Colm O'Callaghan on Cork's perfect start: 'Division 1 is what we're looking at now'

Three from three. Cork’s best opening stretch to a Division 2 league campaign since they were relegated from the top flight in 2016.

By half-time, Cork had built a nine-point cushion after a first 35 display that left Offaly chasing shadows. Against a wind that should have given Offaly all the momentum, Cork instead dictated every meaningful passage.

At the heart of it all was Colm O’Callaghan.

His work through the middle and influence up front was phenomenal, and he crowned his display with two brilliantly taken goals that put the Leesiders on the front and pushed Cork closer to their aim of reaching Division 1.

“That [Division 1] is what we're looking at now,” O’Callaghan said after the win. “That's obviously the aim at the start of every year is to go up to Division 1.

“You want to be playing the best teams in the country.

“But look, I suppose there's a lot of work to be done now for next Tuesday night in training before the Meath game.” 

The contest was effectively settled in that opening period.

Cork retired with a commanding advantage, while Offaly limped to the short whistle with just 0-6 on the board, converting only four of their 11 attempts. Their kickout retention faltered badly and Cork punished every inch of space they were offered.

“It was a very positive first half anyway,” O’Callaghan remarked. “There was a strong wind there.

“I suppose looking at the game you would have thought the wind was going in the opposite direction really, because I think we had the ball most of the first half against the wind and then it was the opposite then in the second half.

“But fierce up to Offaly there, we won by five in the end and we were up I think it was ten at a half time, so in fairness to them, they brought it back to five points in the second half against a strong wind.

“They're a very young and up and coming team, I know Division 2 is a very tough division. You can go up as fast as you can go down.

“We're happy to be three wins from three now and we're looking forward to the Meath game now next week.” 

The breeze was hugely influential in determining shot selection, but not always sensibly. Both Cork and Offaly played their best football without it. The Faithful in particular guilty of forcing long-range two-point efforts they didn’t need. Their opening two scores came via orange flags, but it was the accumulation of missed opportunities that proved costly.

O’Callaghan felt that a wind so strong and inviting can encourage players to shoot from distance, even when it’s not always the right option. The Éire Óg clubman felt that might have played a part in why both teams played better football without it.

“That's 100% it,” he added. “I think it's probably a head game really. If you know you have the wind, you're probably taking chances that you wouldn't take against it.

“You're definitely working the ball a bit slower up the field and you're taking the shots on that are 100% on. It definitely makes a difference.” 

Cork’s attacking threat was another standout factor. The inside line of Chris Óg Jones, Mark Cronin and Steven Sherlock asked constant questions, while debut starter Dara Sheedy impressed with an energetic shift.

“It's brilliant. Having those shooters inside is unbelievable,” O’Callaghan said. “It makes our work a lot easier. Just feeding them the ball, and let them do the work. But in fairness, the three lads were firing well today so long may it last.”