Cork 2-17

Meath 1-22

MATTHEW HURLEY REPORTS

JOHN Cleary feels Cork were hard done by in not receiving a 50-metre advancement for dissent that could have led to a late Rebels equaliser in the Division 2 final.

An entertaining contest in Croke Park was not without controversy.

With seconds remaining, and Cork attempting to mount one last attack to create a two-point opportunity, defender Maurice Shanley was fouled by Meath’s James Conlon inside the Cork 45 and was then delayed in taking the free.

The Meath player received a black card, but Cork were left to take the free from the same position. That ultimately resulted in the Rebels running out of time to find an equalising two-pointer.

Cork boss John Cleary was seen questioning referee Brendan Griffin about the call at full-time but did not receive a clear explanation.

‘I’ve said it previously that the play should play out. I thought we got a free and Maurice Shanley was tripped. To me, I thought that was a 50-metre penalty, but maybe I’m wrong. That was my reading of the rules,’ Cleary said.

‘It was the last kick of the game. He gave him a black card and yet the free was still there with 25 seconds left. That definitely is an advantage for the defending team. What else would you do then only keep fouling and keep fouling? That’s what’s going to happen in the championship. If you were a point up with 40 seconds left, you’re going to keep fouling.

‘Why weren’t we given 50 metres? I don’t know. I just asked the referee. He said that he hadn’t blown the whistle a second time.’

Julie and Gene O'Driscoll cheering Cork on. (Photo: George Hatchell)

There was also a crucial spell in the second half where Cork went scoreless for 15 minutes while Meath reeled off 0-8. The Rebels went from leading 1-16 to 1-13 to trailing 1-21 to 1-16, a decisive swing despite Brian Hurley’s late goal.

‘That’s a good Meath team and on another day we’d be going to extra-time or maybe winning it, but we didn’t,’ Cleary added.

‘We will take the learnings, big time. The league is over now and we just have to concentrate on the championship.’

Paul Walsh opened the scoring for the Rebels, but two Ruairí Kinsella two-pointers had Meath 0-4 to 0-1 ahead inside five minutes.

Chris Óg Jones, Colm O’Callaghan and Steven Sherlock helped Cork level at 0-5 apiece before six unanswered points pushed the Leesiders 0-11 to 0-8 in front after 25 minutes. That lead could have been greater, but a Jones goal chance drifted just wide following excellent work from Seán McDonnell.

Aaron Lynch and Jordan Morris responded for the Royals, but Walsh ensured Cork led 0-12 to 0-10 at the interval.

A Jones goal, created by Walsh, and a point from O’Callaghan moved Cork four clear early in the second half, but a Jack O’Connor major brought Meath firmly back into contention.

Sherlock and Cronin kept the scoreboard ticking for Cork, but the Leinster side’s purple patch proved decisive, with Conlon striking 0-4 from play.

Cork refused to yield and Hurley’s late goal offered hope, but time ultimately ran out.

Scorers

Cork: Steven Sherlock 0-9 (1f, 1 2pt); Chris Óg Jones 1-3; Brian Hurley 1-0; Paul Walsh, Colm O’Callaghan 0-2 each; Mark Cronin 0-1.

Meath: Ruairí Kinsella 0-5 (2 2pt); Jack O’Connor 1-2 (1 2pt); James Conlon 0-4; Jordan Morris (1f), Seán Brennan (1 45, 1 2ptf), Eoghan Frayne (f) 0-3 each; Aaron Lynch, Ciarán Caulfield 0-1 each.

Cork: Patrick Doyle (Knocknagree); Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty), Daniel O’Mahony (Knocknagree), Seán Meehan (Kiskeam); Brian O’Driscoll (Carrigaline), Tommy Walsh (Kanturk), Luke Fahy (Ballincollig); Colm O’Callaghan (Éire Óg), Ian Maguire (captain, St Finbarr’s); Paul Walsh (Kanturk), Mark Cronin (Nemo Rangers), Seán McDonnell (Mallow); Chris Óg Jones (Uibh Laoire), Dara Sheedy (Bantry Blues), Steven Sherlock (St Finbarr’s).

Subs: Brian Hurley (Castlehaven) for D Sheedy (43); Kevin O’Donovan (Nemo Rangers) for M Shanley (temp, 50-52); Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues) for S McDonnell (52); Seán Walsh (Mitchelstown) for M Cronin (55); Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) for L Fahy (57).

Meath: Seán Brennan; Seamus Lavin, Seán Rafferty, Brian O’Halloran; Donal Keogan, Seán Coffey, Ciarán Caulfield; Bryan Menton, Jack Flynn; Jack O’Connor, Ruairí Kinsella, Cian McBride; Jordan Morris, Eoghan Frayne (captain), Aaron Lynch.

Subs: Keith Curtis for E Frayne (temp, 5-8); James Conlon for A Lynch (42); Ronan Ryan for S Lavin (45); Cathal Hickey for C McBride (50); Killian Smyth for B O’Halloran (52); Oisín Martin for J O’Connor (60).

Referee: Brendan Griffin (Kerry).