Donál Óg Cusack’s description of the Tailteann Cup as a competition for “disappointed also-rans” was shot down in no uncertain terms by Meath manager Colm O’Rourke after the Royals got their season back on track with a 1-19 to 0-11 victory over Tipperary.
“The gentleman involved. I wouldn’t pass the slightest remarks about what he would say about anything. I didn’t find it any way insulting. I thought it was a reflection of him rather than anything else,” was O’Rourke’s response to the comments of the former Cork hurling goalkeeper and now RTE pundit.
“The Tailteann Cup is a great competition. It did a lot for the likes of Westmeath last year and we saw Cavan and so many others compete seriously. We thought we would be in the top group (the Sam Maguire championship), but so be it. We are fully immersed in it and our players are taking it very seriously”.
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O’Rourke was hugely encouraged by the performances of several young players, including Aaron Lynch, who fired 1-2 in the win.
Competition favourites Cavan took some time to get going against Laois, but after a nip and tuck first half where Evan O’Carroll and Paddy Lynch (a penalty) traded goals to leave Cavan 1-10 to 1-8 in front, seven unanswered points after half-time allowed Mickey Graham’s side to cruise to a 2-20 to 1-14 win.
“It was more like a challenge game in the first half. In the second half, we needed to up the intensity and the workrate. Then in the second half, the lads started to force turnovers and making things happen” Graham said.
“The first game after you get knocked out of the championship is the toughest one, so it was all about the result today and getting the disappointment of the Ulster Championship.”
Down followed a similar pattern, conceding an early goal to Conor Murray of Waterford at Páirc Esler. But they replied in kind five minutes later however through Eamon Brown, and kicked the next three points to lead by 1-6 to 1-2 at the interval.
Poor shooting from both sides killed what little momentum there was in a lifeless contest and Odhrán Murdock’s goal was the highlight as Down eased to a 2-14 to 1-6 win.
Finally, goals in either half from Cathal Downes and Brian Donovan were decisive as Limerick held off a late Longford push to pick up a 2-16 to 1-16 win in the Gaelic Grounds.
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