The Cork footballers got their year off to a winning start last night - and in some style.
The Rebels scored five goals in a 5-11 to 14 points win over Kerry in Pairc ui Rinn in the McGrath Cup, Colm O'Callaghan scoring 2-4 from midfield.
Speaking to RedFM Sport after last night's game, Cork boss John Cleary says he was happy with the win, but they won't be getting carried away by the result.
"Yeah we did well enough now. Kerry hadn't their strongest team out or anything like that.
"I was pleased the way we moved the ball and the way we defended at times.
"It wasn't all perfect or anything like that, but it was great to be out playing, and the lads were itching to go. We've been training with the last five weeks, and we haven't even had a challenge game. There's been a lot of work done in training, so thanks be to God we were able to play out there tonight.
"I thought we did OK at times, but Kerry were blowing hard at the end, a lot of their players you could see maybe a few of them were on holidays the last few weeks.
"So pleasing to get the win and get off the ground, and we're off and running now."
For Kerry boss Jack O'Connor, last night's result and performance represented 'a good reality check' for his players.
"We take more or less what I was expecting deep down, in that we've had two training sessions basically - I'm sure Cork have much more done.
"I thought the first 10-15 minutes we were ok, then conceded a very bad goal.
"Cork just had legs on us all over the pitch, they were creating overlaps, they got five goals they could easily have gotten 8 or 9.
"It's a good reality check for our fellas, it's good to get that so early. It gives our fellas a bit of context and shows them how much work they have to do, if they didn't believe it already.
"Cork were good, played well, very fit for this time of the year."
