Three talking points from Cork footballers' defeat to Down

CONSISTENCY:

It has been something that has dragged down the Cork footballers for over a decade. A positive result would be followed by a flat performance. After the opening round victory over Meath, it was hugely important that John Cleary’s side backed it up with another performance and most importantly two points.

Brian O'Driscoll of Cork signals a two-point score to referee Barry Cassidy. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

For large parts, it looked like Cork had the better of Down. They led by 10 points after 32 minutes. With 15 minutes remaining, the Rebels were ahead by five points after a Seán McDonnell goal and a Mark Cronin free.

It looked like Cork had done enough at that stage.

Not to be. There will be a big inquest into what happened here albeit Down did improve after the break.

KICK-OUTS:

Despite a change of goalkeeper with Micheál Aodh Martin out injured, Patrick Doyle stepped in and did well. He made a couple of neat saves and kicked a point. But the underlying issues remain. Cleary’s charges struggled from their own kick-outs against Meath in the opener and it was the same again here, especially after the interval.

Yes, with the new rules, the midfield area is a battlefield, but Cork also struggled with the breaking ball. In saying that, many teams are under pressure from their own kick-outs so far this year.

Cork only won 44% of their own kick-outs, every kick-out went long apart from one.

The Leesiders needed to regain momentum against Down after the home side burst into life after half-time, but it wasn’t forthcoming despite times when it looked like Cork would kick on again.

PROMOTION:

There’s no one hiding the fact that Cork have to be in the promotion conversation this season. This was a game the Rebels simply had to win. They left the lead slip firmly through their fingers and Cleary was visibly very frustrated after the game.

They have a two-week gap now to gather their thoughts. Westmeath are the visitors to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, February 15.

With tough games to come including away to Monaghan and home to Roscommon, Cork have no room for error. This is a setback and a big example of why Cork football has been stuck in this rut of one step forward, two steps back, over the last 10 years or so.

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