Rebel optimism rises as forwards given free rein

There are no recriminations but a Cork forward’s standard of living has improved a good deal of late.

That’s not to say Conor Counihan held them back. Hell, there wouldn’t have been a 2010 without scores. But he saw things one way; it’s already clear Brian Cuthbert, his former selector and current manager, sees them another.

Counihan’s philosophy involved minding the house and grinding down teams. When asked why Cork were so deliberate going forward with the ball, he explained in 2010: “People are talking about the direct ball. If you have five defenders in the full-back line against three full-forwards it doesn’t make sense. That’s my perspective, others have a different point of view.”

Cuthbert, it appears, comes from the school of thinking that it’s more advantageous to get the ball into the inside line before the opposition set their rearguard in formation.

But unlike his predecessor, he now has a bounty of forward options that has absorbed the loss of Ciarán Sheehan. Like Jim Gavin last year, one of Cuthbert’s biggest headaches come summer will be picking his best attack.

“When Brian came in, he set down his marker on how he felt Cork would play,” says Mark Collins. “We’ve been working on that as much as we can and we seem to be improving at it. Obviously, we’re not the finished article but we’re making steps.

“It’s very enjoyable, getting good, quick ball. Obviously, we know some of our best players are in the inside forward line. Daniel [Goulding], Colm [O’Neill] and Brian [Hurley] would be three of our best players so it’s good to get the ball into them early.

“But, you know, 10 or 12 fellas could play in that six come Championship. Look at Cathal Vaughan the last day. You probably don’t know your best six at this time of the year. Closer to the championship, we should find out. I’d say Brian doesn’t know it at the moment.”

Daniel Goulding chirps the same tune about the more offensively-minded Cork. “It is exciting. We’re delivering the ball in fast and getting together the structure of how we want to play.

“There are probably 12 lads who can play in the six positions and they all know what’s required of them and that allows you to be a bit more expansive.”

But transitional this Cork team continues to be. Collins, even though he only made his championship debut in 2011, now finds himself catapulted into a more senior role because of the glut of off-season retirements.

“I’m 24 now and there are only four or five older, the guys who have been around since 2010. We have to kick on and really try to be the leaders. I have only been on the fringes but it’s time I stepped up.

“There is no fear in the younger players. You saw some of that with UCC last weekend [in the Sigerson]. They were coming up against a star-studded UUJ team but they weren’t overawed. That’s what the young players have brought into the panel this year. They don’t fear anything and are really going for it.”

With Sheehan heading Down Under and half-a-dozen calling time on themselves, Cork’s All-Ireland odds lengthened before they had kicked a ball under Cuthbert.

“I don’t take much notice of people writing off Cork,” insists Goulding. “I’m only interested in what’s being said inside the camp. They know we’ll be there or thereabouts and just because a couple of lads have gone doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. We still have lads who have been around long enough to bring the experience to the table. Things are just evolving again. There’s a strong abundance of talent in Cork and everyone realises that. This is a good chance to start afresh. ”

As for the long-held view Cork underachieved under Counihan, Goulding says: “It’s not something you can dwell on too much. Not too many teams have dominated in recent years.

“Dublin are the only side who have won two All-Irelands and a lot of it comes down to small things. There were elements of the Dublin game last year that if we got right we could have won that game. Similarly, there were other times like in 2009 when we might have done things a little differently and won but that’s a long time ago now. We’re trying to learn from all of that.”

During the week, Cork captain Michael Shields spoke of watching back on last August’s quarter-final defeat to Dublin and considering the ‘what ifs’. Collins and Goulding have done the same, the latter regretting the goal opportunities they didn’t take. “I think we were outplayed in small parts. We could never get close to them. We’d one or two chances but just didn’t take them and in the end they probably over-ran us.”

Their opponents this evening, he says, have set the bar but not the example. Cork intend attacking, sure, but doing it under their own steam. “Dublin play and bring a lot of confidence. How we play can’t resemble what they do.

“We know we have to get up to their level and Mayo’s but we have to do it in our own way.”