Cork ease relegation worries with important win over Louth

Having spent Saturday night in one of the Division 2 relegation spots, off the back of Down’s win over Westmeath, a third consecutive League defeat for Cork would have been near fatal.

Sun, 16 Mar, 2025 - 16:09

Eoghan Cormican, Pairc Ui Chaoimh

Cork 1-23 (1-4-15) Louth 0-18 (0-6-6)

Cork’s relegation worries eased. For now, at least.

Cork’s Tailteann Cup worries eased. For now, at least.

As they did in 2021, ‘22, and last year, the Cork footballers delivered when the need was greatest. They delivered when there was no alternative to victory.

Having spent Saturday night in one of the Division 2 relegation spots, off the back of Down’s win over Westmeath, a third consecutive League defeat for Cork would have been near fatal.

Instead, Cork head into the final round in fifth place and two points clear of the drop zone. A result of some sort is still required in Cavan next Sunday to make absolutely certain of safety and Sam Maguire status, but the pressure is considerably lessened by this convincing eight-point triumph.

The foundation had dried and set by half-time. Cork ahead 0-15 to 0-4. Unlike Newry, no double-digit advantage would be lost here.

Louth, decimated by injuries and featuring only seven of the team that began last June’s preliminary quarter-final victory over Cork, were eaten alive on their own kick-out.

Losing their opening three restarts of the second period contributed to an unanswered Cork 1-2. The difference between the teams now 15 points, 1-18 to 0-6.

Colm O’Callaghan, outstanding under that Louth kick-out in the opening half, was at the end of two of those plays to deliver a crucial 1-1.

Brian Hurley in action against Sam Mulroy and Daire Nally of Louth. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

A Ciaran Downey orange flag and two more of the same colour from Sam Mulroy brought Louth back within eight heading for the hour mark, 1-19 to 0-14, but no closer would they come. Mulroy, in what was an exhibition of long-range kicking, finished with five two-pointers, all bar one of them from play.

Ger Brennan’s side now sit one place above the drop zone. Victory over Meath is a must to preserve their second-tier status.

Cork’s lead, as mentioned, was 11-strong at the short whistle. The sources of such were obvious.

The hosts, while strong on their own restart, were devouring the opposition kick-out. We counted Cork winning nine of Louth’s 15 first-half restarts.

Colm O’Callaghan rose highest to claim three of them. The last of those ended with his midfield partner, Ian Maguire, winning a free that Brian Hurley converted.

Rory Maguire, in the play previous, broke a Niall McDonnell kick-out to a teammate and then continued forward himself to be at the end of the move for a white flag.

Cork mined another four points from a pair of Louth missteps with regard to the new rules. On 20 minutes, there was a breach of the tweaked four-back enhancement. Mark Cronin took that back outside the arc for two points.

Eight minutes later, Tommy Durnin refused to hand the ball back after the Cork player was fouled. Cronin again nailed the two-point free. The Nemo sharpshooter also chipped in with a point from play and mark to leave his half-time tally at 0-6.

Brian O’Driscoll, as is now his weekly habit, sallied forward for a pair of orange flags. The opening of those arrived inside the opening two points. It came part of a smart Cork start. Cleary’s men were four in front by the 10th minute. They should have been five clear two minutes later, a Chris Óg Jones one-pointer incorrectly ruled wide.

A Sam Mulroy two-point free on 13 minutes represented the visitors’ opener. They managed only two more points across the remainder of the half and didn’t add to their tally beyond Andy McDonnell’s 22nd minute point.

Two minutes further on, Tom Jackson’s goal drive was blocked by Seán Brady. The play ended with Cronin pointing at the other end.

In what has been a spring of steep learning for Brady and fellow corner-back newcomer, Neil Lordan, both youngsters were assertive and aggressive throughout the opening half.

That trend continued into the second period. Brady blocked down Ciaran Downey, he then muscled out in front to win a Louth kick-pass.

The trend of Cork dominance continued too. Cathail O’Mahony came in off the bench to win a converted free and kick two himself. One of nine Cork scorers. The sole concern was an injury to the ever-direct Ian Maguire late on.

A most timely performance and two points. Backed into a corner, Cork, not for the first spring, found a route out.

Scorers for Cork: M Cronin (0-8, 2 tp frees, 0-1 free, 0-1 mark); B O’Driscoll (0-4, 2 tp); C O’Callaghan (1-1); C Óg Jones (0-3); R Maguire, C O’Mahony (0-2 each); M Taylor, B Hurley (free), I Maguire (0-1 each).

Scorers for Louth: S Mulroy (0-11, 4 tp, 1 tp free, 0-1 free); C Downey (tp), A McDonnell (0-2 each); D McKeown, C Brannigan, S Reynolds (0-1 each).

CORK: MA Martin; N Lordan, D O’Mahony, S Brady; M Taylor, R Maguire, B O’Driscoll; I Maguire, C O’Callaghan; P Walsh, E McSweeney, S McDonnell; M Cronin, B Hurley, C Óg Jones.

SUBS: S Walsh for O’Callaghan (temporary, 1-4 mins); R Deane for McDonnell (43); C O’Mahony for Hurley (53); C Cahalane for E McSweeney (58); S Walsh for I Maguire (65, inj), H O’Connor for Cronin (65).

LOUTH: N McDonnell; D McKenny, D Campbell, D Nally; L Gray, P Lynch, C McKeever; T Durnin, P Matthews; D McDonnell, S Mulroy, A McDonnell; T Jackson, S Reynolds, R Burns.

SUBS: C Downey for Reynolds, E Carolan for Gray (both HT); D McKeown for Jackson (42); F Malone for D McDonnell (45); C Brannigan for Burns (64).

REFEREE: T Murphy (Galway).