Defeat for footballers on the road
IT’S now two defeats from the opening two games in the Allianz Division 2 football league for Cork after a deserved defeat to Louth at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee on Sunday afternoon.
Report from Barry O’Mahony, Echolive.ie
The stakes were very high for John Cleary’s side after an 11-point defeat away to Donegal on the opening weekend, but in the end, they didn’t have the answers to break down a tough Louth outfit.
This was never going to be an easy outing, Louth were desperately unlucky to lose by a point away to Armagh first day out, and also Cork lost at this particular venue last year. Two goals from the Wee County in the space of two minutes in the first half proved crucial in this one.
The Rebels, wearing their away kit, were aided by the strong wind in the opening 35 minutes, and kicked the first point after a minute from a Brian Hurley free. Louth were level two minutes later when their marksman Sam Mulroy landed a difficult free against the wind.
Cork created an excellent goal-scoring opportunity six minutes in, but Hurley was unable to convert and then seconds later the Castlehaven player received a black card, Cork down to 14 players for 10 minutes. The sides traded white flags in what was a lively opening.
Cork manager John Cleary reacts during the Allianz Division 2 football league match at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Louth thought they had a goal after ten minutes but Paul Matthews was in the square when the ball dropped to him and he finished with aplomb, but it was a great call from the umpires. Hurley came back in with the away side ahead 0-5 to 0-3 after 16 minutes, with goalkeeper Patrick Doyle’s 45 the pick of the scores.
Cork were in the ascendancy as they led 0-7 to 0-4 with 13 minutes to the break before the Wee County scored two goals in the space of two minutes from Ciarán Downey and Ciarán Keenan. Very soft goals to give away from a Cork point of view.
John Cleary’s side did respond well as they kicked the last two points of the half to trail 2-4 to 0-9 at the interval.
Louth now had the aid of a strong wind in the second half, but it was Cork who had most of the possession early on which yielded a fine point from Colm O’Callaghan to draw parity. It was a tight and cagey opening to the new half. The second score arrived after 46 minutes when Craig Lennon nudged his team in front.
Cork’s Luke Fahy on the move action against Conor Grimes of Louth during the Allianz Division 2 football league match at DEFY Páirc Mhuire in Ardee. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
A Hurley free tied up matters once more before a beauty from Eoghan McSweeney nudged the Rebels ahead with 19 minutes remaining, 0-12 to 2-5. Downey had a chance to get his second goal, but Cork netminder Doyle made a fine stop to deny the forward. The sides exchanged points as the Leesiders held a slender one-point advantage after 55 minutes.
Another Lennon effort levelled up the encounter, until Ryan Burns bisected the posts to give the home team the lead before a Mulroy free gave Louth a two-point buffer after 69 minutes. Cork threw the kitchen sink at Louth in injury-time, but to no avail. Two defeats from the first two league games.
The Rebels now have a two-week gap to the third league fixture, the first one at home this season, when Cavan come to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 17 with throw-in at 4pm.
Scorers for Louth: S Mulroy 0-5 (0-4 f, 0-1 45), C Downey, C Keenan 1-0 each, C Lennon 0-2, P Matthews, R Burns 0-1 each.
Cork: B Hurley 0-4 (0-3 f), C Óg Jones, E McSweeney 0-2 each, P Doyle (45), T Walsh, C O’Callaghan, M Cronin (f), I Maguire 0-1 each.
LOUTH: N McDonnell; D McKenny, D Campbell, P Lynch; C Lennon, A Williams, C Murphy; C Early, T Durnin; P Matthews, C Keenan, C Grimes; R Burns, S Mulroy (c), C Downey.
Subs: C McCaul for P Matthews (50), L Grey D Campbell, for C McKeever for C Murphy (both 58), D McKeown for R Burns (62), W Campbell for C Keenan (65).
CORK: P Doyle (Knocknagree); M Shanley (Clonakilty), S Meehan (Kiskeam), T Walsh (Kanturk); L Fahy (Ballincollig), D O’Mahony (Knocknagree), M Taylor (Mallow); I Maguire (St Finbarr’s), C O’Callaghan (Éire Óg); E McSweeney (Knocknagree), M Cronin (Nemo Rangers), B O’Driscoll (Tadhg MacCarthaigh); R Deane (Bantry Blues), B Hurley (Castlehaven, c), C Óg Jones (Iveleary).
Subs: D Cashman (Millstreet) for L Fahy (h-t), S Sherlock (St Finbarr’s) for B Hurley, R Maguire (Castlehaven) for S Meehan (both 55), D Buckley (Newcestown) for R Deane (58), B Murphy (St Vincent’s) for Chris Óg Jones (69).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).
