JOE Carroll knows the importance of picking up points on the road as he plots Cork’s path towards consolidating their Lidl NFL Division 1 status.

After two home games, the Rebels have four points on the board and sit fourth, but have games in hand on the three teams above them after their trip to Armagh last weekend was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

It’s an encouraging start to life back in Division 1, but with back-to-back away games against Armagh this Sunday and then Kerry, Carroll is keen to get as many points on the board as possible.

‘Our aim is to stay in Division 1 so we have made a reasonably good start,’ Carroll told The Southern Star.

‘It would be great to pick up a few away points because they can help take the pressure off you.

‘We have Armagh and Kerry away now, so any points we pick up from these games would be huge, because after that we have Waterford at home – they are flying right now, top of the table after winning all their games.

‘On top of that, we must go to Dublin and have Meath at home, so there are no easy games in this division. Any points we can pick up will be helpful.’

The next opportunity to boost Cork’s league position comes in Sunday’s long trip to Armagh, who bounced back from an opening-round loss to Waterford by beating Kildare in their last outing.

‘We know it’s going to be a difficult challenge up there, but that’s the test for our team: how will they react to playing a good team away from home?’ Carroll mused, though he’s happy with what he has seen from Cork in their opening two league games – drawing with Kildare (1-10 to 2-7) and beating Galway (1-10 to 2-5).

‘Our work-rate and resilience have been good – we were behind in both games but showed great composure to come back in both, to draw against Kildare and beat Galway. The application of the players has been excellent so far.’

Carroll almost has a full squad to pick from, and the return of experienced Máire O’Callaghan will give the Rebels a lift. The clash against Armagh may come too soon, but the Mourneabbey woman’s first appearance of the season isn’t too far away.

‘Máire hasn’t played yet, but she’s training away. It could be another week or so before she plays; we’re being careful not to rush players back in just in case they pick up injuries,’ Carroll noted.

O’Callaghan is one of the leaders in this Cork set-up, and her presence is important in a young squad. In the opening two games, Katie Quirke, Áine Terry O’Sullivan and Melissa Duggan have underlined the value of experience, so the return of O’Callaghan, as well as Shauna Kelly – who came off the bench against Galway – is an added boost.

An intriguing subplot to the league is the trialling of new rules, and Carroll can see the merit in some, feeling they can make a difference.

‘The solo and go is taking a bit of getting used to, but it will be very beneficial as the year progresses,’ the Cork boss said.

‘I don’t think the kick-out mark has made a great difference because most teams go short with the kick-out anyway.

‘The three-up is another big change, but most teams are coping well with it; we haven’t seen that many breaches so far. As the year goes on and the pitches get better, I think it will open up the play even more because there will be more kicking in the game.’

Right now Carroll’s plan is to maintain Cork’s unbeaten league run, and raiding the Orchard County would be just the boost these Rebels need before a trip across the county bounds to Kerry.