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.