Cork edged a thriller over Louth in Páirc Tailteann to open their All-Ireland series with a well earned victory.
Coming off the back of a disappointing Munster championship exit seven weeks ago, John Cleary will be pleased with his side's efforts after the long lay off.
Having led for the majority of the entertaining affair after Brian O'Driscoll found the net in the first half, Cork succumbed to Louth's momentum to trail in the 57th minute.
Cleary will be most pleased with how his side withstood that fightback to get over the line in the final quarter in Navan. The composure, depth off their bench and astonishing energy levels shown could also indicate a long summer ahead for the Rebels.
Both sides were eyeing each other up for victory and with the much maligned three teams exit route from the group stages, the possibility of extending the summer further really gave the game a knock-out feel.
Louth goalkeeper James Califf was penalised for over carrying early on, indicating that Cork had their homework done on two parts, firstly identifying Califf as a turnover target and then reacting quickly to the free to work O'Driscoll in for the vital major, 16 minutes into the absorbing contest.
Sam Mulroy kept Louth in touch with four points in each half but by staying in the game Louth were also biding their time for a match wining push.
The ploy nearly played out that way when Louth substitute Liam Jackson found the net ten minutes into the second half.
Six points down and Louth looked to be trouble but the goal injected adrenaline into the occasion.
Cork's Brian Hurley was sublime at times as the game drew to a climax and his leveller after Louth took the late lead highlighted his class. Right off the deck, near the sideline, Hurley silenced Cork’s doubting minds and the now noisy home support.
The result still boiled down to the final play however, with Mícheál Aodh Martin dropping yet another kick out to his left hand side for the imperious Ian Maguire to force into Cork hands.
With the absorbing game in the melting pot, Maguire caused enough consternation for substitute John O’Rourke to bravely claim the breaking ball and find fellow replacement Conor Corbett to seal a two point win.
Louth: James Califf; Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch (0-01), Donal McKenny; Leonard Grey (0-01), Niall Sharkey, Anthony Williams; Tommy Durnin (0-01), Conor Early (0-01); Conall McKeever, Ciarán Downey(0-02), Bevan Duffy; Paul Mathews, Sam Mulroy(0-08, 0-04f), Craig Lennon (0-01).
Subs used: Daire McConnnon for Mathews (ht), Dylan McKeown (0-01) for Duffy (ht), Liam Jackson (1-00) for Campbell (39), Conor Grimes (0-01) for Lennon (44), Conal McCaul for McConnon (65),
Cork: Mícheál Aodh Martin; Maurice Shanley, Daniel O'Mahony, Tommy Walsh; Luke Fahy, Seán Meehan, Mattie Taylor; Colm O'Callaghan (0-02), Ian Maguire (0-02); Brian O’Driscoll (1-01), Ruairí Deane, Killian O’Hanlon (0-01); Seán Powter (0-01), Brian Hurley (0-08, 0-06f), Chris Óg Jones (0-01).
Subs used: Kevin O’Donovan for Meehan (21), Steven Sherlock (0-01) for Powter (48) Cian Kiely for Walsh (49), Eoghan McSweeney for O’Hanlon (55), Conor Corbett (0-01) for Jones (64), John O’Rourke (0-01) for Hurley (73).
Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)
