Meath v Cork Player Ratings: How Rebels fared in disappointing first round defeat
Meath's Donal Keogan pursues Cork's Colm O'Callaghan during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 at Pairc Tailteann, Navan, Meath. Picture: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Saved well from James Conlon in the first half but too many kickouts went astray, even if they weren’t entirely his fault.
Did well defensively and made a huge tackle in the 40th minute to deny Conlon a big goal chance.
Coped well defensively but in the final 10 minutes the entire Cork defence found themselves on the backfoot as they couldn’t break free. Should have done better for Conlon’s 65th-minute point that put Meath three up.
Positioning was decent when Cork were going forward in transition, Rebels but got caught too narrow at times.
Quiet by his own standards, didn’t get on much ball and was replaced by Ruairí Deane with 51 minutes gone.
Started well at centre-back and carved open space going forward as the Rebels looked to find scoring opportunities; impact faded as the game went on.
Fisted a good effort over the bar in the second half and got on a lot of ball but didn’t make the impact he usually has.
Worked hard in the middle but we counted at least three turnovers. Has had better days in a Cork jersey and wasn’t as imposing from kickouts as he normally is.
A bright spark, covered a lot of mileage and kicked a huge two-pointer to draw level after 41 minutes, but Cork couldn’t make it count. Had one wide and an assist.
Struggled to make an impact going forward, kicking two wides. Had a tame chance saved on the line Seán Rafferty, who was excellent for Meath. Walsh did work hard to press the hosts into trouble.
Late change for Rory Maguire and started centre-forward, but couldn’t get really get motoring. Did work hard to force a turnover and assisted a point.
Finished with 0-4, from a sweet two-pointer and two frees. Struck three misses, two from placed balls, but did look lively in possession.
Assisted Taylor’s point and would have had a goal assist had Chris Óg Jones’s effort not hit the post, but struggled to make an impact during the game.
Did have a chance saved after 15 minutes by Meath ‘keeper Billy Hogan but couldn’t get enough power behind it – and probably should have fisted it over for a point. Was replaced Éanna O’Hanlon in the 58th minute.
Tried hard to drag Cork over the line. Got their first score from play and finished the game with 0-4, all from play. Set up O’Mahony for the goal chance at the 15-minute mark. A hard-working performance, he almost found the back of the net in the 44th minute, but his shot came off the post.
Notched a good point from play to get Cork’s first score in 18 minutes. Was able to create space with his positioning in Meath’s middle third, but didn’t get on much ball.
Struggled to make an impact when he came on.
Came on full-forward for O’Mahony but hardly touched the ball.
Late change; didn’t have enough time to make an impact.
Made his return from injury.
Came on with three minutes of added time to go.
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