Cork footballers show maturity as unwanted record comes to an end

Have the Cork footballers turned a corner or is it too early to say?

Certainly they have taken a big step in the right direction after defeating Louth in the Allianz Division 2 Football League at Integral GAA Grounds in Drogheda on Sunday afternoon.

John Cleary’s side have now won their first two games after becoming used to slow and inconsistent starts in previous seasons.

In fact, the Rebels, as a result of the 1-17 to 1-12 victory over the reigning Leinster winners, have now won their first two games of a league season excluding Division 3 since 2015.

Eleven years ago, Cork were a seasoned Division 1 team, but that would come to an end the following year and they haven’t returned since to the top-tier. 

Promotion pushes are built on strong starts and it’s something Cleary’s charges would have been targeting from a long way off in advance of the current season getting underway.

Victories over Cavan and Louth were winnable games, but there have been plenty of times in the past where Cork have flattered to deceive.

It’s still early days but they have shown maturity and a bit of steel.

When the half-time whistle sounded against Louth, Cleary clapped his hands as he made his way down the tunnel.

He looked like a man that was pleased with what he saw in the opening 35 minutes. The Rebels led by eight points as they largely controlled proceedings.

There wasn't too much to be said about the second 35 minutes, no dramatic comeback from the opposition. Cleary and his players don’t need reminding of 12 months ago when Cork let a 10-point lead slip through their fingers as they lost by a point away to Down.

That defeat in the second league game is what ultimately cost Cork promotion when all was said and done.

Louth did bring it down to five points after 47 minutes, but the away team just played down the clock and did nothing silly.

Cork won by five points, it was comfortable. Louth got a goal with the last kick of the game to make the scoreline somewhat respectable.

The Cork players made their way into the ground on Sunday with a swagger and full of smiles. 

They departed Drogheda with a swagger and full of smiles. Another win, four points from a possible four.

You can’t ask for much more.