Counihan focused despite Rebel row

CORK football manager Conor Counihan, fortunate enough to enjoy the wholehearted backing of his players, is refusing to be drawn into a public debate about the squad downing tools at the end of the Allianz National League if there is not a resolution to the hurling strike.

His sole focus is on the upcoming games, with a second round tie away to Kildare in Newbridge on Sunday (2.30pm) and continuing until April 12 when the team will complete its preliminary programme with a meeting against Armagh in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Unless peace breaks out on the hurling front (or in the extremely unlikely event of the football squad having a change of heart), that will be the last of their competitive outings unless they manage to win a place in the Division Two final.

But as far as Counihan and the management are concerned, it is simply a matter of concentrating on the league and putting other considerations aside.

“I have not made any comment to date on that, nor do I intend to. All I’m doing is preparing the team as best I can for the matches that are there — and drive on from there,’’ he said.

The game at the weekend will be their first against the Lilywhites in the league in almost eight years — since Cork won 1-12 to 1-11 in the Division 2 semi-final before going under to Westmeath. Last season, of course, they clashed in the championship, when an improving Kildare side playing more to (then, new manager) Kieran McGeeney’s liking lost by just a goal.

The Cork boss expects a severe test, dismissing the notion that they got one from Meath in the opening round in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. As far as the Royals are concerned, he feels their poor showing was accounted for by the combination of a change of manager and the ban on collective training during November and December.

“I suppose they are going through a transition and with the closed season, that’s extremely difficult for managers and teams that are trying to develop,’’ he commented. “At least we were ‘going’ right up to August and we are somewhat settled. At the same time, I would not see us settled — but a lot closer to being settled than they are.’’

In the short term, Counihan says that while Cork’s ambition is to try and maintain their status in the group, the priority will be to try out as many of their “extended panellists” as possible. “That would be the biggest thing for us, but obviously we want to be competitive as well.’’

Using Graham Canty at centre-back and Pearse O’Neill in the Meath game — and picking Fintan Goold at centre-forward — Counihan says that they’ll be flexible in terms of where they place key members of the team going forward. “We’re not talking about any specific area — what we will be looking for is improvement overall.

“At times last year we should have got more of what we had in terms of possession, putting more scores on the board. And, maybe at the other end we gave up a few scores that we shouldn’t have. If we can get a few per cent improvement in all areas, that will make us more competitive.’’

Looking at the quality of the other teams in the group — Monaghan, Fermanagh and Wexford, along with Armagh — Counihan reckons every game is a real test. And, he senses that a year on from taking over in Kildare, McGeeney will have his team performing at a higher level.

“They are much more settled now than at the earlier stages last year. They are going to be a force to be reckoned with,’’ he added.

“They pushed us hard last year and they’ll take confidence from that — and we’re going to their backyard.”