Counihan’s new Cork tenure delights Kerrigan

Paul Kerrigan is delighted Conor Counihan is staying on as Cork manager but said the players would have understood had he opted to leave the position.

When the Aghada man’s last term elapsed after the 2010 All-Ireland final triumph, members of the panel were in contact with him to remain on.

However, there was more space given to Counihan on this occasion as he contemplated remaining at the helm for a third term.

“The lads would have great respect for Conor and would have been happy with whatever he decided to do because he deserved to make the choice himself,” said Kerrigan.

“He’s taken on the job for two more years and things will be shaken up a bit.

“There’ll be new men coming in and that’s what the players will be looking at. But then Conor has always said that each year is a new year and it has to be treated differently.

“Barry O’Driscoll and Eoin Cotter were getting more game-time this year and more players will get opportunities next season.”

While understanding their reasons for leaving, Kerrigan was disappointed to learn that selectors Ger O’Sullivan, Jim Nolan and Terry O’Neill will no longer be part of the backroom team.

“The likes of Jim and Ger have been there since when Billy (Morgan) took over when things were fairly low and they have made great contributions.

“The fellas (players) made great friends with them and all of us would wish them the best of luck. They are great supporters of Cork football so we’ll be seeing them around the place.”

In deciding to stay on for another two seasons in 2010, Counihan suggested the team had more in them.

Yesterday, he reiterated those sentiments and set the All-Ireland title as Cork’s goal once again.

“It is a huge commitment and if you’re not prepared to give it 100%, then you have no business being there,” he told thescore.ie.

“I had to give it time before deciding and I’d be conscious that I have been there for a while in the position. You always challenge yourself to see can you bring the team forward. You need to look at yourself first and your ability to manage and it’s important to decide what’s best for the team.

“Now that the decision is made, I just have to go for it. If I didn’t think there was more in this team, I wouldn’t be back.

“Our ultimate aim was to win the All-Ireland this year yet we didn’t manage it which was very disappointing. Rectifying that is going to be our aim in 2013.”

Cork’s 2012 season was ended by would-be All-Ireland champions Donegal at the semi-final stage although Kerrigan felt the team had prepared well for the game.

“We would have thought all the boxes were ticked. Not just us but every other county has to now figure out a way of beating the system and matching their fitness and intensity levels.

“In two years they showed that a team can improve so much. It wasn’t so long ago that we hammered them by 15 or 20 points but we’re like every other team now chasing them.”

However, the Nemo Rangers forward will be taking some positives going into 2013.

“Our defence has been the rock we’ve been built on but it goes unnoticed.

“We were the only team not to concede a goal in this year’s Championship.”