Steven Sherlock among Division 2’s early scoring pacesetters

With two rounds completed in the Allianz National Football League Division 2, Cork are in the healthiest position they’ve found themselves in at this level for a number of years.

John Cleary’s side sit on four points at the summit, edging Meath on scoring difference. Early signs show promise, this might be the year where promotion contention is more than just talk, but there are still a number of tough games to be played before that picture is revealed in full.

Steven Sherlock’s contribution has been central to that positive start. His returns over the opening two weekends have earned him joint third place in the overall scoring charts.

He only trails Tyrone’s Ethan Jordan and Kildare’s Brian McLoughlin, the division’s top two scorers, who have tallied 1-13 and 0-14 each across the opening two rounds.

Tied with Sherlock for third place are Cavan’s Gearóid McKiernan and Offaly’s Keith O’Neill, both of whom have registered 0-12 thus far.

The St Finbarr’s forward also sits joint tenth in the from play category, with a total of 0-5, the same as teammates Seán McDonnell and Brian Hurley.

Leading the way in the from play chart is Kildare’s McLoughlin with 0-11, while Cavan’s Dara McVeety sits next best in that category on 1-6, his performance versus Cork a key reason for his placing.

National Football League Division 2 Top 10 scorers:

1 Ethan Jordan (Tyrone) 1-13 (2 tpf, 1 tp, 0-4 f, 0-1 45) 

2 Brian McLoughlin (Kildare) 0-14 (2 tp, 0-3 f) 

3 Steven Sherlock (Cork) 0-12 (2 tp, 1 tpf, 0-4 f, 0-1 45) 

3 Gearóid McKiernan (Cavan) 0-12 (2 tpf, 0-4 f) 

3 Keith O’Neill (Offaly) 0-12 (2 tp, 1 tpf, 0-4 f) 

6 Shane McGuigan (Derry) 0-11 (1 tpf, 0-4 f) 

6 Alex Beirne (Kildare) 1-8 (1 tpf, 0-1)

8 Jordan Morris (Meath) 1-7 (1-0 pen, 1 tpf) 

8 Sam Mulroy (Louth) 1-7 (0-3 f, 0-1 45) 

10 Dara McVeety (Cavan) 1-6 

National Football League Division 2 Top 10 scorers from play:

1 Brian McLoughlin (Kildare) 0-11 (2 tp) 

2 Dara McVeety (Cavan) 1-6 

3 Alex Beirne (Kildare) 1-5 

3 Craig Lennon (Louth) 0-8 (1 tp) 

5 Ethan Jordan (Tyrone) 1-4 (1 tp) 

6 Sam Mulroy (Louth) 1-3 

6 Keith O’Neill (Offaly) 0-6 (2 tp) 

6 Jack Flynn (Meath) 0-6 (2 tp) 

6 Paul Cassidy (Derry) 1-3 (1 tp) 

10 Steven Sherlock (Cork) 0-5 (2 tp)