When the body language speaks volumes

IT was difficult to gauge the mood of both sets of supporters leaving Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday. Cork, of course, are bound to be pleased after a comprehensive defeat of their age old rivals, and their first championship win over Kerry in five attempts.

That feeling will be tempered by the fact that they’re unlikely to be subjected to the type of examination against Clare next month that would steel them for the real business in August.

Nevertheless, there is an awful lot for Conor Counihan’s charges to be positive about. They got some valuable game time into the likes of Daniel Goulding, Ciarán Sheehan and Nicholas Murphy. The confidence gained from a really solid defensive display will reassure and nourish them in the weeks of downtime ahead and they emerged from the scrap without issues of injury or indiscipline to bother them. They looked composed and purposeful anytime Kerry came near them.