McCarthy the missing link man

CENTRE-HALF forward: it’s a tough station. You’re usually marking one of the opposition’s best players and your mission statement can be vague.

Do you try to contain the opposing number 6, sacrificing your attacking instincts, or let him mark you and give him the freedom of the half-back line?

Conor McCarthy is the Cork man who will fill the number 11 jersey tomorrow in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway, and the Skibbereen man’s play-making ability means the westerners will have to pay close attention to him. Linking the play is a McCarthy speciality.