Kingdom’s quest leads them back to Cork

IT WAS a close run thing between stadium manager Peter McKenna and Cork coach Conor Counihan for the most sought-after opinions in the wake of yesterday’s dreadful All-Ireland semi-final victory for Kerry over Meath.

While McKenna was around afterwards to debate how much a Croke Park error fest was down to the underfoot conditions, Counihan was quickly on his way south to begin the game plan for a Munster mash of an All-Ireland final on September 20 between Cork and Kerry.

In the way of these things, Kerry’s inability to lift themselves above the conditions and Meath may constitute ideal final preparations in some eyes – but those are usually on the other side of the psychological divide (otherwise known as the Cork-Kerry border).