Slocum confident Counihan can deliver for Cork

FORMER star Michael Slocum, for whom next Sunday’s trip to Killarney for the Munster SFC semi-final will evoke special memories, is happy to think that the different elements falling into place will enable Cork to make a serious bid for an All-Ireland title win.

In order of priority, he believes their success in drawing with Kerry in Croke Park last year gives them a major psychological boost and he takes great encouragement from the development of forward talent which he feels will make the team even more competitive – if not this year, then certainly in the short term.

He was a key member of the Cork team which recorded a treble in the All-Ireland U21 championship in 1984-85-86 (when he was captain) and had a League medal in his pocket when he travelled to Fitzgerald Stadium for the Munster final of 1989.

They were the champions – on their way to winning back-to-back All-Ireland titles during the county’s most successful era in the history of the competition – and Slocum was a substitute on the day.

But, within about 10 minutes he was making his championship debut after Denis Walsh – the current Cork hurling manager – was forced off injured.

And, he was to become a permanent fixture in the half-back line, playing alongside Conor Counihan.

He is impressed by the team’s continuing progress, most of all by the number of young players who are coming through from the under-age ranks (much the same as during his own time).

“More importantly, there seems to be very good forwards coming through and that’s something which the likes of Kerry always had over us in the past.

“But we seem to be producing a lot of forwards now.

“This year’s U21 victory is obviously a big boost as well.’’

While impressed by the progress made under Counihan’s guidance, he’s not surprised.

One of the things he remembers most about his former team-mate is that ‘he always had mental toughness’.

“He was a great communicator, a great man to talk. No doubt about it,’’ he commented.

“Conor also had huge leadership qualities and the other thing about him was that he was never afraid of anything, any challenge.

“He was up to anything really.

“Every year in the Munster final, the semi-final or whatever, you’d always give Cork a chance (against Kerry).

“The problem has always been Croke Park, but I think last year’s two games there will give Cork huge confidence,’’ he added.

“I think now we are getting to the stage where we are almost on par with Kerry, in that no matter when you play them you would certainly be going in with confidence.’’

With Kieran Donaghy ruled out (he’s currently recovering from surgery on a foot fracture), he senses that Cork may have an even better chance of coming out on top.

“I would rather see him missing than playing to be honest about it think he’s a great player, a guy who distributes the ball well and very intelligent.

“There’s no doubt he is going to be a big loss, but having said that when you look at the Kerry squad they are not going to be short of forwards,’’ he points out.

Conversely, he feels that the return of Glanmire’s Michael Cussen gives the Cork management an extra option in attack.

“For me forwards always win games. With the likes of Paul Kerrigan coming on, as well as other guys, I think Cork are producing forwards that will enable them to hopefully win on Sunday – and have a right cut off the All-Ireland.’’