Another year, another 'what if' for Cork footballers

What will Cork make of 2025?

There were highs. There were lows. There usually are. But can the Rebels look back on this campaign and say, honestly, that progress was made?

ANOTHER YEAR, SAME FRUSTRATIONS 

Sunday’s performance was admirable. Cork stood tall when they needed to and put in a respectable shift against one of the game’s modern heavyweights. But gallant effort doesn’t change the outcome. It doesn’t change the fact that, for the 13th consecutive year, Cork will not feature in an All-Ireland semi-final.

Maybe that’s just the ceiling for this team, at least for now. Facing Dublin in a preliminary quarter-final is rarely a recipe for progress. Most would have written Cork off before a ball was kicked – and in fairness, they showed up. They fought, as they did in both outings against Kerry earlier this season. That much is commendable.

But the problem lies elsewhere.

The real disappointment wasn’t Sunday. It was back in Navan, in Round 1. Losing to Meath in that fashion is what really shaped Cork’s fate. A win there, and the draw would have looked very different – and far more manageable. 

Instead, it’s the same old story: a promising group let down by one flat performance in a winnable game.

No one demands that Cork beat Dublin or Kerry every time. But supporters are right to expect them to win the games they should win. That’s where the frustration lies. That’s the pattern that hasn’t been broken.

THE DUBLIN GAME 

There were clear positives in the display. Cork were efficient – remarkably so. They converted 23 of their 27 scoring chances and even struck for a goal that gave them a brief lead. Defensively, they held Dublin at bay for long periods and didn’t wilt under pressure.

But the numbers tell their own story.

Cork won just 52% of their own kickouts – and only managed to claim two of Dublin’s 20. 

In a game of fine margins, that aerial disparity was a killer. Dublin dominated the restarts and controlled the rhythm of the game as a result.

Then there were the two-pointers. Dublin had one, and took it – Seán Bugler doing the honours. Cork had two: Brian Hurley from play and Seán McDonnell from a free. Neither found an orange flag. In a three-point game, those moments loom large.

SO, WAS IT PROGRESS?

That depends on your lens. Cork showed they can go toe-to-toe with the very best for long stretches. But they still haven't shaken the bad habits that cost them – not against the giants, but against the rest.

Until that changes, the wait for real progress will continue.