Allianz FL D2: Second half goals help Meath defeat Cork

Allianz Football League Division 2

MEATH 3-14 CORK 0-19

By Stephen Barry at Pirc U Chaoimh

Colm ORourkes young Meath side got off to a winning start in the Allianz Football League, a two-goal burst midway through the second half enough to take the scalp of Cork.

Cork scored 7-40 in three pre-season games and they didnt struggle for points at Pirc U Chaoimh but they had no answer for Meaths eye for goal.

They led by two at half-time having played into the wind but Jordan Morris and Cillian OSullivans goals, added to by 1-7 from Shane Walsh, overwhelmed an exposed Cork defence.

They were over-reliant on Steven Sherlock for scores, as he finished with 0-14 in defeat.

The first half was a Sherlock shooting showcase. Setting aside a weak effort on goal when off balance, he kicked a perfect eight from eight, five frees, a 45, and two from play, as Cork built an 0-11 to 1-6 lead.

It was some opening test for Meaths full-back line, starting with two League debutants in James OHare and Michael Flood, before Adam ONeill made it three when he replaced his brother Daniel at half-time.

The man who never played minor or U20 for the Royals went straight in on Sherlock. A baptism of fire but he won a turnover and possession with his first two involvements to settle in.

Meath struggled at times to retain their kick-out against the Cork press but when they did, they were able to attack at pace. Their seventh-minute goal came from such a situation, Donal Keogan securing possession, Daith McGowan linking play, and Walsh beating his man on the inside before finishing with cool authority.

Sherlock levelled with his third point and Cork added the next three, from Mattie Taylor, Maurice Shanley, and Chris g Jones. Meaths first point made it 0-6 to 1-1, Mathew Costello doing the scoring.

The impressive Taylor almost had a goal in the 18th minute but for the instinctive fingertip reactions of Harry Hogan to push the shot around the post. Sherlock nailed the 45.

Meath kicked four of the next five points, from Walsh 0-2, OSullivan, and Costello to level the game a second time.

Cork finished the half stronger, although they were indebted to Mchel Aodh Martin for a double save to deny Meath a goal. After another Sherlock brace, Darragh Campion raced inside the cover but Martin stayed big before diving back towards his line to claw away Morriss fisted follow-up effort.

Sherlock and Walsh traded scores to leave the half-time gap at two but Meath cancelled that out in no time on the resumption through Walsh free and Morris.

Cork kicked three in a row from Jones, Sherlock free, and Sen Powter but Meath responded with a scoring burst that stunned the Rebels.

Their forwards suddenly found all sorts of space to exploit with fast passing and direct running, blasting 2-4 to Corks 0-1 between the 51st and 61st minutes.

A Jason Scully intercept on an Ian Maguire pass changed everything. His run held the covering defenders against the 3-on-2 overlap and his pass allowed Morris to palm to the roof of the net.

Walsh added three points, two from play and a mark, while substitute Jack OConnor kicked a huge point.

A Sherlock free couldnt break Meath momentum as Keogan burst upfield, Diarmuid Moriarty fed OSullivan, and the Moynalvey man split the defence and found the top corner. From three behind to six ahead: 3-12 to 0-15.

It was too sustained a punishment for Cork to recover from, ORourkes young tyros closing it out with Cathal Hickey and Morris points against four from Sherlock three frees.

Scorers for Cork: Steven Sherlock 0-14 10f, 1 45; Chris g Jones 0-2; Maurice Shanley, Mattie Taylor, Sen Powter 0-1 each.

Scorers for Meath: Shane Walsh 1-7 0-2f, 0-2m; Jordan Morris 1-2; Cillian OSullivan 1-1; Mathew Costello 0-2 1f; Cathal Hickey, Jack OConnor 0-1 each

CORK: Mchel Aodh Martin; Kevin ODonovan, Daniel OMahony, Maurice Shanley; Rory Maguire, Sen Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Colm OCallaghan, Ian Maguire; Eoghan McSweeney, Sen Powter, Brian ODriscoll; Chris g Jones, Brian Hurley capt, Steven Sherlock. Subs: Tommy Walsh for ODonovan 44, John O'Rourke for McSweeney 53, Luke Fahy for R Maguire 54, Cathail O'Mahony for Hurley 61, Ruair Deane for Powter 66.

MEATH: Harry Hogan; Cathal Hickey, Michael Flood, James OHare; Eoin Harkin, Donal Keogan capt, Daniel ONeill; Ronan Jones, Daith McGowan; Darragh Campion, Jason Scully, Cillian OSullivan; Jordan Morris, Matthew Costello, Shane Walsh. Subs: Shane Crosby for McGowan 12-14, blood, Adam ONeill for D ONeill h-t, Harry OHiggins for OHare 49, Jack OConnor for Harkin 49, Diarmuid Moriarty for McGowan 53, Shane Crosby for O'Sullivan 66.

Referee: Brendan Cawley Kildare