Cork footballers will look to use Páirc Uí Rinn to its advantage in crucial tie 

Due to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh being unavailable this weekend because of minor maintenance on the pitch, the Cork footballers' key encounter against Meath will be played at Cork's secondary venue.

Páirc Uí Rinn is the venue on Sunday for the sides Allianz Division 2 Football League Round 4 clash with throw-in at 2pm.

The old rivals are both well placed for a serious promotion push in this campaign with both having won their opening three games.

Perhaps Páirc Uí Rinn is the best venue for this particular fixture even though a large crowd is expected to make their way to the Boreenmanna Road venue at the weekend.

There’s always something special when the Cork footballers play there. They have had some memorable victories at the stadium most notably two years ago in an All-Ireland group game against Donegal.

On a sizzling hot day, the atmosphere was red hot in front of a packed crowd. It’s well documented that the Cork footballers don’t get the same volume of support as the Cork hurlers, but it has been shown though that the Cork public are well capable of following the footballers.

It does take a fair bit of effort for that to happen and the Rebels' inconsistency over the last decade or so hasn’t helped.

Sunday’s game against Meath will be the first time that John Cleary’s side will play a competitive fixture at Páirc Uí Rinn since that victory over Donegal.

They will know that after this game, they will have just three more games in the league, away to Derry, home to Kildare and then away to Tyrone.

The Rebels will know the importance of collecting another two points against Meath given the difficulty of the away games on the horizon.

Cork will need the supporters to get right behind them. There’s good reason for the public to make their way into Páirc Uí Rinn. The Leesiders have won their first three league games and are in with a chance of moving up to Division 1 for the first time since 2016.

With Ben O’Connor’s Cork hurlers not in action this weekend, it may also draw a few more in for this crucial game.

We all know the value of the supporters and there’s no doubt they played a part in Cork's opening day win over Cavan at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh most notably in the second half.

After two successful long away trips to Louth and Offaly, the Rebels will be glad to be back on home soil.

Home advantage does count for something particular in the league where you wouldn’t have massive away support. 

Páirc Uí Rinn does have a good name when it comes to generating an atmosphere with the stands very close to the pitch.

Cork will be looking to make it count against Meath, which would put them in a great position for promotion should they win.