Cork looking to make it third time lucky against Louth in Ardee

Cork will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins this weekend in the Allianz Division 2 Football League.

John Cleary’s side got off the mark in their opener last Sunday afternoon after overcoming the challenge of Cavan at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The Rebels now face a difficult assignment against Louth at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee on Sunday with throw-in at 1.30pm.

Cork will be well aware of the test that lies ahead this weekend considering they have lost on their last two visits to Ardee in 2023 and ’24.

The Leesiders were comfortable winners over Louth down the Páirc last year.

Cork will know that consistency will be key in this campaign if they want to be in the promotion mix when the end of the league comes around.

That has been an issue with Cork football for some time and something that Cleary and his players are working hard to address.

They will know that after beating Meath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh last year in the first game, they then lost by a point away to Down.

This is a big opportunity to make it two wins from two. But Cork will know that making the long journey to Ardee and the tight compact ground that it is, helps the reigning Leinster winners.

It worked for them in 2023 when they recovered from being five points down to defeat the Rebels on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-10 in an entertaining Round 6 clash.

The game turned on a decision by Longford referee Fergal Kelly to deem Seán Powter’s challenge on Ryan Burns worthy of a penalty in the 28th minute.

The Louth player saw his kick well saved by Micheál Aodh Martin diving to his right only for Burns to react quickest to the rebound and fist in a crucial goal. 

To add insult to injury, a number of minutes later, Cork lost Daniel O’Mahony to a red card. The momentum was with Louth. They finished the encounter strongly to prevail.

Then in 2024, the Wee County would defeat the Rebels again in the second round of the league.

For the second successive season, missed goal chances and lapses in concentration proved costly as Cleary’s outfit lost this time on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-13.

That was Cork’s second defeat on the trot following a heavy loss to Donegal and they would be on the wrong end of the scoreline again when they lost to Cavan in the third game.

But out of those three losses, the two-point defeat against Louth certainly stung hard.

The concession of two green flags that Cork would have been disappointed with and failing to score after the 56th minute would have been frustrating.

They had led by a point with 14 minutes to go but wouldn’t score again.

Ardee is a small ground with the supporters right on top of the players. Also, the pitch definitely suits Louth in terms of the way they play.