Date and time confirmed for Cork's make-or-break clash against Roscommon

Cork's do-or-die clash with Roscommon in the All-Ireland SFC Group 2 Round 3 has been confirmed for Saturday, June 14 in Laois Hire O’Moore Park in Portlaoise with throw-in at 4.15pm.

The big match will be shown live on GAA+. John Cleary’s side are bottom of the group after defeats to Meath and Kerry and know only a win against Roscommon will book a knockout spot at the expense of their Connacht opposition.

It will be the second meeting between the teams in just over three months. The sides met back in March at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in a crucial Allianz Division 2 league game. It was an evening when Roscommon inflicted the biggest defeat of Cleary’s three-year tenure of Cork, winning by 14 points, 2-21 to 0-13.

It was a result that left Cork in real trouble in of relegation, but they picked themselves up to win the last two games against Louth and Cavan to finish in fourth for a third campaign on the trot.

Back in 2023 also down in the Páirc, the Rebels won in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against Roscommon, 1-14 to 0-16, courtesy of Kevin O’Donovan’s late point.

This contest is arguably the biggest game for the Cork footballers in a number of years. The Leesiders have lost five of the last six championship games since that memorable victory over Donegal at Páirc Uí Rinn 12 months ago.

The encounter would be considered a 50/50 game with both sides very unpredictable. It’s knockout football with the winners going through. A draw would also do Roscommon.