Cork need to be a lot more clinical against Roscommon or their season could be over

Cork’s task is very simple tomorrow against Roscommon in the All-Ireland SFC Group 2 Round 3 tie.

Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise is the venue with throw-in at 4.15pm. Cork must win to qualify while for the opposition, a win or a draw will do them.

Before a ball was kicked at the start of the championship, the Cork management and players would have taken a win in the final group game to qualify for the knockout stages of the Sam Maguire especially after an up and down Allianz Division 2 Football League campaign, as they finished fifth having flirted with relegation.

The reality is though that the Rebels come into this one with very little momentum. You could say the same for Roscommon, but the focus must be on Cork and making sure they bring the best version of themselves.

There are a number of factors why the Leesiders are struggling to piece it all together and one is the lack of goals. Since the eye-catching victory over Donegal 12 months ago at Páirc Uí Rinn, the form and lack of green flags has been a cause for concern.

Five championship defeats in the six games since that day and also just two goals scored in six championship matches.

John Cleary’s charges hit three goals against Donegal in the 3-9 to 0-16 win in what was a counter-attacking masterclass albeit against a side who were slightly fatigued it could be argued and Cork took advantage.

Of course, the game has changed since that encounter with the new rules in place now. While two-pointers are such a huge part of the game, you still can’t beat getting goals.

Cork haven’t hit the back of the net in the last two championship matches, which were against Meath and Kerry, both have ended in defeat in this group stage.

Cleary’s team have created a lorry load of goal chances, but haven’t been able to score. It has been their achilles heel now for the best part of two years.

The Rebels will obviously take any kind of win tomorrow, but there is a feeling that they may need a goal or two in order to get that priceless victory. Roscommon have kept two clean sheets in four championship games this year, but they can be got at if Cork play it right.

Two-pointers will play a part, but as the old adage goes, goals win games, it could well prove to be the case in Portlaoise tomorrow.