Corrigan happy with ‘unlucky’ Rebel performers despite results

WITH a little more luck and a killer instinct, Cork’s footballers could be perched on the summit of Division 1A and not staring at the relegation zone.

Despite that, selector Colman Corrigan is delighted with the side's performances, which have already buried the memories of last year's truly forgettable summer.

Cork have yet to add another win to the one they picked up against Kerry on the league's opening weekend, but it hasn't been for the want of trying. First came the draw with Westmeath, when they let a four-point lead slip with five minutes to go.

That was followed by a three-point defeat to a Mayo side inspired by three top-class saves from goalkeeper David Clarke.

Tyrone escaped the southern capital a week later with both points plundered thanks to a last-ditch Stephen O'Neill penalty, before Offaly grabbed another point off Billy Morgan's team in Tullamore last Sunday.

"We've been very, very unlucky so far," said Corrigan.

"The thing is, I'm actually very pleased and excited by how we're playing so far, given how last season went for us.

"A couple of new players we've brought in have come up trumps so I'm not displeased in any way. I'd be disappointed with some of the results but our performances have been, by and large, very good."

Probably the worst period from Cork came in the first half in Tullamore when, with the aid of a stiff wind, they failed to score for 25 minutes.

Corrigan accepts that their inability to nail down a consistent 70 minutes is a concern.

"It's a concern that we're not more consistent in our games. Against Tyrone three weeks before, we started very well and then our play took a turn for the worse.

"Cork are a good running team, as we showed when we had to keep the ball low after the break against Offaly. My biggest concern would be that we're holding onto the ball a little too much at times. We seem to be taking that extra pass at times too and it's costing us."

Corner-back Niall Geary has perhaps been Cork's most impressive player, restricting Colm Cooper, Dessie Dolan, John Prenty, Colm McCullagh and James Coughlan to a combined four points from play.

Sean Levis has patrolled the half-back line with some authority, while Derek Kavanagh's move to midfield from full-back since the Kerry game has reaped rich rewards. Only Westmeath's Rory O'Connell and David O'Shaughnessy hold outright bragging rights over the pair to date.

Up front Kevin O'Sullivan and Brendan Jer O'Sullivan have shown flashes of their true potential while men like Micheal Ó Croinin, Alan Cronin and Philip Clifford have contributed briefly but positively from the bench.

Then there is Anthony Lynch and Graham Canty yet to return from injury. Clearly, there's much to be optimistic about.

"One win from two will do us if we're to stay in Division One, but that's not how we're looking at it. Our ambition was the play-offs at the start of the season but it's performances that are more important and we're doing well on that score," said Corrigan.