Wing-backs and wing-forwards are crucial to Cork’s kickout strategy

The bush telegraph in Cork this week buzzed with speculation that Alan O’Connor was going to come out of retirement.

The rumour was put to bed quickly — reports O’Connor had donned a cape were also untrue — but there was little surprise it had gained currency such were the team’s difficulties at restarts against Kerry.

From the outset of the season, it was obvious midfield was the one area where, for all their options elsewhere, they were coming up short. O’Connor had bowed out just a year after Nicholas Murphy made way.