John Cleary will face a mix of new and familiar foes with a different looking Cork football squad

John Cleary will encounter a mix of familiar faces and fresh challenges when the Allianz National Football League Division 2 gets underway later this month.

Entering his third year as Cork senior football manager, Cleary starts the 2025 campaign navigating newly introduced rules and significant changes to his panel. 

The departure of six players, including three retirees, made it a busy winter for Cleary and his backroom team.

Galway native Kevin Walsh returns for his third year as part of the Cork management setup. 

Walsh will be joined once again by Micheál Ó Cróinín, James Loughrey, and Barry Corkery, with newcomer Jim O’Donoghue (St Finbarr’s) adding a fresh voice. 

An opportunity to integrate fringe players from last season, along with a few new faces, should give Cork a fresh outlook heading into the league.

Last year, the Rebels’ National League campaign ended with three wins, three losses, and a draw, leaving them joint-third alongside Cavan and missing out on promotion to Donegal and Armagh.

This season, three of Cork’s Division 2 opponents will be under new management.

The Rebels begin their campaign at home to Meath on January 25th. 

That clash will mark Robbie Brennan’s first competitive game as Meath’s manager following his appointment on a three-year contract to replace Colm O’Rourke.

Brennan has brought in Tyrone’s All-Ireland winner Joe McMahon as part of his backroom team. 

That’s a significant move considering McMahon’s 2021 All-Ireland success with Tyrone under Fergal Logan and Brian Dooher.

Cork and Meath met in Division 2 at Páirc Tailteann last March. 

A late scoring burst secured a 1-15 to 1-11 Cork victory and their Division 2 status for another year. 

Conor Corbett played a key role, contributing 1-3 of the Rebels’ total.

Monaghan, another Division 2 side, will also have a new manager patrolling the sidelines in Gabriel Bannigan.

Previously part of Vinny Corey’s setup, Bannigan has already made headlines by bringing in former Mayo player and Leitrim manager Andy Moran to his backroom team.

Cork visit Monaghan on February 23rd, by which time the Farney men will have played Cavan, Westmeath, and Roscommon.

In Westmeath, former Cavan All-Star Dermot McCabe has taken over as senior manager following Dessie Dolan’s departure after two years in charge. 

McCabe’s appointment of 2012 All-Ireland winner Mark McHugh from Donegal, as Head Coach, signals his ambition.

Westmeath, last year’s Division 3 champions after defeating Down 2-10 to 0-13, face Cork on February 15th at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Elsewhere in Division 2, John Cleary will come up with some familiar faces including Louth’s Ger Brennan.

Last year, Brennan’s first in charge of the Wee county, saw Louth defeat the Rebels 2-9 to 0-13 in Ardee. 

That Division 2 defeat paled into significance however, following the outcome of the two counties second meeting.

Inniskeen in county Monaghan was the venue for Cork’s All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-final loss at the hands of Ger Brennan’s side. 

That 1-9 to 1-8 defeat ended Cleary and his players season so expect plenty of bite when the two teams meet again in Cork on March 16th.

Raymond Galligan enters the second year of his tenure as Cavan manager in 2025. 

The Ulster side got the better of Cork, 0-17 to 0-16, in last year’s Division 2 meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 

A positive Ulster SFC showing, including a victory over Monaghan and an extra-time loss to Tyrone, preceded a disappointing All-Ireland series exit following losses to Mayo, Dublin and Roscommon.

Cork will conclude their Division 2 fixture-list in Breffni Park on March 23rd where, hopefully, John Cleary’s side will have improved on last year’s showing.