Three reasons why Cork lost to Meath at Croke Park

1 – Croke Park: Cork boss John Cleary was playing down the Croke Park factor in the build-up to this game considering it’s Meath’s home base at the moment.

While Cork have played at GAA HQ in recent years, the Royals are much more familiar with the surroundings and it was one of the reasons why Meath came out on top.

Now, it wasn’t a huge factor but it was a small thing that helped tip the balance towards Robbie Brennan’s outfit. It's a bit of a fortress for them.

They had won their three games at Croker in the regular league campaign with their expansive football a joy to watch. GAA HQ suits it down to the ground. Eight losses on the trot now for Cork in the big house.

Meath also got a better impact from the bench with plenty of pace. Cork just couldn’t mark sub James Conlon who finished up with 0-4. 

2 – Quick turnaround: It wouldn’t be an excuse as both sides played on the same day and at the same time seven days prior to the league final, but there’s no doubt the Rebels had the much tougher game on the last day of the regular league season.

Cleary’s charges were pushed to the pin of their collar away to Tyrone as the Rebels won 0-22 to 0-19. On the other hand, Meath had a routine victory over Offaly in Tullamore. The game was won long before the hooter was sounded.

The Royals were able to empty the bench and start planning.

Cork were involved in a tough, physically and emotionally draining game in Omagh. The Leesiders weren't at their brilliant best against Meath and while the winners have to take credit for that, there was definitely an element of fatigue about Cork’s display most notably in the second 35 minutes.

3 – Fine margins: It’s always the case when you lose by a narrow margin that you look back on all the moments that could have put Cork into a better position.

It’s hard not to look back on the two goal chances that the Rebels should have scored in the first half.

It would have put them into a better position at half-time having just been up by two points at the interval. There was a feeling that Cork needed a bigger advantage than that.

Kick-outs were also a problem throughout. Meath dominated that sector especially at the most crucial juncture. Of Cork’s first 12 kick-outs in the second half, only three were retained. That's the crux of it really. It needs to be looked at before championship.