Diarmuid Sheehan

After a disappointing first half display, the Rebels showed resolve in the second half against Kildare

JUST as the season has gone so far, Cork’s game with Kildare last Sunday was very much a tale of two halves: a first half poor, followed by a much-improved second half showing signs of promise.

Thirty-five minutes in and not even the most optimistic of Cork fans would have been happy with the way things had transpired as the men in red (red and black on this day) failed to lay much more than a glove on their opponents, a struggling Kildare side that at times looked like world beaters, such was the disappointing nature of what had taken place to that point.

Roll on the interval and Cork were trailing by just a point, a brilliant breakaway goal from Tommy Walsh had put Cork back to within the minimum as the sides headed for their halftime catch-up. Harsh on Kildare, fortunate for Cork. Both sets of fans still very much engaged on what be to come in the second half.

Cork’s inability to show much more than a handful of points in the opening period up to the goal (with the wind to their backs) was a frustration for all concerned.

The way they conceded two early goals was even more concerning. Cork opened the gates and left both Alex Beirne and Daniel Flynn sail through. Not very promising considering some of the quality still to be faced by the Leesiders this season.

At the back, Cork were all at sea as the Kildare forwards, particularly Niall Kelly, Kevin Feely and Flynn dominated all the early exchanges. Cork’s full-back line could t handle the runners with the half-back line as lacklustre for long periods as the men behind them.

Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan claimed some high balls and O’Callaghan scored, but in truth the game seemed to bypass that area of the field. Cork’s dynamic duo were watching on