1 – STRONG START: After Down’s win on Saturday night, which put Cork into the drop zone, the pressure went up another notch or two going into the Louth encounter. A strong start was required to settle any understandable nerves that may have been around. A two-pointer from Brian O’Driscoll after two minutes set the tone. Louth did have a few early wides, but crucially just the one big goal chance in the opening 35 minutes, which Seán Brady did excellently to block the shot. Cork weren’t brilliant but did the basics well and were 0-8 to 0-3 ahead after the first quarter. The lead would be extended to eleven points when half-time arrived. The second half wasn’t bad, but the major work had been completed in the first half. They were able to keep Louth at arms-length. 2 – PLAYERS STEPPED UP: In the heavy defeats to Monaghan and Roscommon, there was an over reliance on Mark Cronin to get the scores. The overall display was flat in those games, but the two-week break probably did come at a good time to give everyone a chance to reset. As well as Cronin firing, the likes of Brian O’Driscoll, Brian Hurley and Chris Óg Jones were effective in the forward area on Sunday. Micheál Aodh Martin was a commanding presence in between the sticks. Rory Maguire held the defence together while also scoring two points. Seán Brady and Neil Lordan were excellent in their corner-back positions. The performance was typified by Hurley’s work rate in the second half to chase back the field and then dispossessed Louth’s marksman Sam Mulroy after 50 minutes. That work rate wasn’t there from the team against Roscommon. It was there in spades in this one. Ian Maguire and Colm O’Callaghan put in an impressive display as they dovetailed well in the middle of the park. 3 - TWO MASSIVE POINTS: It’s a step towards safety but there were no celebrations after the game. The win was a relief more than anything. Cork are out of the drop zone and two points clear of Down and now Louth, but they are not out of the woods. The bottom line is that they need a result next weekend to secure their safety. If Cork lose away to Cavan in the final game on Sunday and Down and Louth win their games, three teams will be level on six points, it would then come down to scoring difference. It’s unlikely that will happen though with Down away to the leaders Monaghan.