Cork captain Emma Cleary: We won't be taking Meath challenge lightly

It has been a league campaign that Cork can only be delighted with so far, as they top the table with two games to go.

On Saturday, they are at home to Meath, throw-in 5pm at MTU, and a win here would guarantee their spot in the league final.

It’s likely they will reach it anyway, but a win will put it beyond doubt and give them a free hit away to Dublin a week later.

Objective one has well and truly been secured for this side already, who can only be delighted with their performances to date having gained promotion back from Division Two for this season.

Manager Joe Carroll and his squad’s first objective was to secure their place in the top flight for next season, and they have more than surpassed that.

Massive credit must go to all involved in their success to date, as Cork are the only side who haven’t lost a game so far.

Of course, Carroll won’t be taking anything for granted, and all will be well aware of the challenge that Meath are. They have been one of the top sides in the country over recent years and, home or away, are never easy to beat.

Cork captain Emma Cleary has been leading by example all season and so far has ensured her side remain undefeated in the league.

Reflecting on their games so far and their promotion from Division 2, Emma said: “We really wanted to give a good run at this league, and all you can do is take it game by game. It's funny, maybe the Kildare result the first day when we drew was a bit disappointing at the time. But now that's the point that's keeping us above every other team at the moment.

“It just shows how important that was. But we've just been building game on game and looking for performances, and I think we've been getting those, which has been getting us the points on the board.

“We're happy where we are at the moment.”

SUITING CORK

The rules have changed this season, like the men’s game, and Emma feels they are suiting Cork.

“I think they have suited us so far, and it's probably shown in the games. We have a couple of quick forwards there in the likes of Rachel Leahy and Grace Murphy. I think even the quick free rule is probably helping us out a lot.

“When you have talented forwards like Katie Quirke, probably not coming up against mass defences is helping too with the three-up rule.

“I think this style of play is probably suiting us a bit more than some others, and we're probably benefiting from it this year.

Ross Howell, our strength and conditioning coach, has got us really in top physical condition, and I think that has helped us as well, especially with the new rules and the fast-paced game we like to play.”

Turning her attention to tomorrow’s game against Meath, Emma is well aware of another tough task ahead of them to secure their league final spot.

“We know how well set up and how good they're going to be. Ciara Smyth got Player of the Match in the O'Connor Cup final (college final) last weekend. We know how many talented players they have.

"It's not going to be easy, and Waterford was our toughest game so far in the league, and they have beaten them as well.

“There have been a few funny results with the different teams in the league, but we won't be taking them for granted.

“We've had a few tough battles with them over the last few years. We're really looking forward to it at MTU tomorrow after a few weeks off.”

Cork have plenty of quality players and are building a side that is a match for any in the country.

With wins over Galway, Kerry, Waterford, and Armagh, the Rebels have every right to go into this clash with Meath in confident form.

None of these sides are easy to beat, and with away wins over Kerry and Armagh among them, it shows just how well Cork are playing this season.

Carroll is fast to point out that nothing is one yet, but he is also delighted with how the league has gone so far and will be hoping for a win on Saturday to secure that final spot ahead of their final game against Dublin.