Huge game for Cork footballers this Sunday

While 3 of our 4 senior inter-county teams in healthy positions in their respective leagues, the same cannot be said of our footballers who face a must-win game against Louth on Sunday.

The senior hurlers who are currently on their warm weather training camp in Portugal are on the cusp of making the league final.

The camogie team are 3 from 3 in their league and one more win will put them into the final.

The ladies footballers with two games to play at home to Clare and away to Donegal, are also well positioned for promotion back to division 1 and a league final place. In fact, if they beat Clare next time out they will have achieved both objectives.

Allianz NFL Division 2

Cork v Louth on Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 2pm

Not for the 1st time in the last few years in Division 2, Cork find themselves in a precarious position on two counts: relegation and avoiding the Tailteann Cup. On the back of heavy defeats away to Monaghan and at home to Roscommon, this is a must-win game if they are to avoid both.

“We were not at the races in the 2nd half and it was very disappointing to be honest,” manager John Cleary said in the aftermath of the loss to Roscommon.

Scoring 13 points is just not good enough at this level that and the concession of goals has been their undoing in recent games, while failure to convert a few goal chances has not helped either.

It is well documented that they are missing key players particularly in defence, but that’s the hand you are dealt and it’s very much a case of getting on with it.

Sunday’s opponents Louth have proved a handful for Cork in recent years knocking John Cleary’s side out of the championship last year while winning the last 2 league meetings although they were at home.

Cork did record wins in the championship two years ago and the last time they met on Leeside, the home side triumphed.

That said Ger Brennan has moulded together a very efficient side and for long periods in the 2nd half of their last game they tested Monaghan, and like Cork on 4 points, they are well aware of the significance of this game.

Sam Mulroy is without doubt their main man, 1-12 in that loss to Monaghan, a prolific scorer and an all round top class player and Cork will definitely need to curtail him as when he fails to function the Wee County men struggle, but that is easier said than done.

Dermot Campbell, Liam Jackson, Conor Grimes, Ryan Burns and Leonard Grey are others who have impressed for Louth in recent outings.

Cork who have just returned from a training camp in Portugal, and it was an excellent few days I understand; they need big displays from their key players and if ever leadership was needed, it is now.

There is enough experience within the squad to get the win required.

Matty Taylor, Daniel O’Mahoney, Rory Maguire, Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan, Brian O’Driscoll and if fit Brian Hurley have been down this road before, too often it must be said, and they will not be found wanting.

Who else will make up the starting 15? Patrick Doyle, Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, possibly Sean Powter and will Conor Cahalane get his first start since joining the panel?

Whatever 15 is named will need huge improvement on their last displays; get that and put the shackles on Mulroy and they might just edge this one ahead of a tricky trip to Cavan a week later.

The other games in the division will also have a bearing on who goes where, and come Sunday Cork will know a bit more where they stand as the two teams below them - Down on 2 points and Westmeath (pointless) meet on Saturday night.

This game will also see a slight change to the rules, again, following an online Central Council meeting on Monday night that approved the changes recommended by the Football Review Committee (FRC).

The major change is the 3 v 3 that caused huge debate; now teams must have 4 in defence at all times, and when the goalkeeper does advance, the attacking team must bring another player back.

The clock/hooter remains but now when it sounds, the ball must go dead before the game concludes. There are also a few minor adjustments that I’m sure all coaches will have worked on ahead on these crucial 2 remaining rounds as the championship begins in a few weeks time.

For now though, all eyes are on Cork v Louth on Sunday and the match is live on C103.

Hurlers win in Ennis

The win and more importantly the manner of it was very welcome for a couple of reasons. It’s been a while since we beat Clare in Ennis - 2009 was the last time - and it also keeps control more or less of our own destiny in the league.

Of course when we return there on Easter Sunday for the opening game in the Munster Championship, expect the home side to be a much different team, maybe not in terms of personnel but they like know how important it is to win home games.

Pat Ryan knows that as well but it’s better to be heading back there having finally won at the venue then trying to do it next time out. Cork were impressive and the way the Clare defence was carved open will have pleased everyone.

In relation to injuries, the manager indicated that a few more, notably Mark Coleman, Alan Connolly and Ciarán Joyce among them could be ready for the Galway game in 2 weeks time.

It will be interesting to see whether Cork appeal the dismissal of Cormac O’Brien which in the view of many was harsh, especially when you see other more blatant head high tackles being ignored.

Clare and Wexford are almost certainly relegated, Tipperary look to have one foot in the final while the meeting of Kilkenny and Limerick on Saturday will put a more definitive look to the table ahead of the last round of games, which are Limerick v Wexford and Galway v Clare.

Cork and Galway and all other games are on at 7.30pm on Saturday week and you can be certain there will be another huge crowd in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Camogie

After a slow start, Cork eventually proved too strong for Kilkenny who without a win in 3 games are in danger of relegation. They have to play Waterford and Dublin and might not win either on the evidence of last Saturday.

Cork will be pleased with the win and with a trip to The Ragg and a meeting with Tipperary on Saturday week, they could well secure their place in the league final before they play Galway at home in their final game.

A number of players are returning from injury and that all helps develop the depth in the squad with the Munster and All-Ireland championships to come.

Of course they haven’t won the league in a while and that is something they will try and rectify in the coming weeks.

The one downside is the season-ending injury to Izzy O’Reagan who was excellent all last year - we wish her a speedy recovery.

The minors had a good win over Dublin last weekend and head to Kilkenny on Sunday where another win would almost certainly guarantee them a semi-final spot. It’s a 2pm start in MW Hire Dunmore.

Ladies football

The league takes a break this weekend with the focus on the third level championships in Belfast.

MTU play Dundalk IT on Friday in the Lynch Cup semi-final at 11pm, while in the main championship, the O’Connor Cup, UCC play University of Galway at 1pm. A number of Cork players are involved with both teams so Joe Carroll will be keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Sympathy

Once again sport was put into perspective with the sad passing of Darragh McCarthy, a fine up and coming hurler. He won an under 21 county medal with Midleton last year and only last week was a key player as MTU were crowned All-Ireland Junior Hurling champions.

Sincere sympathy to his family, friends and playing colleagues in Midleton and MTU GAA clubs, may he rest in peace.