Slocum backs under-fire Cuthbert to revive Rebels

ALL-IRELAND SFC ROUND 4A:

Cork, beaten by 12 points by the Kingdom, face into a qualifier clash against Sligo tomorrow evening with a much-changed team.

Slocum, the club manager of Ian Maguire at St Finbarr’s, who makes his senior debut at midfield, admits that there is pressure but that victory could be the making of the side.

“Obviously, they’re under pressure, there’s no denying that,” the 1989 and ’90 All-Ireland medallist said.

“But I think Cubby [manager Brian Cuthbert] and the selectors have been slaughtered since the Kerry game. There has been some very unfair criticism from people on internet forums who can hide behind screen names.

“You have to remember how many players Cork are missing since last year and I’ve no doubt that nobody was hurting more than Cubby. That said, if you beat Sligo, then you’ll be going in against Mayo as underdogs and who knows what might happen?”

Slocum has been pleasantly surprised with the selection of his St Finbarr’s colleague Maguire, who is U21 again next year.

The powerful midfielder won a Sigerson Cup medal with UCC earlier this year and Slocum feels that he won’t have any problems stepping up.

“He has shown since U16 and minor, when he won county minor medals, he has huge quality,” he said.

“We always knew he’d make it, though we’re probably a bit surprised that it happened so fast. He has a desire to succeed and his greatest attribute is his attitude.

“It’s a measure of the guy that he’s so important to our team in the Barr’s even though he’s only 19 and part of the Cork training panel since the start of the year has helped to bring him on even further. He never looks for plaudits, he just does his best and if he plays well grand, if he doesn’t he just dusts himself off and goes again.”