Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Will others follow Cork and sweep on Clifford?

David Clifford of Kerry. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie

In a strange way, it was mission accomplished for both Cork and Kerry on Saturday evening in Páirc Uí Rinn. Cork gave a decent representation of themselves and their county for three quarters of the match while Kerry won by 12, conceding only 11 and with plenty to work on.

Kudos to the Cork management as they got plenty right. From the off, it was clear that they were going to play with huge physicality and were going to work very hard for each other. With John Cleary in charge, the Castlehaven identity was bound to be a factor. Playing with spirit and bite is non-negotiable and requires not only talent, but togetherness and gumption. Playing so close to the edge did result in the concession of frees (some of the soft variety) with Kerry scoring 10 points from placed balls. Cleary and co will have preferred this to standing off Kerry and allowing them to score at will from play.