Counihan: We have lost the battle but not the war

THE All-Ireland football champions hit their first significant roadblock in Fitzgerald Stadium yesterday.

Cork had ticked all the right boxes in 2011 before yesterday’s Munster final but a collision with Kerry brought defeat and raised concerns they must address.

Aside from the disappointment with the result, manager Conor Counihan had plenty of injury worries to occupy him. The sight of Ciarán Sheehan stretchered off with a potentially damaged cruciate was foremost in his thoughts