Counihan reports fitness all-clear for Cork

Cork manager Conor Counihan expects to have a full squad to choose from for Sunday week’s All-Ireland football semi-final with Donegal at Croke Park.

Corner-back Ray Carey had to retire with a hamstring injury in the Rebels’ quarter-final win over Kildare and missed Avondhu’s county championship win over Ilen Rovers last Saturday as a result, but he is likely to be fit again for the clash with the Ulster champions.

“I expect everyone to be fit and available for selection,” Counihan said.

“We’re confident that Ray will be alright, we’ll have a full squad to select from, touch wood.

“Every manager wants to have a full squad available, we’re no different to that, last year we were unfortunate in that regard.”

Cork triumphed by 13 points in the Kildare match, a win that came on the back of a 12-point win against Clare in the Munster final. The lack of a close match since the provincial semi-final win over Kerry at the start of June is a worry for Counihan, however.

“We performed well early on and then fell asleep, we got back on top and they (Kildare) had a man sent off.

“I don’t think, by Kildare’s standards, that they played well. If they had and we had won by two or three points, I’d be much happier, but I don’t think they played particularly well.

“That was a disappointment, if that had been tighter and tougher we’d be in a happier place, you’d know exactly, if push came to shove, where you were at.”

Push is likely to come to shove against Donegal, and Counihan believes it is important Cork don’t let them set the terms of engagement.

“You have to be careful that they don’t set the terms, you try to set your own terms.

“That’s one of the big challenges. Their whole set-up is quite good, their defensive strengths are well known, they don’t concede big scores and they get enough then to get over the line in terms of scores at the other end.

“There’s a good balance, a good team effort and plan which they believe in.”