Meath v Cork: Three key battles to decide Croke Park showdown

Meath face Cork for the Division 2 title on Sunday, Éamonn Murphy looks at the critical match-ups as the traditional rivals collide again

Sat, 28 Mar, 2026 - 07:25

Eamonn Murphy

Jordan Morris v Daniel O'Mahony:

Meath play an explosive, expansive brand of football with a plethora of attacking threats, including two-point marksman Jack Flynn, yet Morris remains their go to up top.

The 25-year-old finished the Division 2 campaign with 3-29 and thrives in Croke Park, picking up Man of the Match in last year's All-Ireland quarter-final.

Cork full-back O'Mahony has developed into their primary man-marker, regularly asked to try and shackle David Clifford which earned him an All-Star nomination two years ago. The Knocknagree native faces a similarly thankless task this Sunday.

Morris clipped 0-4 when the sides met in Páirc Uí Rinn and if Cork will be delighted if they can hold him to a similar tally on the big stage. Especially when Meath's home games this spring were in Croker.

Cork star Ian Maguire: 'Consistency has given us a huge psychological lift'

Seán Rafferty v Chris Óg Jones:

The return of top-scorer Steven Sherlock, who has clipped 0-42 to date, along with U20 playmaker Dara Sheedy's emergence, has vastly improved Cork's front six.

However, Chris Óg Jones is their leading shooter from play, to the tune of 4-19, and fired 1-4 when the counties met last month on Leeside. The 28-year-old is a classy finisher but also extremely mobile.

Rafferty, an All-Star in 2025, was marked absent when Meath suffered their only defeat so far. His return strengthens their rearguard... the question is who he picks up in the rematch.

Meath's Sean Rafferty gets to the ball ahead of Kildare's Ben Loakman. Picture: INPHO/Grace Halton

If Robbie Brennan and his selectors feel Rafferty can curb Chris Óg's enthusiasm while tracking his runs, he'll be handed that brief.

Bryan Menton v Ian Maguire:

For all the young guns firing Meath back towards the promised land, the recruitment of experienced midfielder Menton after a two-year absence has been critical to their re-emergence.

Now in his mid-30s, Menton is still a powerful athlete and great fielder. His leadership is as essential as his ability to snare kick-outs.

A few years younger, Cork captain Ian Maguire has endured more than his share of setbacks in Rebel red but his importance to the cause was shown when he was suspended for the hammering up in Derry.

In the regular league meeting, Cork got on top early on restarts.

Under the new rules it's more a case of a middle-eight battle than a midfield contest.