Allen concentrating on the present despite whispers of the ’70s

Talk of the three-in-a row increases with each game for the Cork hurlers. Jim O’Sullivan sounds a warning.

DON’T mention three-in-a-row to the Cork hurling manager John Allen! The last thing he wants is for his team to be distracted from their mission of winning in Croke Park tomorrow in the first of the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals.

You can be sure that, deep down, players recognise the high stakes they are playing for — except that for now, getting to the final is all that matters.

After that there would be the small matter of emulating the Cork team of the ‘70s and accomplishing what Kilkenny failed at on three occasions and Galway once.

The 1976/’77/’78 Cork treble was notable for the reason that, in the preceding six years (since the last win in 1970), the county had been unable to match success in the League with real progress in the championship. They did get to the All-Ireland final of 1972, where they lost in a real classic to Kilkenny, but in 1971 they had crashed out against Limerick in the first round, two years later Tipp put them out in the semi-final and in 1974 (after having hammered Limerick in the League final), they suffered a dramatic defeat at the hands of Waterford in Walsh Park.

With Justin McCarthy as coach (and Jimmy Barry-Murphy making his debut in the opening round against Waterford), Cork won the Munster final of 1975, only to be beaten by Galway in Croke Park. That marked the county’s first defeat in a semi-final.

Later that year the County Board changed its method of picking selectors (giving the nomination to the county champions). Christy Ring was included in the new committee which appointed Fr Bertie Troy as coach.

Success followed with All-Ireland victories in the following three years (giving the county their first treble since 1952-4, when Ring was a player). And, with thoughts of making it four-in-a-row, they again went under to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The result was doubly significant for the reason that it was the first time since 1958 that the champions had been beaten at this stage.

Kilkenny had ambitions of a treble in 1984, having beaten Cork in the previous two finals.

However, Wexford knocked them out in the Leinster semi-final by a goal. GAA President Nickey Brennan was a member of the Kilkenny team and he failed with a late 65 in his attempt to try and set up an equaliser.

Galway were next up, winning the finals of 1987 and 1988 and captained both years by Conor Hayes. However, they went out in the 1989 semi-final to Tipperary in a stormy encounter which saw two of their players — Sylvie Linnane and Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath — sent off.

Tipp went on to win their first title in 18 years.

Once more in 1993 Kilkenny had high hopes of three-in-a-row (which they achieved once, in 1911-3). As on the previous occasion they had beaten Cork in the previous two finals, but again failed to get out of Leinster.

Offaly were the dominant side in the provincial semi-final, going 10 points clear at the three-quarters stage, before late goals from DJ Carey and James Brennan put a respectable look on the scoreboard.

Kilkenny’s third attempt is linked to Cork’s recent successful run — they were bidding for a treble when the counties met in the 2004 final. They had high hopes after winning in 2002 against Clare and Cork the following year.

There was a lot of pride at stake for Cork and what gave the game added spice was the fact that the two counties were together at the top of the All-Ireland title race, with 28 each.

But Donal O’Grady had the Cork team expertly prepared and they scored a memorable victory, finishing eight points clear. Kilkenny paid a price for missing an early goal chance and while they led 0-7 to 0-6 at half-time, they were to fail to add to their total after scoring two quick points on the resumption.

Who mentioned banana skins!