PERFECT START

The last time Cork won their opening two national football league games was back in 2015 when we campaigned in Division 1. That’s 11 years ago. But here we are again: 100 percent after two rounds, top of the Division 2 table and a team that is gaining confidence. The opening win over Cavan (0-24 to 2-17) was a tight contest but the away victory (1-17 to 1-12) against Louth was far more convincing. The Rebels were nine points up going into added time and if it wasn’t for Louth’s two-pointer and a goal that was kicked all the way in from beyond the 40-metre arc, the score would have reflected the game better.

SHANLEY SHINES

This was a strong defensive effort to quell Louth, and leading the line was Clonakilty defender Maurice Shanley. His best performance in a Cork jersey? Maybe so. He won two crucial turnovers in the second half when Louth seemed to be gaining momentum and looked solid throughout. In general, the defensive shape worked with Shanley and Tommy Walsh flanking Daniel O’Mahony at full-back. Brian O’Driscoll did well as centre-back too and the biggest compliment you could give the defence was that it was a comfortable afternoon.

WIN ON THE ROAD

In Cork’s two previous trips to Louth for league games in Ardee, the Leesiders lost both times, as well as another game against the Wee County in Inniskeen in the championship. While there was another championship game that Cork won in Navan, there was the need for Cleary’s side to win a game in Louth. The switch from Ardee to Drogheda may have helped with the pitch looking much better than Ardee, but Cork still had to get the job done and they did. It was a crucial time to win there too, given that Meath, Derry and Tyrone are all to come later in the campaign.

ROOM FOR BOTH?

Last week we discussed the idea of Brian Hurley and Steven Sherlock not working in the same team despite how classy these two forwards are. But in the win over Louth, both started and both played well, showing they can work together. Hurley scored 0-2 and contributed to a further 1-3 while Sherlock hit 0-8, assisting a further point. Indeed, Hurley only had two shot attempts but was heavily involved in the Cork build-up play, including for Chris Og Jones’ goal. Both players inter-changed positions at times with Sherlock sometimes drifting to half-forward and Hurley did so too. The start of a partnership that can fire Cork forward? Let’s hope so.

TURNOVER IMPROVEMENT

Against Cavan, Cork conceded 1-10 from turnovers from open play and kick-outs. That figure went down to 1-8 against Louth, but 1-2 of that came in stoppage time when the result was never in doubt. What was a concern was out of Cork’s six own lost kick-outs, Louth got a score off every one of them. It’s something to work on for the game against Offaly on Sunday week, but also a sign of gradual improvement.

LORDING THE KICK-OUT

On their own restarts, Cork lost six but won 18 kick-outs. A 75 per cent retention rate is very impressive, especially under the new rules. They also scored 1-6 off their own kick-outs. For Jones’ goal, it took just 42 seconds from Daniel O’Mahony winning possession to the ball hitting the back of the net. That can be a platform for the Leesiders to move the ball fast. From the Louth kick-out, Cork won 40 per cent (10 from 25) and scored 0-4, including Brian Hurley’s two-pointer just before half-time. The Cork midfield of Sean Walsh and Colm O’Callaghan performed very well and will hope to continue that showing for the rest of the season.