Cork footballers bid to get back to winning ways v Westmeath

After a relatively quiet weekend, the Allianz National Football League resumes while the hurlers have another break before they return to action on Saturday week.

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Cork v Westmeath on Saturday at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 5pm

“It was a game we could and probably should have won and (I’m) frustrated that we didn’t win,” said Cork manager John Cleary after the 1 point loss to Down last time out.

It’s hard to disagree with that comment given that at one stage Cork led by 10 points and with 64 minutes on the clock they were still 5 ahead.

That said, is a 10 point lead enough now under the new rules? Certainly not as with the 2 pointers on offer leads can change quickly as Cork found out.

In fact of Cork’s 1-11 at half-time, 5 of them were 2 pointers, a total of 0-10.

Interestingly in the 2nd half, goalkeeper Patrick Doyle kicked a point from outside the arc, but because a Down player got a touch on it, it only registered as 1 point instead of 2.

Then with the last kick of the game Brian O’Driscoll had a 2 point free to win the game, but just at the last second, he lost his footing and the ball drifted wide - small margins.

Overall though John was happy with the performance. We “played very well for most of the game, took some nice scores, but a few small errors cost us and I thought the last free, (which led to the goal) was very harsh.”

Cork were in an attacking position at the time. “We were and I could not see what Paul (Walsh) was punished for and in a flash it was a goal at the other end and gave Down a huge lift.”

All this while adjusting to the new rules. “We are like everyone else, even the referees but look they are good for the game and making it a better spectacle as we saw there again today.”

In fact there was a bit of confusion when just after Cork’s 2nd goal they were awarded a free, even before the kick out was taken. Mark Cronin who kicked 2 brilliant 2 pointers in the 1st half, was told because “it was not a foul covered under the new rules,” he could not bring it out and instead settled for 1 point - again small margins.

The win would have put Cork in a good position heading into Saturday’s game. “The road home is a bit longer now but it is what it is. We will review the game, dust ourselves down and prepare for Westmeath next.”

As he spoke, Westmeath’s game with Roscommon was still on - they eventually suffered their 2nd defeat of the league. “I said from the start there are no easy games in this division and Westmeath will test us but we’re at home and that will be a help, our aim is to get into Division 1 and for that you must win your home games.”

Injuries have disrupted Cork’s, and most county's preparation for the league, but there is a possibility that Brian Hurley, Ruairí Deane and Ian Maguire might feature on Saturday but Sean Powter is a doubt after coming off before half-time in Newry.

“The 3 lads trained over the weekend and went okay but we just need to be sure they are good to go see how they react, Sean picked up a slight hamstring and might not make it.”

Conor Cahalane’s inclusion on the panel is a boost, he played against Limerick in a challenge game last weekend, his form with Castlehaven in their recent run of success has been excellent and is a huge addition. He is likely to see game time on Saturday.

The composition of the starting 15 will be interesting and of course dependent on availability of injured players.

Patrick Doyle will probably start in goal, while Matty Taylor, Daniel O’Mahony, Rory Maguire and Maurice Shanley will feature in defence.

Ian Maguire’s presence in midfield would be a huge boost and while Colm O’Callaghan and Sean Walsh have done well, the ‘Barr’s man ability to win possession from kick outs would be a help.

Brian O’Driscoll, Mark Cronin and Chris Óg Jones impressed in Newry and will look to repeat and better that particularly from play.

Westmeath have lost to Louth at home and away to Monaghan where they did score 2-21, so they do have a fairly lively attack.

Luke Loughlin, Brian Cooney, Sam McCartan, Brandon Kelly and Robbie Forde among the players that impressed in the loss to Monaghan.

It’s been a while since these two sides have actually met so there is no recent form against one another to go on.

Cork were annoyed at the manner of defeat last time out and if they are to keep their promotion ambitions on track this is a game they must win and I expect they will.

Full match commentary on C103.

Hurling

The big news from the hurling camp was the unfortunate injury picked up by Padraig Power in the Limerick game, which effectively ends his season. It’s even more disappointing given that his form was good and could have been on course for inclusion when the championship comes round.

It is also the 2nd year in a row that his season has been disrupted, let’s hope he makes a quick recovery - he deserves a bit of good luck.

Cork play Tipperary on Saturday week and with a few more on the injured list, the starting 15 will be watched with interest.

Not a great few days for both UCC and MTU as they exited the Fitzgibbon Cup at the semi-final stage.

Camogie

There is one game this weekend in the All-Ireland Minor A Championship; it’s Cork v Tipperary on Sunday in Castle Road at 2pm.

The underage teams enjoyed good success at provincial level in recent weeks and they will look to maintain that run in the All-Ireland series.

Reminder also that the senior team have their fundraiser on Saturday night in the Curaheen Park Greyhound Stadium, tickets are €10 and the players and O’Duffy Cup will be there on the night, children are free.

The Very National League gets underway on Saturday week when Cork play Waterford in Páirc Uí Rinn and best wishes to newly named captain Meabh Cahalane.