A BREAKOUT season continues for Bantry Blues’ Dara Sheedy, and the next chapter brings him to Croke Park for the very first time.

The 20-year-old has already ticked off major milestones in 2026, making his senior debut for Cork and quickly establishing himself as a key figure in their Division 2 campaign. Now, with a league final against Meath on the horizon this Sunday (1.45pm), another landmark moment awaits.

‘It will be my first time playing in Croke Park,’ Sheedy told The Southern Star.

‘I can’t wait to get going and play up there. It will be an unbelievable experience so I’m really looking forward to it.’

Sheedy has wasted little time making an impression at this level. His standout display against Sunday’s opponents Meath in February – when he scored 0-4 from play in a 1-23 to 1-21 win at Páirc Uí Rinn – announced his arrival on the national stage.

Since then, he has started Cork’s last five league games, adding pace, creativity and directness to the Rebels’ attack. Still early in his inter-county career, Sheedy has benefited from the guidance of established forwards like Brian Hurley, Steven Sherlock and Chris Óg Jones.

‘The lads have been great since I came in. They showed me the ropes very fast and have looked after me very well. They have made it very easy for me,’ Sheedy said.

‘It is a privilege to come in and play with them. Steven and Brian are a massive help, always. Everything you ever want, they would show you no bother. Very easy to work with.’

Sheedy isn’t the only Cork forward relishing a big day in headquarters. Mallow’s Seán McDonnell is preparing for just his second appearance at Croke Park, having featured against Dublin last year.

‘My only game in Croke Park was last year against Dublin and unfortunately we lost (1-19 to 1-16),’ McDonnell said.

‘When you are a young fella, what you dream of is playing in Croke Park. Going to a league final, you want to go up there and win it.

‘We’re going to prepare this week the same way we would for every game this year and just go and enjoy it. We’ve earned that chance to go and enjoy it and show what we can do on the biggest stage.’

While promotion back to Division 1 was the primary objective at the outset of the campaign, this final offers Cork an opportunity to underline their progress – and send out a statement ahead of next season.

It also marks a rare trip to GAA HQ for the Rebels. This will be only Cork’s third outing at Croke Park since 2023, with previous visits ending in defeats to Derry and Dublin. In fact, the last time a Cork senior football team recorded a win at the venue was back in the 2015 Division 1 semi-final against Donegal.

Manager John Cleary is well aware of the challenge that awaits, particularly against a Meath side that reached last year’s All-Ireland semi-finals.

‘Meath came down to us a couple of weeks ago. An excellent team and they showed that all season,’ Cleary said.

‘We’re delighted to be heading to Division 1 and playing in Croke Park, playing Meath as a bonus. We’ll get settled down and we’ll get going for this weekend.’

Confidence is high in the Cork camp after a strong league showing that yielded six wins from seven games. That consistency has not always been associated with Cork teams in recent seasons, making this run all the more significant.

Cleary believes the growing belief within the group has been key.

‘Being involved in Cork football sometimes can be a lonely place. When you lose a game or two, there’s a lot of critics that can come out and you can be an easy target at times,’ he said.

‘What gives me great satisfaction is the lads there, the work they put in. Coming to training every night, they’re very down to earth, an unassuming group.

‘What we were trying to do was build confidence into them that they are a very good group. Until you get a bit of success, they don’t believe that, but they might start to believe it now.’

That growing belief was evident in Cork’s promotion-clinching victory away to Tyrone, when they travelled to face the 2021 All-Ireland champions and delivered a composed, disciplined performance.

For the first time in this league campaign, Cork outscored their opponents in the second half – a significant step forward in a season where closing out games had previously been an issue.

‘It was a full performance,’ McDonnell said.

‘The second half was there. There was Brian Hurley’s two-pointer – I know it bounced over – but we held on to the ball for two and a half or three minutes and got something at the end of it.

‘Everyone was playing for each other. There wasn’t one man out there being selfish or taking silly shots. It was all about the next man. Running, working hard, supporting each other.

‘As soon as you got turned over, it was “get back, help each other out”. From the full-forward line all the way back to the full-back line. Dan O’Mahony got a turnover late on, that sums it up. It’s an unbelievable squad. No one is out there for themselves. We’re all for each other.’

That collective spirit has been a defining feature of Cork’s campaign, and one they will look to lean on again as they chase silverware this weekend.

For Sheedy, it’s another step in what is shaping up to be a remarkable first season at senior inter-county level. From debutant to key contributor, and now preparing to run out in Croke Park, the Bantry man’s rise shows no sign of slowing.

The challenge now is to finish the job, and cap a breakthrough year with a Division 2 title.