Why John Cleary deserves more credit for Cork's rise

As Cork prepare for this Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Mayo at Croke Park, the question hangs in the air more loudly than ever, does John Cleary get the credit he deserves for the transformation of this team? 

The graph has been trending upwards for some time now, and not by accident. What began as a steady, sometimes frustrating rebuild has become a genuine resurgence. 

Cork enter the last eight as a county moving forward with purpose, identity, and belief. 

When the Castlehaven man took charge in 2022, Cork football was in a difficult place. 

The 2021 season had left scars, the panel lacked depth and confidence. Cleary inherited a group that needed structure and conditioning.

What followed was not a dramatic overnight turnaround but a slow burner, marked by tough defeats, uneven performances, and the occasional step backwards. Yet even in those moments, Cleary’s approach never wavered.

Cork are stronger physically, more resilient mentally, and far more robust across the pitch. Their conditioning — once a weakness — is now a strength.

Cleary has constantly tweaked and expanded his backroom team, adding expertise in strength and conditioning, analysis, and coaching.

He has also shown a keen eye for talent. Young players have been introduced at the right time, not rushed, not overexposed. The likes of Dara Sheedy, Seán Brady and Seán McDonnell and others have been integrated with care.

Promotion to Division 1 back in March was more than a box ticked. It was a statement. It confirmed that the work of the past few years had substance behind it.

Cleary himself called it “a significant step for the group,” adding that Cork needed to “test ourselves at the highest level if we want to get back to where Cork football should be.”

One of Cleary’s greatest strengths has been his temperament. He has remained grounded.

After the Munster final loss to Kerry this year, he didn’t lash out or deflect. He simply said Cork “weren’t good enough for long enough” and that the team “would learn from it and move on.”

There have been times over the past few seasons when some people felt this scribe was being too soft on Cleary and Cork, too understanding when results weren’t great or performances dipped. 

But ultimately, in this job, you have to be balanced. You have to call it as it is on the day, without being swept away by noise or emotion. 

I’ve always tried to do that — to be fair when Cork were poor, and fair when they were improving.

Whatever unfolds at Croke Park this weekend, Cork’s season is already a success. They have returned to Division 1. They have won big championship games under pressure. They have shown character, resilience, and growth. 

They have reconnected with supporters who had drifted away. And they have restored pride in the jersey. 

Cleary has taken Cork from a challenging, uncertain place to the brink of a genuine breakthrough. 

He has done it without noise, without ego, and without demanding recognition. But the results speak for themselves. 

Cork are back in the All-Ireland quarter-final. They are back in Division 1. They are back believing in themselves. 

And that didn’t happen by accident.

With ten wins from thirteen games across league and championship this year, Cork are moving in the right direction.