breakdowns to raise groans from the local crowd.
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 were causing plenty problems.
Sean White at wing-forward did well, bagging 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.
Louth looked game early on but were ill equipped to deal with the home side who were up for this one early. 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 (frees) deep into the second half, which kept his side in the tie however on the day they ran out of steam as Kiely’s late strike ended it.
Little doubt that this one would go Cork’s way from a long way out but losing two players to reds is hardly considered ideal when facing into a long tough season.
Kevin O’Driscoll (two yellows) and Peter Kelleher (straight red) both went for early showers in the second half which ultimately counted for little, but if Louth could have made something of any of their five good goal chances then this one may well have turned out a little different.
Cork keeper Ryan Price deserves credit for two point blank saves made in the first half which could have put a much different complexion on the scoreboard. From a Mallow standpoint local star Matthew Taylor got his first full half of serious inter-county action and showed well up the middle – a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Overall six out of ten for the boys from the banks of the Lee with plenty more to do if they are to secure a return to the top flight of league football for next year.
CORK: Ryan Price; Sam Ryan, Jamie O’Sullivan, S Wilson; T Clancy, Conor Dorman, C Kiely 1-1; I Maguire, R Deane 0-1; S White 1-1, S Sherlock, K O’Driscoll; M Hurley 0-1, C O’Neill 0-4 (3f), M Collins 0-3 (2f) Subs: M Taylor for S Sherlock (half time), D O’Callaghan for S White (52), D Quinn for C Dorman, P Kelleher for M Hurley (both 58), C Dorgan for I Maguire (65), P Clancy for S Wilson (68)
LOUTH: C Lynch; J Bingham, E Carolan, F Donohue; D Marks, J Stewart, A Williams; C Earley, B Duffy 0-1; C Downey, J McEneaney, A McDonnell 0-1; D Maguire, C Grimes, R Burns 0-4 (3f, 1.45) Subs: E Lafferty for D Marks , T Durin for J McEneaney (both half time), G McSorley 0-1 for C Earley, W Woods 0-3f for R Burns, J Craven for J Bingham (all 52), T McEaneaney for C Grimes (57)
REFEREE: M McNally (Monaghan)