‘Any time you play Kerry you want to win’

OTHER than flopping in the qualifier competition in Hyde Park in 2003 and losing to Fermanagh in Croke Park the following year, the only real black mark against the Cork footballers relates to their collapse in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry two years ago.

It happened again at the same stage 12 months ago, except that this time it was a more ‘respectable’ defeat (in the sense that only six points separated the teams, compared to 13). And, as selector John Corcoran points out, there were mitigating circumstances.

Graham Canty was a notable absentee after suffering a serious knee injury in the Munster final replay, which meant that the Cork management had to ‘re-jig’ their team. On top of that, the team ‘didn’t play to their potential.’ Conversely, the Kingdom were a revitalised side after having laid down an important marker in their quarter-final victory over Armagh. “If you were to be clinical about it, Kerry won the game that mattered,’’ says Corcoran.