Cork footballers now have far better balance in attack with promotion in their hands

Cork have to be commended for the manner in which they brushed off the heavy defeat against Derry a fortnight ago to get their campaign back on the rails with victory over Kildare at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Losing by 17 points was the kind of result that could have shattered the confidence of the entire group. Going on Saturday’s display, they seem to have parked that and moved on.

Kildare had started their campaign brightly, drawing away against Tyrone before comfortably beating Offaly the following week. Since then, they have been poor, losing four in a row and you would be in no hurry to back them against Louth in Newbridge next weekend.

They were not the biggest challenge after suffering a big defeat, but Cork were extremely professional in the manner in which they put the game to bed early on, opening an unassailable 16-point lead by half-time.

Cork have become kings of the two-pointers this season. 

The new rules have made the sport a completely different game. Two years ago, players would probably have been chastised for taking on shots from 40 yards out, as it was considered too low percentage and a waste of possession, whereas to be successful, every team must have it in their armoury now to kick from distance, as Kerry displayed in the All-Ireland final last year.

That lead was built on the back of Cork’s ability to split the posts from range. They managed eight of them in that opening period with Steven Sherlock slotting three and Chris Óg Jones landing two, while Mark Cronin, Dara Sheedy and Luke Fahy registered one each. 

A few years ago, Cork would have been considered guilty of not having enough natural shooters in their line-up but they cannot be accused of that now.

One of the other big talking points from Saturday’s game was the cameo of Micheál Aodh Martin when he was introduced in the second half after starting goalkeeper Patrick Doyle was black-carded after giving away a penalty.

The Nemo netminder duly saved Alex Beirne’s spotter with his first touch and made further brilliant saves afterwards to keep Kildare at bay. Doyle would have been considered the most likely Cork number one after the win over Meath but Martin has Cork have two quality keepers on their panel, with either capable of standing between the sticks come the Munster championship.

IN THEIR HANDS

Derry’s defeat on Saturday removes the possibility of Cork winning six out of seven of their league ties and still not achieving promotion. That would have been a bitter spill to have been forced to swallow for John Cleary’s side. For the past few weeks, we have contemplated the prospect of Cork winning their last game up in Omagh, only to find out they missed out on points difference to Meath and Derry.

That cannot happen now. It is a huge positive to go into the last weekend knowing that victory in Healy Park guarantees promotion. It is in Cork’s own hands now. It is incredibly difficult to win up in Omagh but they will not be lacking in the motivation department given what is at stake next Sunday.

Tyrone have beaten Cavan and Offaly at home and drawn with Kildare. The failure to take maximum points against the three weakest teams has undermined their own promotion hopes, and they failed to pick up any points on the road against Derry, Louth and Meath. It's been a very disappointing league campaign for a side who see themselves as one of the big-hitters.

Meath are pretty much home and hosed in terms of promotion as they have the easiest tie of the round as they travel to Tullamore to face pointless Offaly. A win there and Robbie Brennan’s side hit the six-win mark that now guarantees Division 1 status.

If Cork lose then fans will become extremely interested in the outcomes of the Derry v Cavan and Kildare v Louth games. 

There are combinations of results in those ties that would leave the final promotion spot being decided on either head-to-head or points differences.

Of course, Cork can make it very simple by just winning next weekend and taking all of the permutations off the table.