Meath just too strong for Rebels
Cork 1-9 Meath 2-12 Allianz NFL Division 2
The meeting of top and bottom in Division 2 followed the formlines as Meath surged clear of Cork in the second half at Pairc Ui Rinn last night.
An unanswered burst of 1-4 over an 11-minute spell midway made the game safe, wing-back Gavin Mccoy marking his first competitive start with a palmed goal.
That left Andy Mcentee’s side 1-11 to 0-6 in front and though Cork did have a late goal from sub Sean Powter, a comeback was not likely.
Meath began well as Bryan Menton opened the scoring before Ben Brennan sent over a free to make it 0-2 to 0-0.
Though Ruairi Deane got Cork off the mark, the Royals had the next three points, all frees by Michael Newman. Michael Hurley pulled one back for Cork but Brennan replied for Meath, scoring his second on 24 minutes.
Corner-back Conor Dennehy landed a booming effort for Cork before Luke Connolly converted a free on the half-hour.
Meath lost Menton to a black card and Brennan to injury while a good Connolly point in injury time had Cork back to within one.
Graham Reilly ended the mini-drought on the resumption but though Michael Hurley replied on 38, Cork wouldn’t score for another 27 minutes.
In between, Meath put daylight between the sides as Thomas O’reilly, Newman and Cillian O’sullivan pointed before the goal. Shane Mcentee, O’sullivan and Mcmahon were all involved, allowing Mccoy an easy task.
Cork did finally manage to add to their tally when Powter palmed home and a pair of Collins frees brought them to within four.
But sub Barry Dardis then tapped in a Meath goal.