Cork Stumble Past Louth At Portlaoise

All Ireland SFC Qualifiers
Cork 0-16
Louth 0-14

By Dermot Kavanagh

Cork just about stumbled across the line against a very impressive Louth side in this absorbing curtain raiser at Portlaoise on Saturday.

When referee Michael Duffy blew the final whistle the single most obvious reaction that the Cork team, management and supporters expressed was one of sheer relief. 

This was a game that they were expected to win comfortably, but as the game went on, a win by any margin became acceptable. 

After all, Cork had emerged with credit following their Munster final battle with Kerry.

Louth, on the other hand, while they looked impressive last time out against Kildare, had to search desperately for replacements for the half- dozen or so players who left the panel for one reason or another.

Louth played with determination, courage and lots of football skill, showing no inferiority complex against the more vaunted Cork men.

While Cork built up an early 0-6 to 0-3 lead, Louth settled to their task and by halftime had not only caught up with Cork, but in fact led by 0-9 to 0-8.

On the resumption of play it was anticipated that Cork would quickly reassert themselves, which is what happened when O'Connor pointed an equaliser in their very first attack. 

However the expected Louth collapse did not happen.  In fact the reverse came about as Louth, playing some exciting direct football, built up an impressive three-point lead.

To Cork's credit they did not panic and slowly they balanced the score before building up a three-point lead. Mainly through the dominance of Nicholas Murphy at midfield Cork scored those six points without reply. 

Still Louth would not throw in the towel and in the remaining minutes they laid siege to the Cork goal in pursuit of a levelling goal. 

In hindsight Louth will regret that they sought out a levelling goal as in those minutes they had several opportunities to score points. 

Their only reward was a point in the 71st minute to reduce the margin. 

In the remaining two minutes of injury time Graham Canty and Anthony Lynch used their vast experience to stifle promising Louth raiding parties to steer Cork into the quarter-final draw.

Not to detract from Louth's performance, one has to say that Cork were far from impressive in this display. 

Their main weakness appears to be their attackers, who seemed to play without any coherent tactical plan.

Cork as yet do not look as if they know how to use 6-7 Michael Cussen either to his or the teams advantage. 

Overall Cork will require a vast improvement, particularly in attack if they are to progress.

Full credit to Louth who tested their limited resources fully and nearly brought of a shock result.  They have now played more championship games this year (7) than they have played for many years and appear to have progressed immensely.  They can look forward to 2008 with justifiable optimism.