'We dug ourselves out of a hole’ — John Cleary hails eight-point turnaround as Cork get back on track

A stirring second-half revival saw Cork overturn an eight-point deficit to defeat Meath by 0-30 to 1-24 in Saturday evening’s All-Ireland SFC Round 1 clash at Páirc Uí Rinn, with manager John Cleary praising the resolve, composure and sheer stubbornness that carried his side over the line.

It was an incredible victory and one of the sweetest in a number of years. The Rebels ticked every box after the break to come out on top, all the more impressive given they had to play with 14 men for the final 20 minutes after a harsh red card for Colm O’Callaghan.

This was the perfect response to the loss to Kerry in the Munster final.

“I suppose particularly the way it happened today, we dug ourselves into a small bit of a hole and dug ourselves out,” Cleary said post-match.

“We played quite well for 20 or 25 minutes. The big moments went against us. Meath got a goal and a couple of two-pointers, which the wind would give you. Even at half-time, we were eight down but we felt we weren’t out of it.

“We said at half-time: keep chipping away, and when we get momentum, work the two-pointers because the breeze will give you that.

“When you have momentum, it gets you back into games very quickly. The crowd got behind us and everything. The lads showed tremendous character, resolve, passion — whatever you’d say — to get us over the line.” 

Just as Cork nudged ahead, the contest took another twist. O’Callaghan’s straight red card with 20 minutes to go threatened to derail the Rebels, but Cleary was adamant the decision was harsh.

“It isn’t to me a deliberate strike or anything like that. He’s trying to free himself. The player was holding on to him and he just put his hand back. It seems very harsh.” 

Down to 14 men, Cork were forced to show a different type of maturity. They did so impressively, picking off a series of excellent scores to establish a cushion that proved decisive.

The bench played its part too, with fresh legs and sharp decision-making helping Cork navigate the closing stages.

“We feel we have a strong enough squad,” the Cork boss said.

“The players on the field were playing well — it wasn’t that anyone was playing badly — but we needed impetus and fresh legs coming down the home straight.

“Also, the crowd inspired the players and they responded to it. We were delighted to have that crowd behind us.” 

The win also carried a wider significance. Coming off a disappointing outing against Kerry, Cleary felt the group needed a performance that better reflected their work and ability.

“We didn’t think it was as bad as people made out,” the Castlehaven man said.

“We scored 13 points in the first half. We were disappointed with the result, maybe a bit disappointed with the way we played, but we hadn’t become a bad team overnight. This was our first chance to atone.

“I think that game helped us today. When the crunch came, we were a bit more battle-hardened. There’s nothing like a championship game. If you can have a game every two weeks, it’s ideal. Meath hadn’t played in over a month.” 

Cleary also referenced the physical toll of the contest and the importance of the three-week break before Round 2A.

“A game like that takes an awful lot out of a team. If you were to go again next weekend, it would be fairly tough. We’re looking at three weeks now, which will help.

“Before today we were two steps from the quarter-final; now we’re one. The big advantage is trying to get straight into the quarter-final because the games will be week on week.”