Steven Sherlock the hero as Cork edge past Cavan by a point 

Cork: 0-24 (0-4-16) 

Cavan: 2-17 (2-2-13) 

Steven Sherlock proved to be the Cork hero as the Rebels came good to defeat Cavan by a single point in the opening game of the Allianz Division 2 Football League at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon.

John Cleary’s side looked in serious trouble in the last quarter as they trailed by seven points.

They did keep their composure when it mattered to eke out the victory. They kicked the last eight scores including two two-pointers just when it had looked like a defeat was on the cards.

Sherlock, who impressed when introduced, landed a sweet two-point free a minute from time to put Cork ahead and they were able to see out the game to pick up a crucial win.

Cork had more attacking options and that bench-press to get over the line, but they will be disappointed with aspects especially conceding two cheap goals.

Cavan started brightly with early points from Oisín Brady, Dara McVeety and Gerard Smith. It was a sluggish start to say the least from the Rebels, but a trademark point from Colm O’Callaghan after four minutes was a settling score.

Chris Óg Jones set up Ruairí Deane for a neat white flag followed by a goal chance when Seán McDonnell’s effort went narrowly wide.

Mark Cronin drew Cork level at 0-3 apiece after nine minutes. McVeety nudged his team ahead again before a McDonnell orange flag gave the Rebels the lead for the first time.

Cronin pushed Cleary’s charges two to the good before they were rocked by the concession of a goal after 17 minutes.

Conor Brady split open the defence as he played a lovely ball across to McVeety who palmed the ball into the net from close range, 1-4 to 0-6.

Cork’s response was positive, kicking three of the next four points with Luke Fahy’s effort the pick of those scores, 0-9 to 1-5 with nine minutes to the break.

The sides swapped white flags until Oisín Brady drew parity for the visitors.

The teams exchanged points again in the closing stages of the opening 35 minutes with Brian Hurley pointing for Cork. It looked like the teams would be level at half-time until Hurley slotted over a two-pointer, 0-13 to 1-8 at the short whistle.

Fahy gave the Leesiders a three-point buffer on the resumption. Gearóid McKiernan did cut the deficit back down to two points.

It was quickly level when the same player landed a two-point free, 0-14 to 1-11 after 39 minutes.

McDonnell then had another goal chance, but after being set up by O’Callaghan, he couldn’t find the net.

Cavan were clinical and 1-1 without reply from Ciarán Brady-Arva gave his team a 2-12 to 0-14 lead after 45 minutes.

McVeety with the assist for the green flag.

A Paul Walsh fisted effort did leave Cork a goal behind, but they were playing second fiddle at this stage.

A pair of quick-fire Cavan points left the Ulster outfit with 2-14 to 0-15 advantage with 22 minutes left. A Cronin free kept Cork in touch.

The away team were down to 14 players for a short period after 51 minutes following a black card for Ryan Brady for a trip on Cork sub Ian Maguire.

A free and a two-point free from sub Paddy Lynch gave Cavan a 2-17 to 0-16 lead with 12 minutes to go.

A McDonnell point and an orange flag from sub Sherlock left the Rebels four points behind as Cavan went back to 15 players on the pitch.

A pair of Cronin frees and a Chris Óg Jones effort left Cork a point behind after 68 minutes, 2-17 to 0-22.

A Sherlock two-point free gave Cork the lead a minute from time and it proved to be the winner.

Scorers for Cork: M Cronin 0-7 (0-4 f), S Sherlock 0-4 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f), S McDonnell (1 2pt), B Hurley (1 2pt) 0-3 each, L Fahy, P Walsh 0-2 each, C O’Callaghan, C Óg Jones, R Deane 0-1 each.

Cavan: D McVeety 1-4, C Brady-Arva 1-1, P Lynch (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), G McKiernan (1 2pt f) 0-3 each, O Brady 0-2, G Smith, T Madden, N Carolan, P Corrigan 0-1 each.

CORK: P Doyle; S Brady, D O’Mahony (c), T Walsh; B O’Driscoll, R Maguire, L Fahy; C O’Callaghan, S Walsh; P Walsh, S McDonnell, R Deane; M Cronin, B Hurley, C Óg Jones.

Subs: M Taylor for R Maguire (46), D Sheedy for R Deane, I Maguire for S Walsh (both 48), S Sherlock for B Hurley (53), M Shanley for S Brady (59).

CAVAN: L Brady; J McLoughlin, N Carolan, P Meade; Ciarán Brady-Arva (c), Cormac Brady, G Smith; Ciarán Brady, Conor Brady; R Donohoe, D McVeety, T Madden; O Brady, G McKiernan, P Corrigan.

Subs: T Noack Hofman for N Carolan (28-28, temp), P Lynch for P Corrigan (43), R Brady for Ciarán Brady (48), D Lovett for for Ciarán Brady-Arva (59), T Noack Hofman for N Carolan (66), E Clarke for R Donohoe (69).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).