Cleary keeps Cork grounded ahead of Division One final with Galway

Michael Bolton

Having topped the table to reach the Division One final, Cork captain Emma Cleary is not looking past the decider against Galway on Saturday.

After gaining promotion from Division Two last season, Cork have made a statement early this year, losing just once and sealing qualification with a game to spare.

In their first Division One final since 2021 - and having not tasted league success since 2019 - it marks a return to form for a county that once dominated, winning five leagues in a row between 2013 and 2017.

Speaking at the launch of the Lidl National Football League finals, Cleary says the impact of manager Joe Caroll has been felt in the league.

"After being promoted last year, our main aim was to stay up in Division One, which is tough enough in itself. We picked up a few points along the way and found ourselves looking at a league title.

"We made a few changes to our management team, and I think that has added something different to our group. We would have been disappointed last year by how things panned out, so we put our shoulder to the wind this winter, and Joe really focused on the league."

In April, it is too early to say who will be in contention come August, but the signs for Cork have been positive this season.

Despite the chance for silverware in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday, Cleary says the Munster championship will show where this Cork team currently stands.

"The Munster championship is only around the corner, but we are only taking it game by game. Our main focus is on Galway at the weekend.

"Being in Division One will really stand to us going into the championship. Last year, being in Division Two, I don't know if it did us much good when we came up against Kerry and Waterford in the Munster championship.

"The more tough games you can get through, [the better it] will stand to you. There is no easy game anymore."

Like any person playing for Cork, the All-Ireland is always the ultimate aim.

However, Cleary would see it as a sign of progress in the short term if the Rebels can get a shot at glory in Munster.

"As a player, I set out every year wanting to win the All-Ireland, so that is the ultimate success. To win Division One would be a huge success for this group and it would be great.

"To get back to a Munster final this year, which is something we missed last year, would be great.