Cork manager John Cleary on new league season: We want promotion but it will be difficult 

Cork boss John Cleary is fully aware of the importance of tomorrow’s opening game in the Allianz Division 2 football league.

The Rebels take on Meath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with throw-in at 5pm. Cork haven’t won the first game in the league since 2020 and that was when they were in Division 3. It's a repeat of the 2023 opener when Meath came away from Leeside with a win. 

With promotion the aim this year and going by results over the last few seasons, a loss first day out would be a big blow.

“It’s a very important game,” Cleary says.

“The last three years, we have lost the first game. It gives you a lot of comfort if you can get out of the traps and get going. With the new rules, there’s a lot of unknowns. We want to get off the ground on Saturday with a win. It’s important and we will be doing our level best to do that.

“We don’t know exactly where we are at because of the rules. We have been working on them in training and in matches, but it’s only when you set up against a county team in a competitive situation, is when you will find out with where we are at.” 

Some notable Cork victories in recent years for the footballers have been won in front of a big crowd. Roscommon in 2023 at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Donegal at Páirc Uí Rinn last year are just some of the examples. Cleary has pleaded with the fans to come out and support the players this weekend.

“The more support that we can get, it would be tremendous,” the Castlehaven clubman said.

“We beat Roscommon and Donegal by a fraction and it was no coincidence that the crowd got right behind us. We would be appealing to people to come out because like the hurlers last year here at the Páirc or above in Croke Park, they are the 16th man if you can get the crowd on side.

“I know we will be travelling up the country and in particular up north this year where those teams will have big crowds behind them. We want our supporters to get out on Saturday and get behind the team. It could be the difference between getting over the line and not.” 

What would represent success for the Cork footballers this year after finishing fourth in the league in the last two campaigns?

“We will be looking at the league in blocks. We will be looking at the first two games against Meath and Down away and then we have a three-block of games where we have Westmeath at home, Monaghan away and home to Roscommon. We then finish with Louth at home and Cavan away. So, we have three blocks.

“Where we are sitting at the moment, our aim is to get promoted but it will be difficult. Division 2 has become very, very difficult. The last two All-Ireland winners have come from Division 2. It’s very competitive and especially for us in terms of where we are situated down here. The three away games are up north and that brings its own challenges. We are looking forward to the league and it’s one game at a time. Hopefully we will be at the business end of it come the end of the league.” Cleary concluded.