Cork football league scorers: Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones top charts as Seán McDonnell impresses

No surprise to see Mark Cronin finish the league as the top scorer for Cork.



John Cleary’s side ended up in fifth place in the Allianz Division 2 Football League after winning the last two matches against Louth and Cavan having been in a real relegation fight after the two heavy losses to Monaghan and Roscommon.

The Rebels finished with eight points. Their highest points tally in the top two tiers in the league since 2015.

Over the seven league games, Cork scored 9-124 with 20 two-pointers thrown in too. They conceded 9-131 with the concession of 28 two-pointers. It did give them a -7 scoring difference with the 14-point hammering by Roscommon doing the damage in terms of the scoring difference.

Captain Brian Hurley finished as top scorer last year in the league with 0-24 (0-15 f), but the Castlehaven sharpshooter only managed two and a bit matches during the league this season due to injury albeit he did start the last two matches. Who would step up in his absence? Key forward Steven Sherlock opted out for this year.

Mark Cronin was consistently Cork’s best performer even at times when the Rebels were struggling especially midway through the league when it looked like the walls were closing in. The Nemo Rangers attacker hit 1-43 (0-17 f, 1 m, 7 2pt f, 3 2pt).

What was more encouraging for Cleary and his selectors was the spread of scorers. Chris Óg Jones ended up in second in the scoring charts again. After landing 2-15 last year, all from play, the Iveleary man kicked 5-18 (0-1 f) in this year’s league.

The versatile Brian O’Driscoll was also a standout player, especially his ability to land two-pointers. He totted up 0-19 (5 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 f).

Newcomer Seán McDonnell certainly put up his hand during the league. After a slow start, which was understandable, the Mallow man got into his groove, finishing as the fourth top scorer for Cleary’s charges with 1-10 (2 2pt).

After being dogged by injuries in recent years, it was great to see Mitchelstown’s Cathail O’Mahony get a run of games in the league. He will be a huge acid if he can stay fit. The forward hit 0-9, all from play, during the league.

Cork’s championship season gets underway next Saturday when they meet Limerick in the Munster quarter-final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 6pm.

CORK LEAGUE SCORERS:

Mark Cronin 1-43 (0-17 f, 1 m, 7 2pt f, 3 2pt);

Chris Óg Jones 5-18 (0-1 f);

Brian O’Driscoll 0-19 (5 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 f);

Seán McDonnell 1-10 (2 2pt);

Cathail O’Mahony 0-9;

Colm O’Callaghan 1-4 (1 m);

Matty Taylor 1-1;

Rory Maguire 0-4 (1 2pt);

Brian Hurley 0-4 (0-2 f);

Paul Walsh 0-3;

Eoghan McSweeney 0-3 (1 2pt);

Ian Maguire 0-2;

Seán Walsh 0-1;

Patrick Doyle 0-1;

Conor Cahalane 0-1;

Seán Powter 0-1.