Footballers must keep recovery going
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3
Leitrim v Cork
Sunday, February 2 Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, 2pm
CORK won their opening fixture of this season’s National Football League for the first time in years.
In the recent past the Rebels have, more often than not, found themselves behind the eight ball after day one which invariably led to mid table mediocrity or even worse, as was the case last year – relegation. Now, however, Ronan McCarthy’s side have put a little respectability on one of the worst home records in the country with their win last weekend over Offaly.
Cork came into this one with expectation on their side and home advantage in their back pocket however after 30 minutes you would have been forgiven for thinking that this one was going the way of far too many opening league fixtures as the Leinster side held a four point advantage.
Cork rallied before the break which ultimately proved to be the starting point from which they would go on to win well – all smiles at the end for those in red.
Cork looked puzzled early on. Players were willing, of that there was little doubt, but there seemed to be a lack of communication between the players, particularly when it came to the half backs and the half forwards as the former line continued to advance into areas with no support – resulting in far too many turnovers.
At the back Cork also looked in a bit of trouble as some talented Offaly attackers cut inside and out to give one or two of the cork backs a torrid time. Before the game, in fact all month, Mc
Carthy has been highlighting the fact that no side will roll over for his charges, even if we are only in Division 3 (my words not his) and to be fair to the manager he was proved right again.
Offaly came to play, they had a plan, and for long periods of the first half that plan was working. Cork looked off the pace a little in the middle third of the opening half and looked to be there for the taking.
Offaly players weren’t in awe, they weren’t intimidated by the surroundings as they came to Lee-side fully expecting to win – and why wouldn’t they? – Cork have hardly been masters of their own domain on recent times.
Well, the second half was a different story as Cork players got their act together, pushed on with purpose and looked all the way a much superior side than the visiting side.
Cork players should take great heart from what happened in Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Satur
day night. They started well, lost their way but came flying back in a manner that would lead you to believe that they can continue the transformation that started mid-way through last season’s championship.
One thing that will really please the Cork backroom team as well as the 2,300 fans that came to watch was the impact that the bench had on this game – bagging nine points between them. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven) was brilliant when he came on. His eye for the posts, his willingness to turn and burn his man and his comfort with the ball in hand mark him down as potentially one of Cork’s biggest threats for the year.
One more game like last weekend’s for the West-Cork man and counties will begin to plan for him but based on the abilities shown in recent times by the corner-forward he seems like a man that will relish the challenge.
Another man that played really well last Saturday night was Ian Maguire. The St Finbarr’s man ran all night, defended and attacked from the middle and was always on the shoulder if a player needed that quick pass.
Even though the mid-field colossus is a tall, powerful man he still has an engine that just won’t quit – he does however have one flaw, something that not even he could deny – he is far from the most potent of players when one on one with a keeper.
Against Offaly, Maguire “butchered” (his manager’s words not mine) two glorious goal chances that could have gone a long way to seeing this game off 20 minutes earlier however as a Premiership manager across the water might say, “it is great that he is getting into those positions” – perhaps he should let the goal scoring to the goal scorers – of course he is now sure to get a hat-trick next weekend.
Maguire and co top the table after Round 1 and will look to
Another man that played really well last Saturday night was Ian Maguire. The Finbarrs man ran all night, defended and attacked
solidify their place at the summit of this grade when they make the trip to Leitrim this Sunday to take on the home side who got a very respectable draw away to Derry last weekend.
Leitrim will feel buoyed by their display last weekend but will feel that they left the full spoils of their opening fixture them, especially considering it took an injury time winner to salvage a draw for Derry.
This weekend they will be hell bent to make sure that doesn’t happen again and they will look claim victory at home – something g every side needs to ensure if they are to have any chance of gaining promotion.
Keith Beirne top scored for Leitrim with nine points last weekend and will likely be the man to watch for the home team again this time out. A solid free taker with plenty in the tank going forward – Leitrim won’t be rolling out any red carpet for Cork.
Cork are a side on the up. They may have some blips along the way, but all told they are well capable of winning this one and if they play to their potential then they will. Cork by five may be a little ambitions, but based on the second 35 last weekend they should do the business here.
Verdict: Cork