Cork too strong for Meath in Teddy McCarthy tribute game

Cork: 3-12 Meath: 1-9 

THE Cork senior footballers were too strong for Meath in the Teddy McCarthy tribute game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday afternoon.

On what was an emotional day on the banks of the Lee, Cork were much slicker in this one, and will take a lot of positives moving forward.

Meath were aided by a strong wind in the first-half and it was no surprise that they were on the front foot early on as Aaron Lynch kicked a pair of points inside the first three minutes.

The Leesiders hit their first score after six minutes through a Blake Murphy free which was quickly followed by a Fionn Herlihy white flag. John Cleary’s side took the lead after nine points courtesy of a Eoghan McSweeney point after a brilliant catch by Conor Corbett in the build-up and the Clyda Rovers man then cleverly set him up.

In a lively game, the sides traded points before two Meath points gave them a 0-5 to 0-4 advantage after 22 minutes. A Murphy free tied up matters until the Rebels raised a green flag after 29 minutes when Murphy pounced on a mistake by the Meath rearguard and the St Vincent’s player made no mistake. Cork kicked the last two points of the half, a Chris Óg Jones free and a Murphy free, 1-7 to 0-5 at half-time.

Cork were wind assisted in the second-half, as the teams swapped early points in the new half.

Cleary’s charges tacked on two consecutive points as Cork led 1-10 to 0-6 after 44 minutes before Ian Maguire raised a green flag after being set up by McSweeney, 2-10 to 0-6 after 45 minutes. Mattie Taylor added a point for Cork before Jack Flynn scored a wonder goal for Meath, into the top corner of the net from close-range, 2-11 to 1-6 after 59 minutes. The Rebels replied two minutes later with a fine goal through Colm O’Callaghan.

Meath kicked three of the last four points, as the Rebels had done enough for a convincing win.

Cork face Clare away in the first game of the McGrath Cup on Wednesday, January 3, which is followed ten days later with a home match against Waterford. The Rebels open their Allianz football league Division 2 campaign against Jim McGuinness’ Donegal on Sunday, January 28 in Ballybofey at 1.45pm.

Scorers for Cork: B Murphy 1-5 (0-5 f), C Óg Jones 0-3, I Maguire, C O’Callaghan 1-0 each, M Taylor, E McSweeney, F Herlihy, B O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

Meath: A Lynch 0-4 (0-1 m), J Flynn 1-1, M Costello 0-2 f, C Finnegan (f), E Frayne 0-1 each.

CORK: P Doyle (Knocknagree); K Flahive (Douglas), M Shanley (Clonakilty), M Taylor (Mallow); D Cashman (Millstreet), T Clancy (Clonakilty), S Powter (Douglas); I Maguire (St Finbarr’s, capt), P Walsh (Kanturk); E McSweeney (Knocknagree), F Herlihy (Dohenys), B O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh); B Murphy (St Vincent’s), C Corbett (Clyda Rovers), C Óg Jones (Iveleary).

Subs: T Walsh (Kanturk) for S Powter (44, inj), J O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers) for K Flahive (49), C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg) for I Maguire, J O’Rourke (Carbery Rangers) for E McSweeney (both 51), D Buckley (Newcestown) for C Corbett (53), C Kelly (Éire Óg) for P Doyle (56), D Gore (Kilmacabea) for P Walsh (62), J O’Shea (Urhan) for M Taylor, N Lordan (Ballinora) for T Clancy (both 64).

MEATH: H Hogan; N Murphy, M Flood, M Murphy; C Caulfield, R Jones (capt), S Coffey; J Flynn, J Kinlough; D McGowan, R Kinsella, J O’Connor; A Lynch, M Costello, E Frayne.

Subs: S Brennan for H Hogan, D Moriarty for E Frayne (both h-t), C Finnegan for D McGowan, B O’Reilly for M Murphy (both 47), J O’Regan for R Jones (52), A McDonnell for C Caulfield (53), C Farrelly for R Kinsella, M Coffey for N Murphy (both 58), E Frayne for A Lynch (64).

Referee: Seamus Mulvihill (Kerry).