Cork county football team produced one of their finest championship fightbacks in recent years to defeat Meath county football team 0-30 to 1-24 in a dramatic All-Ireland SFC Round 1 clash at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Trailing by eight points at half-time and later reduced to 14 men following Colm O’Callaghan’s controversial red card, Cork showed immense character and resilience to turn the contest around in front of a raucous home crowd.

Meath looked in complete control during the opening half. James Conlon and Eoghan Frayne caused major problems with their long-range shooting, while Ciarán Caulfield’s goal helped the Royals build a commanding 1-16 to 0-11 interval lead. Cork struggled around kick-outs and were fortunate not to concede a second goal before the break.

The Rebels emerged transformed after half-time. Steven Sherlock delivered a sensational display, finishing with 0-14, including four two-pointers, as Cork began to dominate. Mark Cronin and David Buckley also made huge contributions as the gap quickly disappeared.

Sherlock’s pair of superb two-pointers completed the turnaround midway through the second half and Cork somehow found another level after O’Callaghan’s dismissal. Tommy Walsh, Ian Maguire and Daniel O’Mahony inspired a fierce defensive effort while Sherlock continued to punish Meath from distance.

A late two-pointer from Sherlock lifted the roof off Páirc Uí Rinn before substitute Conor Corbett sealed a memorable victory with the final score.

Scorers for Cork: S Sherlock 0-14 (0-5 f, 3 2pt, 1 2pt f, 0-1 45), M Cronin 0-5 (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), D Buckley 0-3 (1 2pt), C O’Callaghan 0-2, M Shanley, P Walsh, I Maguire, D O’Mahony, C Corbett, C Óg Jones 0-1 each.

Meath: J Conlon 0-7 (1 2pt), E Frayne (2 2pt, 0-1 f), R Kinsella (1 2pt) 0-5 each, S Brennan 0-4 (2 2pt f), C Caulfield 1-0, J Morris 0-2, M Costello 0-1.

CORK: P Doyle; S Meehan, M Shanley, D O’Mahony; B O’Driscoll, T Walsh, L Fahy; C O’Callaghan, I Maguire (c); P Walsh, S McDonnell, D Buckley; M Cronin, C Óg Jones, S Sherlock. Subs: R Deane for S McDonnell (53), S Walsh for D Buckley, R Maguire for L Fahy (both 57), C Corbett for P Walsh (61).

MEATH: S Brennan; D Keogan, S Rafferty, S Lavin; R Ryan, S Coffey, C Caulfield; C McBride, B Menton; C O’Connor, J Morris, R Kinsella; M Costello, E Frayne (c), J Conlon. Subs: J Flynn for B Menton (44), J O’Connor for R Kinsella (50- 53, temp), J O’Connor for C O’Connor (54), C Hickey for E Frayne (57), A Lynch for J Conlon (65).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).