Podsie: Cork can take second chance

A GOLDEN chance that slipped them by or further proof of their ability to test the best?

That’s the conflicting opinions surrounding Cork’s Munster SFC semi-final tie last Sunday, where a five-point lead in the 59th minute morphed into a draw by the final whistle. Cork have been left scarred frequently in recent years by their personal experiences with Kerry, yet former inter-county attacker Podsie O’Mahony reckons that last Sunday was not one of those damaging days.

“They did lose a lead late on and didn’t seem to have the killer instinct. Kerry capitalised and then had their late purple patch. For all the talk about Cork not being further ahead, you have to remember Kerry missed a penalty and five good scoring chances in the first half. People say Kerry were awful but they did create a lot of chances. I think this Cork team has been through enough big games to focus on what’s ahead tomorrow and not let last week affect them.”

A central issue ahead of this evening’s replay is the composition of the team line-ups. Cork circulated a starting 15 during the week but it is widely expected to be tweaked before throw-in. Cork’s gravest injury worry is defender John Miskella and having soldiered alongside him at club and county level for several years, O’Mahony is well placed to appreciate the Ballincollig man’s influence.

“Johnny has become a serious player for Cork. Clearly he’s been identified as the man to mark Declan O’Sullivan, as seen when he went back to corner-back on him. Johnny’s like an extra forward when he attacks with the ball and you saw when he went off injured, Declan came more into the game. He’d be a huge loss if ruled out.”

The Ballincollig representation extended beyond Miskella, with Patrick Kelly making his starting debut at senior level. The shot for goal Kelly dragged wide midway through the second half came in for most attention, but O’Mahony rails against that focus.

“The way I see it the modern day wing-forward is no longer about scoring. I’d reckon Paul Galvin and Brian Dooher are the top two wing-forwards in the country, and tell me how much do they score? Not a whole lot. That’s the way football has gone. So if you look at Pa’s overall game, more than just one chance, I thought he did very well. He covers a lot of ground, does the simple things right and roams the pitch very well.”

In the attacking areas, O’Mahony feels there is scope for improvement.

“I’d love to see Cork getting Paul Kerrigan on more ball. This year he’s been the most consistent Cork forward in the league, the Sigerson Cup and everything. As regards the full-forward line, the ball’s got to go into them quicker. Now that was difficult to do the last day as Kerry retreated into defence like Tyrone would. If the forward doesn’t get the ball on his first run, he’s going to be swamped thereafter. So they’ve got to get it straight away.”

O’Mahony believes defeat won’t derail either side from winding up in August action.

“I’ve felt over the last few years that Kerry, Tyrone and Cork are the top three teams in the country, and both Cork and Kerry will be there in the latter stages. If Cork were to lose now, I think Counihan will still have them well tuned in for the backdoor. There’s going to be very little between them. Home advantage could help Cork.”