Fact or myth? Cork always deliver in Croke Park
There is no such thing as a handy All-Ireland, never was, never will be, and to suggest otherwise is to insult the four teams still standing. Remember, all those who are gone are gone for a reason — they were knocked out by one of those still there. The system is there, it’s the same for everyone; not alone were Kilkenny, Tipperary and Galway beaten, they were beaten twice! Far from being a handy All-Ireland, I would say it’s going to be the hardest-won All-Ireland in a long, long time.
In discussing this game you must first go to the two managers, Jimmy Barry-Murphy and Anthony Daly. These two know each other well but not from the hurling field — Anthony was only a child when Jimmy played his last game for Cork. No, they know each other from a different field. Both of them are great doggie men, have almost as much of a passion for greyhounds as they have for hurling and in that role, would have come across each other many times in Curraheen, in Shelbourne Park, or at the coursing in Clonmel every year. From that, I’d say there’s great mutual respect.
Tomorrow they meet on the sideline in Croke Park and it’s going to be some match-up. They have both plotted the downfall of Kilkenny this year, Dublin beating the Cats after a replay in the Leinster semi-final, Cork beating them in the All-Ireland quarter-final. The biggest difference though, Cork actually knocked out Kilkenny.
There’s a lot of talk also that Dublin were delighted to see Cork win that game; I’m not so sure. I think Dublin would have loved another crack at Kilkenny. They know them inside-out now, they know what to expect, they went toe-to-toe with them twice and proved to themselves — which is most important — that they could beat that team.
Individually they were getting the measure of the men they were marking; as a team they were also on top. Dublin would have beaten Kilkenny again, even in Croke Park, and I think that after winning the Leinster final, they were gearing themselves for that. Now they face something of an unknown, for them — just how good are Cork? How will they fare in Croke Park?
What Anthony and his selectors have done this year, they’ve established a very strong spine in this team. Peter Kelly at full-back, Liam Rushe at centre, Joey Boland and Johnny McCaffrey in the middle of the field, Ryan O’Dwyer doing the dirty work at centre-forward, then the rejuvenated Dotsie O’Callaghan at full-forward. All those are good in the air, strong and forceful.
Then you have the guys on the flanks. Dublin are very well served in the full-back line, Stephen Hiney’s return on the wing is a real boost, Michael Carton has been outstanding on the other wing, while up front Conal Keaney has been given a roving role, something he’s very good at, Danny Sutcliffe is in fine scoring form, and the two-man inside line is working a treat. And of course there’s Paul Ryan’s free-taking. Dublin then have all the ingredients, including a strong bench. They’re a strong team but they’re also good hurlers. I think they have really got their act together this year, very impressive.
The one thing I’d always say about Cork — when they hit Croke Park, they deliver. They have that innate cockiness, that bouldness, that self-belief. Under Jimmy Barry-Murphy that has been nurtured. Look at the loyalty he has shown his players. Conor Lehane and Luke O’Farrell are starting again despite the fact they haven’t set the world alight in any of their performances to date. Jimmy obviously sees something in those guys in training that we’re not seeing in games; one of those days that belief he has in those players will pay off. They certainly owe him.
Looking at the Cork attack, a huge addition (in more ways than one) is Seamus Harnedy at wing-forward. He’s a ball-winner, a good hand, a good head, exactly what you need against Dublin.
Big question, can Patrick Horgan maintain the outstanding form he has shown up to now? Because he was brilliant against Kilkenny. Pa Cronin is the new Cork captain, showing great leadership; I wonder will Cork move him around a bit, doing his usual fire-fighting role?
The most crucial area for Cork though is the half-back/midfield area. Tom Kenny, Christopher Joyce, William Egan, Daniel Kearney and Lorcan McLoughlin have a massive responsibility tomorrow. Win this area and Cork will be in good shape. The keeper and full-back line — I don’t think Cork have too many worries there!
A winner? Dublin have been waiting for this game for a while, Cork have been playing games, big games. I think Cork might just get their noses in front on the line.
