Cork defeated Meath 2-19 to 0-21 in Division 2 last night.
JOHN CLEARY HAS grown accustomed to these opening round league experiences being dispiriting affairs.
Prior to last night, Cork had lost their previous four opening fixtures in Division 2, and on a wider level the county’s Round 1 record in the league since 2016 read one win from eight games.“The first time since I’ve been involved in the last four years that we’ve won the first game. So there’s relief in that. It puts you under pressure when you don’t win it, a bit of negativity comes in. It is a lot nicer feeling going home than the last three years.
Aside from getting the points on the board, Cork’s tally of 2-19 was eye-catching. A team often stuck in lateral passage of play, seized the chance to go more direct. The second half in particular saw Brian O’Driscoll and Mark Cronin thrive as their range of kick-passing opened up the Meath rearguard, allowing Chris Óg Jones to wreak havoc as he finished the game with 1-4 from play.
There were specific sources of irritation for Brennan in the second-half penalty he felt his team should have been awarded at a crucial juncture, and their failure to rattle the Cork net, in stark contrast to the three goals the county had bagged on their last trip to this venue, when they were rewarded with victory in January 2023.
Shifting from a highly successful club career in charge of Kilmacud Crokes, Brennan can appreciate the significance of parking this defeat as he takes on an inter-county role.
GAA John Cleary Meath Robbie Brennan Talking Points
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