Quirke: Rebels can prove they have strength in depth
With Daniel Goulding (ankle) the latest to follow Colm O’Neill and Ciaran Sheehan (both cruciates), the All-Ireland champions are deprived of a stunning triumvirate. Factor in the desperately unfortunate Barry O’Driscoll (jaw) and the Cork attack’s fangs are undoubtedly blunter, especially having lost so many of their predominantly left-footed players.
“It’s like the curse of the left leggers at the moment!” smiled Quirke.
“I don’t know who is going to take the frees next week — somebody said it might be Anthony Lynch!
“Look, it’s desperate for those lads to be missing high-profile matches. It’s an opportunity for somebody else and hopefully these fellas can come up to the mark.”
It’s from here on in against the likes of All-Ireland quarter-final opponents Mayo on Sunday that Quirke knows Cork’s resources are going to be tested to the limit. But the Valley Rovers man appreciates their own views on how good the camp is and knows their squad will come under scrutiny.
“The injuries are hitting us hard, there’s no doubt about it. We’ve always spoken about the strength of our panel and I suppose we’re about to find out exactly how strong it is.
“In fairness, some of the lads who came in stepped up to the mark and played well.
“We’re going to need that from everybody who is involved from now on.”
At least the midfield partnership of Alan O’Connor and Aidan Walsh has remained untouched by injury.
The iconic photograph of the in-form O’Connor collecting a dropping ball one-handed in last weekend’s win over Down will only serve to fuel the idea Quirke has tall, agile men to which he can aim his kick-outs.
But the idea that he’s blessed with totemic targets is something he has long questioned. And he’s in no mood to change his mind.
“Maybe there is a misconception out there about us having all these big men. Aidan Walsh is not a huge man. Alan O’Connor is just six foot two, six foot three. Most midfielders are that size now.
“You can keep kicking it down the middle all day if you want but that’s probably to the other team’s advantage to let them break it off you.
“So people have their opinions about kick-outs and every game is different because it depends what way the other team sets up against you.
“Maybe the next day it will be different again. We try to isolate our strong men in the air if we can but there is so much homework being done by opposing teams now as regards shutting down all options so it can be hard sometimes.”
The challenge of finding his men is one Quirke relishes, even now 12 years after playing his first game for Cork at senior level.
Turning 35 in October, his dexterity for a 6’4” man is just as good as it has ever been, as evidenced by his denial of Peter Fitzpatrick in the second half of last weekend’s qualifier.
Like 2010, he came later this year, Ken O’Halloran and Paddy O’Shea swapped the number 1 jersey between them during the successful Division 1 campaign. But the break did him the world of good.
“I’m really enjoying it this year. I’m pushing on now so I do tend to take a bit longer to recover from injuries.”
Not for one second was he perturbed by the two switches to the full-back line against Down, Eoin Cadogan and Eoin Cotter coming in for Jamie O’Sullivan and Graham Canty respectively.
“Ah no, in training you’re used to playing with all the lads. we’re well used to each other’s games. The two Eoins came in and did very well so the next day we have to drive on again.”
On the back of that dazzling performance against Down, Cork are strong favourites going into Sunday’s game but Quirke argues the result was not a true reflection on the game.
“Yeah, well, the scoreline [a 12-point win] probably flattered us in the end. They had a man sent off [Martin Clarke] and things opened up then for us. It’s good to be back on a winning trail but we only have a week to recover now so we need to use that time well.”
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