Cork & Meath Secure Division 1 Football League Promotion | RTÉ Sport
Cork secured promotion back to Division One of the Allianz Football League on Sunday, defeating Tyrone with a final score that ensured their return to the top tier after a decade-long absence. The result hinged on a three-point victory, aided by wins for both Louth and Derry, but Cork’s head-to-head record against Meath proved decisive.
The Rebels will now face Meath in next Sunday’s final at Croke Park. Despite a strong first-half performance that saw them accept a one-point lead into the break, Tyrone rallied in the third quarter, briefly taking a two-point advantage. However, Cork responded strongly in the closing stages, outscoring their opponents by 10 points to five, according to RTÉ.
“We’re thrilled to finally get over the line,” Cork manager John Cleary told RTÉ’s Sunday Sport. He acknowledged the team’s previous inconsistencies, stating, “The last couple of years we’ve been a bit up and down and at times we’re nearer to the bottom than to the top.” Cleary emphasized the hard work invested by the team, adding, “To win six out of seven games in this ultra-competitive Division 2, we’d have to be pleased. I experience we deserve to go up.”
Cleary also noted a degree of luck in their performance but maintained that Cork’s overall league performance warranted promotion. He praised the team’s resilience, stating, “It’s a big, big achievement for this group of lads. They really dug in when maybe supporters and other people had deserted them. I’m thrilled that they’re getting their just reward now this evening.”
Meanwhile, Meath manager Robbie Brennan celebrated his team’s promotion, framing it as a continuation of the momentum built during last summer’s championship run. Following a historic victory over Dublin, Meath suffered a defeat to Louth in the Leinster final but subsequently reached the All-Ireland semi-final, where they were ultimately overcome by Donegal.
On Sunday, Meath defeated Offaly by ten points, securing their promotion. “Just delighted for the lads, delighted for the coaches, everybody that’s worked so hard,” Brennan said. He asserted that a return to Division One was “where we should be,” highlighting Meath’s strong footballing tradition.
Brennan emphasized the team’s focus on continuous improvement, stating, “Our focus has always been on just getting better every time we’re together, whether that’s a training session or a game.” He also credited the players for driving the team’s progress, noting a shift towards a “player-led” approach. “There’s probably less of us (the management team) and more of the players driving things, which is a dream situation to be in really,” Brennan explained. “They’re pushing things on and they’re making better decisions on the pitch, in training and in meetings.”