Cork still thirsty for All-Ireland success, says selector Sheehy

FRED SHEEHY has seen a lot of changes in eight years as a Cork senior hurling selector.

In that time, the Kilworth man has also experienced the highs and lows of the game, from the shattering defeat in 2003 to the glory of last year's All-Ireland triumph over Kilkenny.

Over the same period he has seen the Cork set-up change drastically following the players' revolt of 2002.

And accepts it has all been for the better.

"When you consider the amount of time players devote to the game, things had to change, but I hope the day never comes when they will look for payment to play," said Sheehy.

"Cork hurling has gone through something of a metamorphosis since that black day in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 1996 when Limerick hurled us off the park.

"There was only one way we could go and that was up.

"The two U-21 victories of 1997 and 1998 gave us a great crop of young, talented players and they proved their worth in 1999 by winning the All-Ireland, against the odds.

"The failure of 2003 was followed by another victory in 2004, and with most of that 1999 team still around, we are on the glory trail again."

And the core of that 1999 team are still very much to the fore.

"Six years have gone by since those youngsters were brought on to the team and while they are still young in years, they have a lot of miles up in terms of playing, and at times it amazes me to see how enthusiastic and committed they still are.

"It's probably a bit easier when you are winning, and I suppose players, not alone in Cork but in other counties, realise you have only so many years playing in the top flight, so they might as well make the most of it."

Clare and Cork's paths to Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final have been very different.

Clare failed in their first outing of the Munster championship to Tipperary, and were forced to go the long way around, beating Dublin, Waterford, Offaly and Wexford to reach this stage.

Cork, on the other hand, defeated Waterford and Tipperary in Munster before repeating the dose for Waterford in the quarter-finals.

"I'm not sure the present championship structure is the right one but we'll have to make do with it," Sheehy added.

"So far we have not played anyone outside Munster in the championship and that cannot be right.

"From past experience Clare are going to be very difficult to beat on Sunday, every bit as difficult as Waterford were in the quarter-final. I'm expecting them to come at us with great intensity, hoping to knock us off our stride, and we'll have to be ready.

"Lack of consistency has been our problem this season. Our display in the first half of the Munster final was as near to perfection as a selector could wish for. Contrast that with our second-half performance, which nearly cost us the game. We haven't been consistent over the full 70 minutes in any game this year and that put us in trouble at times."

Cork have been criticised for their tactical passing game - but it has brought them to Croke Park on a regular basis.

"Cork's style of hurling surprised everybody when it was first introduced, but most counties have cottoned on to it now. But our level of fitness is such that our running game will still trouble most teams and if we get it right on the day, no one will beat us.

"However, you would not want to lose sight of the fact that all teams are very good now and there is very little between them. Munster has been a minefield this year, with five counties in the last eight of the championship.

"Any one of the five could have won the provincial championship, and depending on what way the wind blows, I cannot see that changing in the foreseeable future."

Sheehy rubbishes suggestions that Clare are an ageing side trying to recapture the glory of 1995 and 997.

"Any talk that they are ageing is foolish. While they have a number of players on the 30-year-old mark and over, they have introduced newcomers who have made an impact.

"Clare's record against Cork in the championship since they made the big breakthrough in 1995 has been very good. In that decade the counties have met five times, Clare winning three, and that will give them a certain amount of added confidence going in against us on Sunday.

"It's going to be a very difficult semi-final to win, but I'm confident our level of fitness and greater stickwork will carry the day for us."