John Cleary 'thrilled' as Cork pull off dramatic victory over Cavan

Cork trailed Cavan by seven points with 10 minutes to play but came back to win by one

Steven Sherlock scored a late winning two-pointer for Cork against Cavan. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Having been pipped at the post in the past, John Cleary was happy to be commenting upon a late comeback to pick Cavan’s pockets in their Division 2 opener.

Whereas Cork threw away a 10-point lead to lose to Down at this stage last year, they showed their spirit to wrestle victory from the jaws of defeat here.

“With 10 minutes to go, seven points down, it didn’t look like it was going to be our day,” said the Castlehaven native.

“We played in fits and starts. We thought we were getting good scores, but I was just afraid we were going to start panicking a little bit. A couple of wayward shots, but in fairness, the lads settled down.

“When the game was there for the taking, we drove at it and drove at it and got over the line. Other days, I think back to Down last year, we were in more or less the same position and we came out of it with a loss. So we’re thrilled with that.” 

Cleary felt those experiences steeled Cork down the home straight.

“This team is fairly mature. We’ve been on the road three, four, five years together. We’ve been in the position and maybe didn’t get over the line.

“In fairness to Dara Sheedy on his debut there, first day out and there was a lot of pressure out there for every ball. He was catching it and was getting on the end of it. He drove us on there, particularly when they got a bit tired.

“Then the other more experienced fellas, Ian Maguire, Steven Sherlock, and others, they came on and just got us over the line.”