All-Ireland SFC: Damaging defeat for Cork as they fall to a four-point loss against Meath

Meath: 1-13 (1-0-13) 

Cork: 0-12 (0-2-8) 

A damaging defeat for Cork as they disappointingly and deservedly lost out to Meath at Páirc Tailteann in Navan on Saturday evening.

This particular All-Ireland SFC Group 2 Round 1 encounter was a significant one given old rivals Kerry and then Roscommon are coming around the corner for John Cleary’s charges and they can have no complaints in this one, beaten by a more slicker and organised outfit.

Three teams qualify out of four in the group, but the Leesiders have it all to do now if they want to make the knockout stages.

In what were challenging weather conditions with a strong wind, Cork were against it for the opening 35 minutes and only trailed at half-time by three points courtesy of a stunning goal. But they didn’t do enough with the wind in the second half in what was a laboured performance overall.

Meath were marginally the better team early on in what was an edgy start from both. The first score didn’t arrive until the sixth minute when Mark Cronin converted a close range free for Cork.

In what was a low-key opening 13 minutes, the game then burst into life with two brilliant goal chances for both in the space of a minute. Chris Óg Jones set up Cathail O’Mahony for the Rebels, but his effort was saved smartly by Meath goalkeeper Billy Hogan.

The Royal County went down the other end only for netminder Micheál Aodh Martin to make a fantastic reflex save to deny James Conlon what looked like a certain goal.

The ball did go out for a 45, which Hogan pointed after five Meath wides, 0-1 each after 15 minutes.

The sides traded efforts before another Cronin free and two Chris Óg Jones efforts gave Cleary’s side a three-point lead.

Meath then found their range with 1-2 without reply in quick-fire time. Jordan Morris with a great finish into the corner of the net following a driving run even though Cork could have defended it better, 1-4 to 0-5 after 31 minutes.

The Leesiders struggled to create chances in the closing stages of the first half as an Eoghan Frayne free gave his team a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time advantage.

Cork started the new half on the front foot albeit aided by the strong wind as Seán McDonnell gave a delicious ball to the on rushing Matty Taylor who pointed. The teams were all square when Colm O’Callaghan landed a two-pointer, 0-8 to 1-5 after 38 minutes.

A Frayne free nudged Meath back in front before Óg Jones’ well struck effort from an acute angle came back off the post.

Meath were getting an upper hand in the midfield area as they landed four unanswered points to lead 1-10 to 0-8 after 50 minutes.

Cork’s first score in 17 minutes was badly needed when sub Ruairí Deane bisected the posts followed by a Cronin two-pointer and an Óg Jones effort, 1-10 to 0-12 with 13 minutes left.

Meath responded though with two points on the trot as the game went into the last 10 minutes. A Mathew Costello point extended his team’s lead out to four points.

That's the way it stayed. Cork didn't come close in the closing stages to making a comeback.

Scorers for Meath: M Costello 0-5 (0-1 f), J Morris 1-1, E Frayne 0-3 f, J Conlon 0-2, B Hogan (45), S Coffey 0-1 each.

Cork: M Cronin (0-2 f, 1 2pt), C Óg Jones 0-4 each, C O’Callaghan 0-2 (1 2pt), M Taylor, R Deane 0-1 each.

MEATH: B Hogan; S Lavin, S Rafferty, R Ryan; D Keogan, S Coffey, C Caulfield; J Flynn, B Menton; C Duke, R Kinsella, M Costello; J Morris, J Conlon, E Frayne (c).

Subs: A O’Neill for J Flynn, K Curtis for E Frayne (both 45), C Hickey for C Duke (50), S Walsh for J Conlon (64).

CORK: M A Martin; S Meehan, D O’Mahony (c), M Shanley; S Powter, B O’Driscoll, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, E McSweeney, S McDonnell; M Cronin, C O’Mahony, C Óg Jones.

Subs: R Deane for S Powter, R Maguire for E McSweeney (both 50), E O’Hanlon for C O’Mahony (56), C Cahalane for P Walsh (62), L Fahy for M Taylor (64), H O’Connor for M Cronin (68).

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan).