Noel O'Leary: 'Páirc Uí Rinn factor can help Cork get over the line against Meath'

Former Cork football star Noel O’Leary believes the Páirc Uí Rinn factor could play a huge part for the Rebels in their big game with Meath this weekend.

The two teams come into the fourth encounter in the Allianz Division 2 Football League with three wins on the board as both chase promotion.

The match has a 2pm start on Sunday with a large crowd expected to flock to Cork’s secondary venue.

“This game will be the acid test for both teams really,” the 2010 All-Ireland winner says.

“In saying that, Cork and Meath are probably two of the best teams in the league at the moment. Both are the most consistent, so we are all really looking forward to a great game on Sunday.

“Cork in fairness are playing some great football. Even going back to the McGrath Cup, there’s just stability there. The panel is settled and that makes a big difference.

“Going back to the last day against Offaly, how many times over the last few years Cork were expected to win those kind of games and the result went the other way? They were well in command against Offaly and just did their job. That’s a sign of a good team and a sign of a team that has momentum.” 

Cork will play at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday in a competitive fixture for the first time since the famous victory over Donegal in an All-Ireland group match in 2024.

“Páirc Uí Rinn will generate a great atmosphere at the weekend,” O’Leary said.

“I hope the Cork fans will travel in big numbers for this game. It’s an intriguing clash, two of the top teams in the league at this present time. On both sides, you have some quality players. Meath are certainly on the up and we saw that last year in the championship.

“Cork are playing an exciting brand of football and where the game is on will only add to the occasion. I think all that is left now is for the Cork fans to create that atmosphere on Sunday.

“It goes without saying and you wouldn’t be speaking out of turn when you say this, the Cork footballers traditionally over the years don’t pull the same numbers as the Cork hurlers. Having this game in Páirc Uí Rinn, there’s always a sense of a bigger crowd there and more of an atmosphere compared to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“It’s always a special occasion for a Cork football player when you have a league match in Páirc Uí Rinn. It brings its own atmosphere and I believe the Cork players will relish playing there at the weekend.

“When Cork beat Donegal two years ago at Páirc Uí Rinn, Cork played to the crowd that day and the atmosphere was excellent. Cork turned over a Donegal side that weren’t expecting to be turned over.

“That tells you there’s quality within the Cork team. Of course this game on Sunday will be tough, but there’s an expectation now that we expect Cork to win against Meath and that’s a good thing. More importantly, they put in a good display and hopefully that and the Páirc Uí Rinn factor will get them over the line.” 

While it’s a huge game on Sunday with both sides looking for a fourth victory on the trot, O’Leary doesn’t feel it will be a defining one. 

“I wouldn’t say this game is season-defining when it comes to the league. Hopefully Cork can get a result, but if not, they put in a progressive performance for what will be a tough few games on the horizon.

“For Cork to get back to the top table again, they need to be at the top table in the league as well.”