Cork retain Division 2 status after brilliant comeback win away to Meath

Meath 1-11 Cork 1-15 

CORK have now recorded three wins on the trot in the Allianz Division 2 football league after an impressive win over Meath at Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Saturday afternoon.

This latest win secures the Rebels Division 2 status for the 2025 campaign, which was in real jeopardy only a few weeks ago. Cork now jump up to joint fourth place in the league standings alongside Meath in what was the penultimate league fixture of the season.

There was a real buzz and confidence from the Rebels from the off in this one, helped by the recent wins and the two-week gap, in which they used wisely by heading off for four days to the Algarve for a training camp at the Quinta do Lago resort.

There were two changes to the team that was named on Friday, with Paul Walsh and Seán Powter coming in for Eoghan McSweeney and Mark Cronin respectively.

There were frequent heavy showers during the duration of the game, with underfoot conditions naturally slippery, while there was a slight wind favouring Meath in the first half.

It was Colm O’Rourke’s side that got the first score through an Eoghan Frayne point, which was a free, but in Cork’s first meaningful attack, they raised a green flag after four minutes, when Conor Corbett finished excellently. A great finish low into the corner of the net, following a brilliant pass by Brian O’Driscoll.

Meath’s response was positive, but wayward shooting let them down and Shane Walsh’s goal opportunity hit the outside of the post just before the 10th minute. Meath’s netminder Seán Brennan converted a 45, which was quickly cancelled out by a Brian Hurley point, 1-1 to 0-2 after a scrappy 17 minutes of action.

Both sides traded points before Hurley kicked a beauty from an awkward angle, 1-3 to 0-3 after 24 minutes. O’Driscoll opened up a four-point gap for the Rebels before a pair of Frayne white flags and a Walsh effort left just a point in it after 31 minutes, 1-4 to 0-6. Another converted 45 from Meath goalkeeper Brennan tied up matters, as the teams went into the dressing rooms level at half-time, 1-4 to 0-7.

Cork were aided by a slight wind in the new half, and they made a strong start when Seán Powter set up Corbett for a fine point, and the Clyda Rovers player raised another white flag a minute later, 1-6 to 0-7 after 38 minutes.

Meath did settle, and drew level five minutes later following a Matthew Costello free and another Brennan 45. Powter clipped over a much-needed score for Cleary’s charges, their first in 12 minutes, as the game was finely poised with 20 minutes remaining, 1-7 to 0-9.

Meath then scored 1-1 in a minute courtesy of Costello, as the forward used his height advantage over Daniel O’Mahony to fetch the ball and then billowed the back of the net, 1-10 to 1-7 after 54 minutes. The sides traded points, as the momentum was with the home side at this juncture. The Leesiders required a spark, and a pair of Luke Fahy points and a Corbett effort drew parity with five minutes remaining, 1-11 apiece.

Cork’s tails were up and points from Steven Sherlock and Matty Taylor pushed the Rebels two points clear after 68 minutes. A Sherlock free gave the Rebels a three-point buffer as the game went into added on time. A Mark Cronin effort put the icing on the cake.

The Leesiders' final league match is against Armagh at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Saturday at 7pm.

Scorers for Meath: M Costello 1-2 (0-1 f), S Brennan (45), E Frayne 0-3 each, R Kinsella 0-2, S Walsh 0-1.

Cork: C Corbett 1-3, S Sherlock 0-3 (0-1 f), L Fahy, B Hurley 0-2 each, M Taylor, M Cronin, C Óg Jones, B O’Driscoll, S Powter 0-1 each.

MEATH: S Brennan; D Keogan, A O’Neill, B O’Halloran; C Caulfield, D Campion, S Coffey; C McBride, C Hickey; D McGowan, E Frayne, J O’Connor; S Walsh, M Costello (c), R Kinsella.

Subs: M Murphy for D Campion (27, inj), D Dixon for J O’Connor (50), A McDonnell for R Kinsella (56), D Moriarity for C McBride (69), H O’Higgins for C Caulfield (72).

CORK: C Kelly; K Flahive, D O’Mahony, T Walsh; L Fahy, S Meehan, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, S Powter, B O’Driscoll; C Óg Jones, C Corbett, B Hurley (c).

Subs: R Deane for P Walsh (44), S Sherlock for B Hurley (48), M Cronin for C Óg Jones, K O’Hanlon for B O’Driscoll (both 60), E McSweeney for R Deane (64).

Referee: Thomas Murphy (Galway).