Loss to Cavan two years ago was a turning point for Cork

The Cork footballers open their Allianz Division 2 League campaign this weekend and they will know how important it will be to get off to a winning start.

John Cleary’s side entertain Cavan on Sunday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with throw-in at 1.30pm.

The priority will once again be promotion and if they want every chance of achieving that, the Rebels will know that a strong start is hugely important. 

Over the last few years, slow starts have been part of the course unfortunately. None more so than in 2024 when Cork lost their first three matches and were bound for relegation until turning the campaign around with an away victory over Fermanagh.

One of those early losses came at home to this weekend’s opposition. Cork lost a cracking game on a scoreline of 0-17 to 0-16 against Cavan. It was a third defeat on the trot. 

It seemed the walls were closing in at that stage, but it must be said, since then, the Rebels have been heading in the right direction.

It did prove to be a big moment for Cleary and his side.

They ended up finishing fourth in the table for the second year on the bounce. 

Last year, Cork ended up in fifth, but it was fine margins.

They actually beat Cavan in the last league game away from home and as results transpired, it was a big one to avoid relegation. They did finish just one point off the promotion places too. 

Starting on Sunday, Cork must make sure SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a fortress. If they can win their home games, they have a chance of moving up to Division 1 for the first time since 2016.

The away games though will probably decide Cork's fate.

Scorers and teams from Cork’s narrow defeat to Cavan two years ago at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is below.

Scorers for Cork: M Cronin 0-4 (0-2 45, 0-1 f), S Sherlock (0-3 f), B Hurley (0-2 f), C Óg Jones 0-3 each, M Taylor, C O’Callaghan, B O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

Cavan: P Lynch 0-9 (0-6 f), Caoimhín O’Reilly, C Madden 0-2 each, G Smith, C Brady, O Brady, C Rehill 0-1 each.

CORK: C Kelly; M Shanley, D O’Mahony, T Walsh; L Fahy, R Maguire, M Taylor; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; E McSweeney, R Deane, B O’Driscoll; M Cronin, B Hurley (c), C Óg Jones.

Subs: S Powter for M Cronin, F Herlihy for R Deane (both 56), S Sherlock for B Hurley (59), D Cashman for M Shanley (64), J Cahalane for E McSweeney (70).

CAVAN: G O’Rourke; O Kiernan, K Brady, J McLoughlin; P Faulkner (jc), N Carolan, G Smith; K Clarke, R Donohoe; C Brady (jc), B O’Connell, Caoimhín O’Reilly; P Lynch, J Smith, R O’Neill.

Subs: O Brady for J Smith (24, inj), C Rehill for B O’Connell (28, temp), C Madden for R Donohue (h-t), C Rehill for K Brady (h-t), T Madden for Caoimhín O’Reilly (66), Cormac O’Reilly for R O’Neill (72), Cian Reilly for N Carolan (75).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).