Robbie Brennan: Cork loss easier to take than 'crushing' Westmeath defeat as Meath face knockout jeopardy

Meath lost to Cork at Páirc Uí Rinn, 0-30 to 1-24, and the defeat left them needing results to stay in the championship. Robbie Brennan said the Westmeath loss was more crushing, while the Cork loss did not change their situation because another game is scheduled in three weeks. He said Meath did not have time to be sorry and must be ready for the next match. Meath led by eight points at half-time after a late first-half goal by Ciaran Caulfield and five two-pointers from goalkeeper Sean Brennan, Eoghan Frayne, Ruairi Kinsella, and James Conlon. In the second half, Meath lost momentum as Cork used the breeze to recover, despite playing nearly 20 minutes with 14 men.

"“The first one (Westmeath defeat) definitely was crushing, that (losing to Cork) not so much, because nothing changes; we have a game in three weeks' time,” he said. “We don't have time to be sorry, we probably did a little bit after Westmeath, we don't with this one, there's nothing dramatically different for us, we've got to be ready in three weeks' time.”"

"“Don't get me wrong, there's some seriously disappointed bodies in the dressing room, but I thought our performance possibly deserved something out of it, and we'll definitely be taking the positives and getting ready for three weeks.”"

"Meath looked in a good place after a late first half goal from Ciaran Caulfield and five two-pointers from goalkeeper Sean Brennan, a free, Eoghan Frayne (two), Ruairi Kinsella and James Conlon left them leading by eight points at half time. “Conlon finished the match with seven points and his team's top scorer. But in the second half they lost momentum and Cork, with the breeze, reeled them back in, holding out for victory despite playing nearly 20 minutes with 14 men.”"

"“It was such a tricky wind to really kind of put a number on, you know, was it eight or nine (point advantage)? It kept changing, even when Eoghan (Frayne) was going for the toss, we weren't sure which way to go with it, you know,” said Brennan. “Yeah, look, obviously the goal chance at the end would have been another little cushion for us, but having said all that, like Cork, you know, were able to get their momentum as they're entitled to do, and they made good use”"

Read at Irish Independent