Buoyant Rebels still wary of dangerous Limerick
“I remember sitting in the Gaelic Grounds stand a year ago and saying ‘lads we’re gone’, and then we got two goals to rescue it. We’ve already met Limerick in a challenge this year and they gave us plenty of it,” said the Castlehaven man.
Cork have gone from everyone’s second best bet for the All-Ireland to outright fancies after their eight-point defeat of Kerry in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.
They are now joint 11/4 favourites to win the All-Ireland, the same price as Tyrone and Kerry, who are on the drift. Dublin remain 15/2 while Derry are 14/1.
The difference with Cork could be self-belief, but Nolan says there always been recognition of their worth in the squad.
“Our aim at the start of the year was to get promotion from Division Two of the league and win a Munster title, and though we’re on course, we’ve only achieved one of those so far.
“However, our ultimate aim has to be the All-Ireland and I don’t believe there was ever a time with this group of players when they didn’t think they were capable of winning an All-Ireland. The difference is they are producing on the field now, because the players are more mature. But there’s still a lot of learning to do in order to win in September.”
Those pleadings for patience in the wake of All-Ireland U21 successes in 2007 and this season are being rewarded now, with Conor Counihan’s bench now containing players that can shore up a defence or change a game.
“We are still a young side, but there’s maturity there now,” Nolan said.
“They are young, and you can just drop them in and expect them to perform. Some of the lads who’ve been with us for a couple of years are only beginning to flourish now.”
Of course, the naysayers have already pointed out All-Irelands are not won in June, so unlike previous seasons, will the All-Ireland knockout phase see the best of Cork this year.
“Maybe when we went to Croke Park before we hadn’t the depth of talent,” Nolan accepted, “but we think we have now.”
His coach, Conor Counihan also pointed out that the intensity of training, with 30-odd players vying for a match-day squad jersey, has also helped.
However, the wisdom of introducing Valley Rovers’ Fiachra Lynch – who wasn’t even listed among the subs – for the final minutes last Saturday is a moot point.
Lynch captained the Cork juniors to their victory over Kerry nine days ago in Killarney, but his inconsequential cameo on Saturday rules him out of the Munster junior final against Clare on Thursday week in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
* Midfielder Nicholas Murphy is expected to be fit for the Munster final in three weeks time.
He limped out of the second half of Saturday’s victory with an ankle injury but it does not seem serious enough to rule him out of contention for the provincial decider.
The Cork management will be keeping their fingers crossed that no further injuries are incurred this weekend with 22 members of the panel involved in club championship fixtures.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
