INSTEAD of looking over their shoulder, Cork are now looking forward – with a possible Division 1 final appearance emerging as the new target.

Back in the top tier this season after a brief visit to Division 2 in 2025, manager Joe Carroll set out with a clear objective for the league: avoid relegation. Four rounds in, unbeaten Cork sit top of the table.

Suddenly, the Rebels are in contention to qualify for the league decider.

‘It was our big target to make sure that we didn't get drawn into a relegation battle,’ Carroll told The Southern Star.

‘When you look at it, Kildare could have possibly beaten us in the first round. We had a bit of luck, drew that game and they are now in a relegation battle.

‘We are delighted to be where we are and hopefully we might push on to the next target, which would be to get to a final. Even if we don’t, our target for the league has been met.’

Next up for Carroll’s side is a home tie at Páirc Uí Rinn this Saturday night (7.35pm, live on TG4) against Waterford, who sit just one point behind Cork and are also chasing a place in the final.

The Déise had led the table before last weekend, winning their opening three games, but suffered a setback at home to Meath in Dungarvan. Carroll is expecting a response.

‘They beat us comprehensively in Dungarvan last year. I felt at the start of the year that they were possibly the team to beat,’ he said.

‘I have worked with a lot of their players with University College Cork, and they're exceptionally good players. There will be a reaction from them at the weekend. It's going to take a very good display from us to beat them on Saturday night.’

With three successive wins, Cork have put themselves in a position where a fourth victory on the bounce would move them a significant step closer to a league final. Carroll, however, is not getting carried away.

‘We have to play Waterford, Meath and Dublin, and they are all hard games – maybe Dublin will be in a position in that last game where they need to win to avoid relegation,’ he noted.

‘We are hoping that we might get another win or two that will put us in contention to reach a league final.’

The latest result – a double-score victory away to Kerry, 0-16 to 0-8 – offered further evidence that Cork are moving in the right direction, with confidence visibly growing within the squad.

‘You can see it coming into training every night. It's a totally different atmosphere when you're winning games,’ Carroll said.

‘We were winning games last year as well but we were playing Division 2 teams – you were on a winner to nothing because if you didn't win by 10 or 15 points, people were saying you didn't play well.

‘But when you win a Division 1 game, that's what builds confidence because these are extremely competitive. I kept saying that all the time last year but maybe people are hopefully taking a bit of notice of it now.

‘The players realise they're playing at a higher level, but that they're capable of performing at this level, at this pace and with this intensity.’

The good news continues, with experienced stalwart Máire O’Callaghan in line to make her first appearance of the year against Waterford.

‘Máire is in full contention for the weekend now. She's back and has got a good bit of training done,’ Carroll added, as Cork continue to look ahead rather than behind them.