Footballers must learn from Croker loss as Cork hurlers gear up for Limerick.
The Echo Sport PodcastShow Notes
It was a disappointing few days of missed opportunities between Ireland's penalty shootout loss in the World Cup playoff and the Cork footballers' narrow defeat in Croke Park.
You could make the case that Meath deserved their Division 2 success but John Cleary's side, like Ireland, were in a strong position to end their 16-year wait for national silverware. The Rebels haven't won at Croker since 2015 and when Chris Óg Jones hit the net early in the second half to build on a two-point half-time lead, they looked well set.
However, Meath hit eight unanswered points in a nightmare period where Cork lost eight out of their nine kick-outs and failed to score for 16 minutes. Questions will be answered about the Rebels' set-up on restarts and Patrick Doyle's deliveries. Meath had clearly learned their lessons from the Páirc Uí Rinn meeting.
There were positives though. Jones, notwithstanding a couple of missed goal chances in the first half, impressed as he bagged 1-3 while Steven Sherlock was sublime, nailing 0-9. Daniel O'Mahony was a powerhouse again.
The refereeing performance of Kerry man Brendan Griffin certainly didn't endear him to Cork fans, as he failed to award any frees to Cork inside the scoring zone for fouls. Sherlock's only placed ball came from dissent following a sideline.
The weakness of the new hooter rule was also exposed, with Meath able to foul with impunity in the last minute, though Cork were also guilty of failing to get a shot off coming down the stretch with they trailed by two points after a great Brian Hurley goal.
On the football front, the Echo Podcast crew also look at the weekend action in the local leagues.
The hurlers head to TUS Gaelic Grounds for a sell-out Division 1 league final on Easter Sunday. The holders arguably have a free shot given last year they ended a 27-year wait to lift that title but seeing as it's Limerick they're facing, no quarter will be given.
If there's any pressure, it's on Limerick who won't want a repeat of last year's Munster final loss on their own turf. John Kiely's side will be pumped to the last and look to test Cork's young hurlers like Barry Walsh and William Buckley as well as Ciarán Joyce's capability as a full-back.
We all know, of course, verything hinges on championship and Cork have a very difficult eight-day start where they face Tipp and Limerick.
The U20s got their campaign up and running away to Tipp and put up a fine display as underdogs though a red card ultimately cost them.
Now in its fourth season, every week Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, Jack McKay, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from The Echo Sport Podcast
The Echo Sport Podcast crew breaks down the Premier Senior and Premier Intermediate Hurling finals on this week's show, as well as previewing a busy Bank Holiday weekend as the Cork GAA season hits its thrilling conclusion. The big prizes on Sunday afternoon went to Glen Rovers and Ballincollig. Neither game fully caught fire but the Glen won't care after edging the first county final against the Barrs in 38 years thanks to a pair of Eoin O'Leary goals and a steady showing overall. O'Leary's haul of 2-2 took him to 5-13 for the season and surely on the radar of the Cork selectors. The Glen were just that bit better balanced than the Barrs, who did have a late shout for a penalty to force a draw, and it was a sweet victory after being relegated in 2023. It also atoned for county final losses in 2018, '19 and '20. Barrs were 0-12 to 0-10 up at the break having finished the first half well but O'Leary's opening goal turned the tide. Patrick Horgan finished with 0-3 from play but so too did midfielder Rhys Dunne. Ethan Twomey clipped a staggering 0-5 from play in the second half for the Barrs but it wasn't enough. Ballincollig were a point down at half-time against Dungourney after a slow start but took control in the second half to make up for losing the PIHC final 12 months ago to Ballinhassig. Adam Wills rifled the goal, his brother Stephen Willis picked up Man of the Match for his clinical shooting from play while Theo Morgan and Cian O'Driscoll nailed 0-3 apiece. In defence, James Dwyer, Ross O'Donovan, Barry Coleman and Fenton Denny were also immense. It's a blend of hurling and football next weekend, with the Premier Junior Hurling final on Friday night pairing St Catherine's and Kilshannig. On Sunday afternoon, there's a football double-header, Cobh versus Canovee at Premier Junior, followed by champions St Finbarr's against great rivals Nemo Rangers in a repeat of last year's Premier Senior decider. Now in its fourth season, every Monday, Éamonn Murphy is joined by The Echo team, including Barry O’Mahony, Denis Hurley, Rory Noonan, John Horgan and more to discuss all the latest Cork GAA news on and off the field. You can listen on Echolive.ie/podcast or anywhere you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to log onto www.IrishExaminer.com as well to catch up on their analysis including The Replay, the new highlights show anchored by Seanie McGrath, Dalo’s Hurling Show and The Gaelic Football Show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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