The Echo Sport Podcast: Cork footballers need fans behind them for Meath showdown

The only way is up for the Cork footballers...

The Echo Podcast looks at the Rebels' terrific start to the league after a third successive league victory leaves them in a strong position to gain promotion back to Division 1, bridging an 11-year gap.

John Cleary's side were heavy favourites in Tullamore but haven't always handled that tag well, which allied to their inconsistency in recent years, meant the trip to Offaly was loaded with danger.

A brilliant first half was crucial to the result, with Cork leading by nine points at the break, thanks in no small part to a Colm O'Callaghan brace of goals from midfield. 

A third green flag raised by Mark Cronin in the third quarter effectively sealed it but the hosts, despite being against the wind in the second half, battled until the end and had the gap down to five points at the finish.

Ultimately, the result was all that mattered and it was never in doubt. 

Cork are at home to Meath in Páirc Uí Rinn next where a victory would be huge given the Royals are also unbeaten with three wins on the board.

BACKING

With genuine momentum, having won the McGrath Cup on Kerry turf in January, it's time for the supporters to get out in force for the Meath clash. The footballers deserve and need their backing.

There's also a look back at the Sigerson Cup final where missed goal chances cost UCC though a handful of Leesiders in UL colours did collect the cup at Croke Park.

On the hurling front, with the hurlers off until March 1, the podcast crew discuss the trends from the first three games, who from the extended squad deserves a go in the remaining matches and whether Ben O'Connor will continue to go all-in at every interview. 

His fiery approach is delighting the national media while also taking the heat off the Cork players who are still trying to escape the shadow of last year's All-Ireland final nightmare.

Plus, after an excellent showing for UL in the Fitzgibbon Cup final where he was in contention for Man of the Match, is Jack Leahy hard done by not to be in the Cork hurling squad?

Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field.