John Cleary believes his group were not as prepared to go up to Division 1 in previous years.<\/p>\n
But on this occasion there was no question about their readiness as they claimed six wins out of seven to end 10 years outside the top eight.<\/p>\n
\u201cRelief is the word, really,\u201d said Cleary. \u201cBut satisfaction as well. Because there was an awful lot of hard work that’s been put in there in the last three years.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd maybe we weren’t ready. And I think we were ready this time. And it would have been a big blow to us if we hadn’t come out with a victory here today. Because it would have been back to square one, really.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cleary senses his Cork team now realise how good they are following some difficult seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe big thing where I’ve been successful is putting a very good backroom team together. You know, Kevin Walsh, Kevin Murray, our stats team. We try to improve it every year. And they’ve stuck with these lads. And they know these lads.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing involved in Cork football sometimes can be a lonely place. When you lose a game or two, a lot of the critics can come out and you can be an easy target at times.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut what gives me great satisfaction is the lads there. The work they put in, come to training every night. And they’re a very down-to-earth and unassuming group.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we were trying to do was build confidence into them that they are a very good group. And until you get a bit of success, maybe they don’t believe that. But maybe they might start to believe it now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cleary emphasised the significance of emerging from a brutally tough Division 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very, very difficult league to get out of. Like we had two last year\u2019s All-Ireland semi-finalists (Meath and Tyrone). We had the league winners, Division 1 from two years ago (Derry). We had the Leinster champions (Louth).<\/p>\n
\u201cEven when the draw was made, we had two trips up the north, a trip to Louth, a trip to Offaly. So, it was going to be very difficult. And, you know, when there’s a bit of luck going, I think we deserved it. And we’re absolutely thrilled now to get promotion.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cleary had no interest in other results when Cork\u2019s fate was in their own hands in Omagh or contemplating the perks that go with returning to Division 1.<\/p>\n