“Cork held onto their Division Two standing after an impressive end to their match against Meath, scoring the concluding seven points at Páirc Tailteann. Despite the fact that Meath held a three-point lead following Mathew Costello scoring a goal at 54 minutes, the Rebels managed to outdo the Royals with a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-1 for the final part of the game.
A further breakdown of the match and an in-depth report are set to follow…
The first quarter (0-15 mins) was a low scoring start, with the decisive fifth-minute goal from Conor Corbett marking the difference between the teams. A sideline from Cork’s Matty Taylor highlighted Brian O’Driscoll as the Meath defense was noticeably loose. O’Driscoll passed the ball to Corbett who lined it up and shot it past Seán Brennan. Meath’s only successful attempt was executed by Eoghan Frayne, who managed a close-range free kick. The score at the end of this period was Cork 1-0, Meath 0-1.
In the second quarter (16mins-half-time), Cork continued to exploit the Meath defence yet couldn’t produce a second goal. The closest they got was an attempt from Brian Hurley which was skilfully thwarted by Donal Keogan. Despite a number of passes gone awry from both teams, the Rebels extended their lead to 1-4 to 0-3 by the 26th minute mark. Nevertheless, the Royals bounced back scoring four points in the final run up to half-time, with Frayne responsible for two admirable efforts. This meant that the teams were even when they entered the half-time break.
Upon recommencing the game for the third quarter (half-time-50mins), it was the Rebels who grasped control. Conor Corbett replicated his earlier efforts scoring the first two points of this half. Meath tried their best to respond with a free shot by Mathew Costello and a third successful 45 from Seán Brennan. A fine score from Seán Powter handed the advantage back to Cork at the 50-minute marker with the score sitting at Cork 1-7, Meath 0-9.
The Fourth quarter (51 mins – the end)” will be analysed in the detailed report to follow.
Mathew Costello showcased remarkable talent in the air scoring 1-1 during a dramatic two-minute period, his skilfully executed goal in the 54th minute provided Meath with a lead of 1-10 to 1-7. Nevertheless, this significant occasion seemed only to awaken Cork. Steven Sherlock and Ruairi Kinsella traded points, though Cork subsequently gained complete authority and succeeded in achieving seven points without reciprocation – which included two points each from Sherlock and Luke Fahy. Cork won with a score of 1-15 to 1-11.
CORK TEAM: Featured Christopher Kelly; Kevin Flahive, Daniel O’Mahony, and Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy scored 0-2, Seán Meehan, Matty Taylor scored 0-1; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Seán Powter scored 0-1, Paul Walsh, and Brian O’Driscoll scored 0-1; Chris Óg Jones scored 0-1, Conor Corbett scored 1-3, Brian Hurley scored 0-2. Substitutes included Ruairí Deane for Walsh (44 mins); Steven Sherlock scored 0-3, one free for Hurley (48 mins); Mark Cronin scored 0-1 for Jones (55 mins); Killian O’Hanlon for O’Driscoll (55 mins); Eoghan McSweeney for Deane (65 mins).
MEATH TEAM: Sean Brennan scored 0-3, three 45s; Donal Keogan, Adam O’Neill, Brian O’Halloran; Ciarán Caufield, Darragh Campion, Seán Coffey; Cian McBride, Daithí McGowan; Cathal Hickey, Mathew Costello scored 1-2, one free, Jack O’Connor; Ruairí Kinsella scored 0-2, Shane Walsh scored 0-1, Eoghan Frayne scored 0-3, one free. Subs included Michael Murphy for Campion (27 mins); Danny Dixon for O’Connor (50 mins); Adam Mac Donaill for Kinsella (56 mins); Diarmuid Moriarty for McBride (70 mins); Harry O’Higgins for Caufield (72 mins).
REFEREE: The game was refereed by Thomas Murphy from Galway.