Silver lining for resilient Rebels

THE summer will certainly bring more severe tests, but Cork can reflect with satisfaction on their spring affairs after strolling through yesterday’s Allianz NFL Division 1 final in Croke Park.

Just like 12 months ago, Conor Counihan’s side will enter the championship with a league title in the trophy cabinet but this triumph was more resounding than their Division Two success last April.

The yawning chasm that existed between the sides meant this was a poor spectacle and by the interval there was no doubting that the silverware was heading south. Conor Mortimer popped over a pair of points early in the second half to cut the deficit Mayo faced to two points, 0-9 to 0-7, but notions that a competitive match was about to erupt were quickly shredded as Cork upped gears.