Big win for Cork as they impressively defeat Louth in Drogheda 

Louth: 1-12 (1-1-10) 

Cork: 1-17 (1-2-13) 

A massive win in so many ways for Cork after seeing off Louth in the Allianz Division 2 Football League clash at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda on Sunday afternoon.

It’s now four points from the first two games for John Cleary’s side, something that the Rebels have now achieved in the top two divisions for the first time since 2015.

After losing on their last two visits to Louth in 2023 and ’24 under Cleary’s tutelage where lapses in concentration proved costly, this was a well-rounded team performance from Cork where they dug in and also showed quality.

Cork were impressive for the majority most notably towards the end of the opening half when a pair of two-pointers helped the Leesiders to an eight-point lead at the short whistle.

They were brave and confident and kept their opposition at arm’s length.

Wides for Louth did hurt them, but they can have no complaints on a day when they relied too much on their marksman Sam Mulroy.

There were two changes to the Cork team that was announced on Friday night with Matty Taylor replacing Rory Maguire and Steven Sherlock coming in for Ruairí Deane.

The reigning Leinster winners hit the first point from a difficult free through Mulroy. It was a nervy start from Cork with a wide and one dropped short.

Patient play resulted in Luke Fahy drawing the Rebels level after six minutes. The sides traded frees before an eye-catching Tommy Walsh effort nudged Cork ahead in what was a physical and even opening.

Patrick Doyle’s kick-outs and Colm O’Callaghan’s aerial ability in midfield gave Cork a foothold as Chris Óg Jones gave Cleary’s side a two-point buffer.

The Munster outfit remained two points to the good after 19 minutes until Mulroy had a great opportunity for a Louth goal, but his effort went narrowly wide.

A minute later, Brian Hurley set up Jones who made no mistake to finish to the net as the Rebels opened up a five-point advantage, 1-5 to 0-3.

Craig Lennon and Mulroy did point for Louth, but they had registered seven wides up to this juncture.

A Cronin effort was a settler for Cork after a period of pressure from Louth. It was followed by a Hurley two-pointer as his team led 1-8 to 0-5 with four minutes to the break.

A second successive orange flag, this time from a Sherlock free, was a huge score from a difficult angle, 1-10 to 0-5 at half-time.

Ciarán Downey did get Louth up and running with a point before it was cancelled out by a Sherlock free.

The home team did start better than what they produced in the opening 35 minutes. They did land two of the next three white flags as they trailed 1-12 to 0-8 after 45 minutes.

A Mulroy 45 did cut the deficit down to six points for Louth followed by an effort by sub Tadhg McDonnell.

Seán McDonnell kicked over a vital point for Cork to stem the Louth tide until Sherlock slotted over a 45, 1-14 to 0-10 after 53 minutes.

Cork managed the game well for the next while, a Sherlock free gave the Rebels breathing space with nine minutes to go.

Scores were at a premium in the closing stages, which suited Cork down to the ground.

That man Sherlock got another free before Downey kicked over a two-pointer for Louth.

It didn’t matter really. The St Finbarr’s star bisected the posts to secure the win.

Louth did get a consolation goal right at the end when Dermot Campbell’s long delivery evaded everyone.

Scorers for Louth: S Mulroy 0-6 (0-3 f, 0-1 45), C Downey 0-3 (1 2pt), D Campbell 1-0, T McDonnell, C Lennon, C Grimes 0-1 each.

CORK: S Sherlock 0-8 (1 2pt f, 0-4 f, 0-1 45), C Óg Jones 1-1, B Hurley (1 2pt), S McDonnell, M Cronin 0-2 each, T Walsh, L Fahy 0-1 each.

LOUTH: T Markey; P Tinnelly, D Campbell, D McKenny; E Callaghan, P Lynch, C Lennon; D McDonnell, C Early; P Mathews, S Mulroy (c), C Grimes; C Keenan, C Downey, R Burns.

Subs: T McDonnell for E Callaghan (h-t), S Callaghan for P Mathews (45), D Nally for C Grimes (54), C McCaul for C Keenan (58), S Renolds for C Early (63).

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

Subs: R Maguire for M Taylor (46), I Maguire for S Walsh (48, blood), R Deane for P Walsh (53), D Sheedy for M Cronin (58), C Daly for B Hurley (68), J O’Driscoll for B O’Driscoll (70).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).