O'Neill: We must set our stall early

Cork must approach every game of the Allianz Football League with 100% focus if they are to earn promotion back to Division 1, selector Eoin O’Neill has said.

The Rebels will be hoping to make an immediate return to the top division but they face a tough ask with Galway, Meath, Kildare, Derry, Down, Clare and Fermanagh all bidding to earn promotion .

O'Neill believes a strong start to the league campaign is imperative and he feels they could struggle if they make a slow start to the campaign.

“We were somewhat rusty against Kerry in the McGrath Cup, but we really can’t afford to be rusty early in the league, as our first two games are fierce important,” O’Neill is quoted as saying in the Irish Examiner.

“We need to be getting something out of one of those games, at least, or both. That is the way it is. Our opposition will be thinking the same thing. A good start in the league gives you that foundation of confidence to go and drive on.”

He went on: “There are a lot of teams on the rise in Division 2: Clare are there, Fermanagh are there and they could have beaten Mayo in the championship last year.

"If we go in with any other frame of mind other than 100% is required in every game, it could be a very difficult league for us. We have to go in there and set our stall out early; no different to Division 1 really.

“What our emphasis is on is to get this team winning matches. That is our emphasis. Promotion and whatever happens after that will look after itself.”

Cork will be without Eoin Cadogan, Alan O’Connor, Jamie O’Sullivan and Brian and Michael Hurley for the Division 2 games against Galway and Kildare..

Cadogan is recovering from surgery on his Achilles tendon, while O’Sullivan (groin), and Brian Hurley (hamstring) are also on the mend flowing procedures last season with Michael Hurley unavailable because of a hip injury.

O'Connor, meanwhile, will not feature until later in the league.

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