The Echo Sport Podcast: Cork footballers delivered when it mattered plus hurlers back in action

The good times keep on rolling for the Rebels, after a brilliant and nail-biting victory over Meath at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday.

It means John Cleary's side are in pole position for promotion from Division 2, 10 years after falling out of the top flight. It was the footballers' fourth win on the bounce and against one of their rivals to go up, which could prove crucial if head-to-head standings come into play.

BOOST

Most importantly, it was a game in which Cork coped with the weight of expectation, in front of a crowd of over 6,000, and despite losing captain Ian Maguire to a red card in the last quarter. 

Now they needed a few last-ditch tackles, from Daniel O'Mahony, Seán Meehan and Luke Fahy, in the last play, to deny Meath a match-winning goal.

Chris Óg Jones hit the net and led the scoring but rookie Dara Sheedy, Mark Cronin, Seán McDonnell and Steven Sherlock all chipped in as well. The Cork forward line is looking the most balanced it has for quite some time, especially when you consider Brian Hurley was injured. 

Cork's mettle will be fully tested up in Derry next Sunday though, as the Ulster side have been on song since a surprise loss in their opening game. They still have Kildare at home before finishing the campaign away to Tyrone and just one win could be enough to secure a top-two finish.

The big thing is Cork now have genuine momentum and got the public behind them. That could be significant come championship.

On the ladies football front, Cork are also unbeaten. They beat Kerry on the road and take on Waterford next weekend in a battle of the table-toppers. Emma Cleary is captaining Joe Carroll's side, who have adapted well on their return to Division 1.

The hurlers had a couple of weekends off but return with a bang to start March, as Ben O'Connor's charge are away to Kilkenny and then six days later go to Limerick, who blew Tipp away in Thurles. 

SHOWDOWN

A victory in Nowlan Park would near guarantee a league final appearance, given Cork have Offaly at home to come. It looks like Cork and Limerick are on a collision course.

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.