Daniel O'Mahony encouraged about Cork's progress
Cork senior footballer Daniel O'Mahony. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile
Click here to listen to the interview with Cork senior footballer Daniel O'Mahony, who was speaking at the 2026 launch of the Munster Championships.
By Cian O'Connell
"It was absolutely massive, we've been trying to get out of Division Two now for the last 10 years, to finally get over the line was some relief," Daniel O'Mahony says about Cork's promotion from Division Two of the Allianz Football League.
"Then, obviously the game at the weekend is the cherry on the top - to go after that. It is a really exciting week, a brilliant week looking back, and a really good weekend looking forward to."
The away win over Tyrone illustrated Cork's potential and now a Croke Park decider beckons against Meath at GAA headquarters.
Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Munster Championships, O'Mahony acknowledged the relevance of the opening round Allianz Football League win over Cavan at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. "Looking back now, that Cavan game is probably looking like one of the most important games in the league," O'Mahony reflects.
"We were, I think seven down with 10 to go, but turned it around to win. Without that game, we'd be sitting still in Division Two next year.
"That resilient piece is definitely massive and that consistency piece. We're probably in year four as a group, year four under John (Cleary) and Kevin (Walsh), and hopefully we're improving as a team which is leading to that increased consistency."
When Cork had a setback, losing to Derry, the response was impressive. Resilience was demonstrated. "In the league the games come thick and fast," O'Mahony says.
"Luckily enough, we did have a break after that game, we could review the game properly, take our learnings from it, try to implement them, and then just forget about it.
"I think if you dwell on games like that, it can't be good. That is what we did, and we won the next two games out. So, hopefully we did address some of those issues."
With Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup implications, Division Two is critical. So, being in the top tier will benefit Cork in a number of ways according to O'Mahony. "100 per cent, that is probably one of the benefits getting up to Division One," he responds.
"Next year, obviously, you'll have to attack it, but you don't have the weight of potentially being in the Tailteann Cup, depending on results and having to get to a provincial final.
"It is definitely less of a weight, and as a result you can probably try more in terms of team selection which is important for the growth of the group. Division Two is, one, really tough to get out of, and, two, there is massive implications in performing well in it."
