'We were ready this time' - John Cleary delighted as Cork earn promotion

Cork's three-point victory over Tyrone, their sixth win of the league, saw them promoted back to Division 1 for the first time in a decade.

John Cleary: “Being involved in Cork football sometimes can be a lonely place. When you lose a game or two, a lot of the critics can come out and you can be an easy target at times." Pic Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

John Cleary believes his group were not as prepared to go up to Division 1 in previous years.

But on this occasion there was no question about their readiness as they claimed six wins out of seven to end 10 years outside the top eight.

“Relief is the word, really,” said Cleary. “But satisfaction as well. Because there was an awful lot of hard work that's been put in there in the last three years.

“And maybe we weren't ready. And I think we were ready this time. And it would have been a big blow to us if we hadn't come out with a victory here today. Because it would have been back to square one, really.” 

Cleary senses his Cork team now realise how good they are following some difficult seasons.

“The big thing where I've been successful is putting a very good backroom team together. You know, Kevin Walsh, Kevin Murray, our stats team. We try to improve it every year. And they've stuck with these lads. And they know these lads.

“Being involved in Cork football sometimes can be a lonely place. When you lose a game or two, a lot of the critics can come out and you can be an easy target at times.

“But what gives me great satisfaction is the lads there. The work they put in, come to training every night. And they're a very down-to-earth and unassuming group.

“What we were trying to do was build confidence into them that they are a very good group. And until you get a bit of success, maybe they don't believe that. But maybe they might start to believe it now.” 

Cleary emphasised the significance of emerging from a brutally tough Division 2. 

“It was a very, very difficult league to get out of. Like we had two last year’s All-Ireland semi-finalists (Meath and Tyrone). We had the league winners, Division 1 from two years ago (Derry). We had the Leinster champions (Louth).

“Even when the draw was made, we had two trips up the north, a trip to Louth, a trip to Offaly. So, it was going to be very difficult. And, you know, when there's a bit of luck going, I think we deserved it. And we're absolutely thrilled now to get promotion.” 

Cleary had no interest in other results when Cork’s fate was in their own hands in Omagh or contemplating the perks that go with returning to Division 1.

“The only thing we were thinking about today was winning this match. We couldn't be thinking about all these things. Because it would do your head in. Or even other results. I don't even know how they went.

“There was talk that we should be keeping an eye on that. I said ‘no’. And it was like against Kildare last week. We had tunnel vision on what was in front of us.” 

As for the Division 2 final against Meath in Croke Park next Sunday, it’s “a bonus”, according to the Castlehaven man.