Counihan laments poor fare
After 15- and 18-point wins over Clare and Waterford respectively, the Aghada man believes he won’t know where his team stand until Killarney on Sunday week.
Counihan also believes their July 3 opponents Kerry’s aspiration of regaining the crown they last won in 2009 have been damaged by two 11-point victories over Tipperary and Limerick respectively.
“For the first time in a number of years, the Munster championship has been a disappointment in terms of competitive matches and I don’t think either of the two teams will have learned a whole pile from their games to date,” he said.
“That’s a bit of a disadvantage not at this stage but even at the next stage because good championship games are what it’s all about.”
Counihan concedes he has “learned nothing” about his team in their two championship outings in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
“I’m as happy as I can be at this stage but the reality is I’ve learned nothing to date.
“I don’t really know where we are and I don’t think any manager knows where he is until he’s out in the heat of championship in a competitive situation.
“I’ll have a fair idea of where we are at five o’clock on July 3.”
It gives Counihan some comfort to know Kerry are in the same boat as Cork in terms of a lack of battle-hardiness.
He also acknowledges the four weeks since their semi-final win over Waterford and Kerry’s against Limerick have also given the teams hurdles to negotiate.
“It’s difficult but it’s the same for both teams. A bit of continuity would help. That’s what we have and that’s what you have to deal with.
“I have to accept that the results in the championship to date have shown significant imbalance but to be fair to everyone if you said at the start of the year that this is how it would turn out you wouldn’t have made money.”
Counihan is also aware that if there are victors in Fitzgerald Stadium on Sunday week it will represent just one game in eight weeks as they face a month’s break before the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
He agrees the championship structure could be bettered but is aware of the problems in attempting to tighten the competition.
“That’s a difficult one. You have to keep yourself sharp in terms of training.
“You want to compact the season a bit more? Yeah, it’s a possibility but I imagine logistically that’s easier said than done.
“The GAA have needs to meet in terms of sponsors and TV and all that sort of thing. Can it be improved? There’s no doubt anything can be improved so there is room for improvement alright but I try and keep it very simple.
“What we are presented with we control and the bigger picture we don’t get involved in until the season is over and we can debate it but all we’re now just focused on what we can do.”
Cork captain Graham Canty says the team are not overly concerned about facing another four-week break should they beat Kerry.
“It is what it is. You have to work with what you have. I think we played Donegal (in the 2009 All-Ireland quarter-final) after not playing for six weeks and we did quite well.
“You just deal with the hand you’re dealt with and you try and keep training as intense as you can. Ideally, you’d look for a game every three weeks. But that’s the championship structure that we have.”
With the final just over a week away and serious training winding down, Counihan was in the happy position of reporting an injury free camp.
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