Cork manager John Cleary: 'We dug ourselves into a bit of a hole'

Cork manager was thrilled to bank a second win in three despite Westmeath comeback

Cork manager John Cleary before the Allianz Football League Division 2 match between Cork and Westmeath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile

It is seven years since Cork won two of their opening three League games in Division 2. Manager John Cleary has no intention of playing down the significance of such. But he was keen to stress that their promotion push will be defined not by this rare and positive start, rather by the more difficult forces yet to be encountered.

Cork’s opening three outings came against the two counties promoted from the third-tier last spring and a Meath side that finished one point above the Division 2 drop zone.

Next weekend sees Cork on the road to Monaghan. The weekend after that Roscommon are in town. That’s back-to-back examinations by the two sides who spent last spring in Division 1.

“If you remember last year, we lost the first three and dug ourselves into a big hole. Thanks be to God, we've won two of our first three. But we realise also that the tougher games this year, as opposed to last year, are coming down the home stretch. It was important that we won today. At times, we rode our luck, but we'll take it,” said Cleary.

That they absolutely did. Patrick Doyle produced a fine double save to deny Brian Cooney and Matthew Whittaker late in the first half. Midway through the second period, and with the sides level, Doyle and one of his defensive colleagues produced another double save to deny Luke Loughlin and Whittaker.

Even in the closing two minutes when clinging onto a one-point lead, Cork threaded the finest of lines.

“There were times early on when it looked like we could have a bit of a stroll, but we also know with these new rules the way things are going. We dug ourselves into a bit of a hole there in the second half. We were four down coming down the straight. Got back and led. And then almost let it go there at the end.

“We came back from Down and we thought we deserved something from it. But we didn't get anything out of it. I thought today we rode our luck a bit. Those are the swings and roundabouts in this division. When it is going, we'll take it and move on.” 

Absolutely central to the win was Chris Óg Jones' 3-4 from play. Saturday evening’s stunning haul brings his League contribution to 5-8 in total. His second goal, in particular, at a time when Cork had slipped from six in front to two behind, stemmed Westmeath's march.

“Chris would know this, but there were times when we came in and he might have missed those scores. But in fairness, he has worked very hard and got his just reward tonight. Great composure. Particularly for the third goal. Took on his man, there was nothing on and ultimately a great finish that got us over the line in the end.” 

During that aforementioned spell where Cork slipped from 1-10 to 1-4 in front on 26 minutes to 2-12 to 1-12 in arrears on 49 minutes, the Cork response, outside of Jones’ second green flag, was to unload their artillery off the bench.

Brian Hurley, Ruairí Deane, and Ian Maguire were all sprung for first League involvements of 2025.

“We know in this new game that you'll have your periods of dominance, and you have to get your scores there. And then there will be other times when you'll be under the cosh and you try and limit their scores.

“We would have been disappointed with our one-on-one defending at times. They seemed to brush past us easily and get scores. But again, I don't think teams will have consistency for even halves or quarters of games.

“Kickouts are so vital now and I thought the winning of the game for us was when we got on top of their kickout coming down the stretch. Ian Maguire and Ruairí Deane came on and they steadied our kick-out. I think that is what got us over the line.” 

When asked about squad newcomer Conor Cahalane, Cleary said of his nephew that matchday involvement had come too soon for him given he joined the set-up little over a week ago.

“We'll monitor him during the week and he'll have a part to play going forward but just too soon for him today.” 

Although named to start, Seán Powter did not tog because of a hamstring injury incurred in Newry last weekend. The same as this evening, Powter will play no part for the trip to Monaghan.