John Cleary and Cork relishing trip to Tyrone with promotion on the line

Cork manager John Cleary is remaining calm and composed as his side prepare for a huge game at the weekend.

The destiny is in the Rebels’ hands as they make the long journey up the country to face Tyrone in the last game of the Allianz Division 2 Football League. Throw-in is at 1.15pm on Sunday at O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh.

Cork know that a positive result will suffice in order to gain promotion to Division 1, a place where they haven’t been since 2016.

“We know if we win, we are promoted and scoring difference doesn’t come into it so it takes that out of it,” Cleary says.

“If we draw, we’re promoted. Tyrone is a very difficult place to go, but if you told me this scenario at the start of the season, I’d have bitten the hand off for it.

“So look, up to now, we’d have to be happy with the way the league has gone. And as I said, to win five out of six in any division is pretty tough and particularly the long trips that we have had to make.

“The away games are tough and it won’t be easy in Tyrone. But look, we’re delighted to be going there with a chance and, you know, it’s a big game for us.

“We’re kind of saying, look, bring it on. This is where we want to be and that’s where we are.” 

There’s no point in trying to play down this game, it’s a pretty big one for Cork football in general. There’s pressure to deliver but the Rebels should relish this and grasp the occasion.

“The mindset is that it’s in our hands now,” the Castlehaven clubman said.

“But Tyrone are a quality side. They put up a big score again against Meath and just fell short. We know that we are facing a big challenge travelling up to Tyrone. 

"They are a formidable team, All-Ireland semi-finalists last year and they are at home. They have some excellent players and I am sure they will come out all guns blazing. 

“Hopefully we can equip ourselves well.” 

In terms of injuries, Cleary says that Matty Taylor, who was only on the pitch a few minutes after coming on for Tommy Walsh last weekend, is very doubtful for Sunday due to a shoulder injury.

“We have had six games in seven weeks, so it’s going to be attritional and you're going to have players out, every team has it, so it’s a case of who’s next up and that’s the way we are looking at it.

“If you don’t have a panel, you will be found out pretty quickly at this level.”