Cork footballers maintain perfect start in Division 2 with win in Offaly
Dara Sheedy of Cork in action against Marcas Dalton of Offaly. Picture: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile
Cork have maintained their perfect start to their Allianz Division 2 Football League campaign following a polished performance against Offaly at Glenisk O’Connor Park in Tullamore on Sunday afternoon.
It’s now three wins from the first three games for John Cleary’s side and very few will argue with the scoreline in this one. Cork have now picked up six points from a possible six for the first time in the top two divisions since 2014.
The groundwork was done in the first half as the Rebels led by nine points at the short whistle despite playing into a strong wind. Colm O’Callaghan was the scorer of the two goals in the first half.
There will be aspects to the second half display that Cleary won’t be pleased with but it’s another win.
There were four changes to the team from the one that was named on Friday night with Seán Meehan and Rory Maguire coming in for Tommy Walsh and Brian O’Driscoll in defence.
Ian Maguire replaced Seán Walsh in the middle of the field while Dara Sheedy started for the first time at senior level instead of Brian Hurley.
Offaly were aided by a strong wind advantage in the opening 35 minutes in front of 1,260 patrons, but it was Cork who had the lion's share of possession early on and got the first score after three minutes through a Chris Óg Jones point.
The home side replied through a two-pointer from Cormac Egan with the wind having an impact early on as both sides tried to get to grips with the elements. It would be the only time Offaly would be in front.
The Rebels tacked on two unanswered white flags from Jones and Sheedy, 0-3 to 0-2 after eight minutes.
A minute later, the away outfit rattled the back of the net, a great move involving Jones resulted in O’Callaghan unleashing a powerful shot into the top corner of the net.
Seán McDonnell, Mark Cronin and Steven Sherlock (free) white flags pushed Cork seven points clear, 1-6 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.
Despite playing against the elements, Cork were patient and clinical in their approach.
Offaly’s second two-pointer, this time from Keith O’Neill, was badly required for them after 16 minutes without a score.
Cork never looked in trouble though, another Sherlock free and a fisted effort by Cronin gave the away team a 1-8 to 0-4 advantage with nine minutes to the break.
The winners also created a goal chance in that time, but McDonnell’s piledriver came back off the post after a clever pass by Sheedy.
Offaly kicked two of the next three points before Cork got their second goal after 34 minutes when O’Callaghan bagged his second green flag after another assist from Jones, 2-9 to 0-6 at half-time.
An easy Plunkett free got Offaly up and running in the second half, but Cork replied with 1-1 in a minute, Sherlock with the point while Cronin netted the goal after another brilliant move, 3-10 to 0-7 after 39 minutes.
A pair of Plunkett points, one which was a free, and an effort from Daire McDaid did keep the home side just about alive.
Rory Maguire picked up a black card after 46 minutes, as Cork were reduced to 14 players for 10 minutes.
A Cronin free pushed Cork 10 points clear in what was a dull second half to this point, which suited the Leesiders.
The sides swapped white flags until a Plunkett effort left Offaly 3-12 to 0-12 behind with 15 minutes to go. That man Plunkett cut the gap to eight points as Rory Maguire returned to the field.
Cork had the measure of their opposition despite Offaly’s gallant effort. The Faithful landed three of the next four points to trail 3-13 to 0-16 after 62 minutes.
A beauty from Sherlock from an acute angle settled the Rebels followed by a Seán Walsh effort.
Offaly did finish the game with the last three points, but they were mere consolation scores. Cork prevailed by five points.
H Plunkett 0-8 (0-4 f), K O’Neill 0-5 (1 2pt), C Egan 0-3 (1 2pt), N Furlong, J Hayes, D McDaid 0-1 each.
M Cronin 1-4 (0-1 f), C O’Callaghan 2-1, S Sherlock 0-5 (0-2 f), C Óg Jones 0-2, S McDonnell, S Walsh, D Sheedy 0-1 each.
C Melia; S O’Toole-Greene, D Dempsey, D McDaid; C Egan (capt), D Egan, R Egan; J McEvoy, A Leavy; M Dalton, J Hayes, K O’Neill; H Plunkett, C Murphy, E Sawyer.
N Furlong for E Sawyer (h-t), D Flynn for C Murphy (46), E Dunne for M Dalton (52), D Molloy for A Leavy (64).
P Doyle; M Shanley, D O’Mahony, S Meehan; M Taylor, R Maguire, L Fahy; C O’Callaghan, I Maguire (capt); P Walsh, D Sheedy, S McDonnell; S Sherlock, C Óg Jones, M Cronin.
R Deane for P Walsh (46), S Walsh for I Maguire (51), C O’Mahony for C Óg Jones (52), M A Martin for P Doyle (59, inj), C Cahalane for S McDonnell (66).
Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).
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