Impressive Cork hit the ground running
It was interesting to observe Cork as they went through their pre-game warm up. Management and players were visibly lackadaisical. Everyone was relaxed and smiling. There was not a game face to be seen. There was an element of “we have seen this all before.” It can be hard to move on from the highs of last year and the post-September party circuit. A wet Austin Stack Park is a long way from sunny Cape Town. This can be dangerous as players think they can switch on and take off from where they were the previous year. This is not always the case and some Cork players did struggle, especially early on. It is early in the year, though, and without much training, enough of Cork’s top performers delivered when it mattered to snaffle two valuable two points on the road in an ultra-competitive Division One.
The other characteristic of All-Ireland champions that was evident yesterday was the experience and newfound confidence displayed by Cork, particular down the stretch. There was no panic. This time last year Cork would not have won this opening League game. Winning big games, such as last year’s Croke Park victories over Down and Dublin, are massive experiences to be able to draw on when the going gets tough.
As the first half entered one minute of injury time, Cork trailed by three. Donncha O’Connor got two good points to leave the minimum between the sides at the break. Think back to last September and Marty Clarke had a 45 to put Down six ahead as half-time approached. He missed and O’Connor landed two significant points to leave Cork three down (0-8 to 0-5) and provide a second-half platform to build their victory on.
A further example was Cork’s patience after Paul Geaney’s equalising goal. Cork refused to panic and won frees to carry the day. Also last September we saw the importance of free taking and in particular Daniel Goulding’s boot. His kicking was outstanding yesterday as he provided seven points, including three 45s and the late winner, big kicks on a wet day.
The other major factor in the second half was Cork’s improvement in the middle third. In the first half as the midfielders from both sides went to catch, Kerry ruled the skies. David Moran and Anthony Maher caught some great ball and dominated their opponents. In the second half Cork broke everything and picked up the breaking ball much better. Kerry were not able to hit their potent forward line as often or as accurately. Consequently, Cork forwards saw more ball.
AS Jack O’Connor hit the road home last night, he will initially have felt very disappointed Kerry did not get at least a point from the game. But the further south he drove and the more he thought about the game, the happier he will be. High up on his priority list this year will be to give a few emerging talents enough game time during the league to make them realistic Championship options. He will be delighted with Jonathan Lyne and David Geaney, the latter kicking brilliantly and, more importantly, showing hard for ball. Paul Geaney was also very impressive when he unsurprisingly goaled and won a couple of frees. Shane Enright had a good second half and Peter Crowley also got a taster when the game was at most frenetic.
O’Connor will also be very pleased with midfield. Both Moran and Maher played very well. The forward set up worked extremely well.
Donncha Walsh was outstanding as he withdrew towards midfield going through a huge amount of work, winning countless breaks and kicking two points. Darran O’Sullivan and Barry John Keane tortured the Cork half backs with their excellent movement back and over across the field.
O’Sullivan looks very comfortable on the 40 and as well as the great drive for Paul Geaney’s goal hetackled hard, linked well and found Kieran Donaghy with some great ball. Donaghy was also impressive. Jack will be happy to see him on the scoresheet as well as doing his usual providing. With big players to return, the Kerry management will be energised by yesterday’s display. However, they’ll be disappointed with some of defending. In particular, conceding seven points from frees including the equaliser and winning score even if these frees were of the very soft variety.
Conor Counihan will be using the next week and a half to get some mileage into the legs for a return to Croke Park and a battle with Dublin. If they can get anything from that game they will discover another aspect of their new status: All Ireland champions with momentum are a tough juggernaut to stop.
