Cork boss annoyed by lack of consistency

Job done as far as the result was concerned, but for manager Conor Counihan there is plenty of work to do.

The Cork boss was quick to acknowledge that a similar performance against Kerry in three weeks time simply wouldn’t cut it.

We did get a test, they put a bit of pressure on us, but we got through in the end.”

Cork had nine points to spare at the finish, but Counihan was disappointed with his team’s inconsistency. The winners stormed into an early five point lead, but the concession of a string of scores allowed their opponents back into contention.

“I wasn’t worried, annoyed is more the description you would use for the way we sat back and let them come at us. We gave them the initiative, but you have to give them credit as well.

“They weren’t going to lie down, we knew that after last year. We were fortunate last year because we got three handy goals, this year we didn’t get those. We were lucky we had that bit of a cushion all the time.

“The challenge for us is to become more consistent as the championship progresses.”

In front of goal, the likes of Goulding, Hurley and Kerrigan kicked some terrific scores, but there was also an element of wayward shooting amongst the Cork forward unit, underlined by the 12 wides racked up throughout.

“It wasn’t the greatest day ever with the conditions and particularly with the way the Clare players got behind the ball. That aspect wouldn’t be the most worrying.”

The sight of Aidan Walsh, Alan O’Connor and Ciaran Sheehan residing in the stand is testament to the strength in depth of this Cork outfit and Counihan said it was difficult to pick a starting 15. Mind you, he expects a similar headache against Kerry on July 7.

“It will pan out with how the lads fare on the training ground. Some people had missed a few sessions and that impacted on the team selection for this game. You can take it as a rule that if you don’t do it on the training ground, you won’t be on the field. The way modern game is gone you need to have subs you can call on.”

Indeed, this was the first point picked up on by defeated Clare manager Mick O’Dwyer.

“Did you see the men they brought off the bench? They’d be on any team in Ireland.

“We missed three points early on, if we’d scored those ... they did bloody well. Our fellas kept going but Cork are a big team, they’re a good team, and they’ll have a big say in the championship.”