Kerry have Cussen on their minds

THERE’s scope for nit-picking. But it’s a more accurate reflection of Cork’s value to point to the fact that yesterday, they secured a place in a fourth All-Ireland semi-final in-a-row.

Conor Counihan, his management and panel of players are in a good place. There are more options off the bench, more square pegs for square holes. Consequently, the shape of the side on the field looks better. They have Derek Kavanagh pencilled in at full back, picked up Alan O’Connor as a back-up midfielder, and have John Hayes on fire up front Anthony Lynch is back to full fitness and Daniel Goulding is playing with the confidence of a man assured of his place. Not to mention that Michael Cussen is in serious danger of forcing me to change my opinion of his worth.

Of course, none of that will matter if Kerry do their usual Croke Park number on Cork in two weeks’ time.