John Cleary on Cork's All-Ireland group draw: It could have been worse and it could have been better

Cork manager John Cleary had mixed emotions following the draws for the All-Ireland SFC group stage. 

They were made on Wednesday afternoon where the Rebels will face the Munster winners, Kerry or Clare, the Leinster runners-up, Louth or Meath and Connacht side Roscommon.

The Leesiders will be looking to make the All-Ireland quarter-final stage for the third time in four seasons.

It all starts for Cork on the weekend of May 24th, which is nearly three weeks away. They will face the losers of Louth and Meath away the first day out, the winners of Kerry and Clare come to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh the following weekend and then on the weekend of June 14th, the Rebels face Roscommon at a neutral venue.

Three out of the four teams qualify, which is the last year of it before it changes to two teams qualifying from each group from next year.

“It could have been worse and it could have been better,” Cleary said when speaking to The Echo on Wednesday afternoon. 

“Looking at the individual games, first up will be the Leinster runners-up. Whoever that will be, Louth or Meath, we have had great battles with them over the last few years, Division 2 teams like ourselves. We have beaten them and been beaten by them.

“Kerry or Clare at home then, form will say it will be Kerry. We have had plenty of games with Kerry in recent years, but haven’t got over the line against them. Even with Clare, it has been 50/50 games against them recently.

“The one team we do know who we are playing is Roscommon. We beat them two years ago in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final, but they beat us well in the league this year.

“We would feel that we are capable of winning every game, but we also know that if we weren’t to play well, those teams would fancy their chances. When you look at the draw individually, it’s tough, but it’s not something we can’t inspire to winning at least two of the games.” 

Cork will know if they will be playing Kerry or Clare on Sunday, but won’t know whether it will be either Louth or Meath until Sunday week. The only downside to the draw is that the Rebels won’t be out until the weekend of May 24th, a week later than usual for them. The luck of the draw.

“We will be out two weekends in a row,” Cleary says.

“These games do take their toll. 70 minutes with a lot on the line. Last year we had two weeks between the games and it gave us a chance to recover. Three games in four weekends this time around.

“It’s a tough schedule that we are facing into. At least next season they will be changing the format to two teams going through. Now, if you are second or third, you have the preliminary quarter-final, which is the following weekend and if you win that, the quarter-final is the weekend after that.

“That’s three games in three weeks if you were to go that far. That has to take its toll on teams and it’s very hard to see anyone coming through that route to the semi-final, especially if you are away for the preliminary quarter-final. It will probably be better next year, but look, we have to face what’s in front of us now. Next year will take care of itself.” 

The Leesiders defeated Louth and Clare in the opening round of their respective group in the last two years, which set them up nicely.

“All we are concentrated on now is the first game. We will see how the Leinster final goes Sunday week. That will determine who we will be up against. We have a good idea who we will be playing in the group, Louth or Meath, Kerry or Clare and Roscommon. We can plan accordingly.” Cleary concluded. 

Finally, Cork defender Seán Brady has failed in his appeal to overturn his red card received against Kerry. He will now miss the opening game in the Sam Maguire.