Louth v Cork: One change as Rebels name team for long trip to Drogheda

Cork manager John Cleary has had to make one enforced change for his side’s Allianz Division 2 Football League clash with Louth this weekend.

The Rebels got their league campaign off to a winning start last Sunday afternoon after coming from behind to beat Cavan at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cleary’s side won 0-24 to 2-17 thanks to getting the last eight scores. Substitute Steven Sherlock nailed a two-point free right at the end to win the game. 

Defender Seán Brady was forced off in that game due to a hand injury. Maurice Shanley replaced him with the Clonakilty player set to start from the off for the second league game.

The Rebels face Louth at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda on Sunday afternoon with throw-in at 1.30pm. The game was supposed to be on at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee, but due to the poor weather conditions, a decision was made on Wednesday afternoon to move the game.

Cork have lost on their last two visits to Ardee in 2023 and ’24, so they will be glad to a certain degree that the game is at another venue.

In saying that, Cork haven’t happy memories either in Drogheda. They lost there to the Wee County on a scoreline of 1-6 to 0-7 in March 1994.

Other than the one enforced change, it’s as you were in terms of the starting 15 with Cathail O’Mahony coming on to the bench. The Mitchelstown star has fully recovered from a minor injury he suffered in the McGrath Cup win over Tipperary at the start of the month.

There’s no shortage of quality in reserve and that’s what got Cork over the line against Cavan.

The five subs that were introduced all made an impact with Matty Taylor, Dara Sheedy, Ian Maguire, Sherlock and Shanley all contributing.

Cleary and his management know that they will need a similar input from the subs once again this weekend if Cork want to record back-to-back wins to start their league campaign.

CORK (v Louth):

Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree);

Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree, capt), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk);

Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Rory Maguire (Castlehaven), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig);

Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown);

Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Seán McDonnell (Mallow), Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues);

Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Brian Hurley (Castlehaven), Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire).

Subs: Micheál Aodh Martin (Nemo Rangers), Jacob O’Driscoll (Valley Rovers), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam), Matty Taylor (Mallow), Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues), David Buckley (Newcestown), Conor Cahalane (Castlehaven), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s), Conor Daly (Clonakilty), Cathail O’Mahony (Mitchelstown).