Joe Kavanagh: Cork’s lack of height exposed

Former Cork star Joe Kavanagh believes that Dublin have established a template for beating the Rebels that other counties could copy.

Cork were beaten by 11 points in Sunday’s Allianz FL Division 1 final, with the Dublin putting the short kickout strategy under severe pressure. In Kavanagh’s view, the problems stemmed from a lack of height at midfield, forcing the hand of manager Brian Cuthbert.

“Dublin knew that if they pushed right up on Cork, they’d catch them. It meant that Cork were starting from further back the field and couldn’t work the ball out, so they were at a disadvantage straightaway.

“I think the lack of height at midfield was a huge disadvantage, it denied them the chance to win primary possession and get it into the forwards. We know that Brian Hurley and Colm O’Neill can do the business when they get the ball, so it all came from midfield, I think.

“It was there for all to see on Sunday though and now teams know what will work against Cork, so it’s an avenue that’s gone, almost.”

Alan O’Connor is due to return to the panel this week, though, and Kavanagh hopes that that might herald a return to a more conventional approach.

“You can see why they wanted to get Alan O’Connor back and hopefully Ian Maguire will be available again soon, because you need that kind of physical presence. Even if they’re not winning the ball cleanly, they’ll break it and then you can have players in there to mop up possession. If you don’t have that option, you’re under pressure from the start.

“I’d be worried as well about the wing-backs bombing forward too much as it can leave the team open.

“When you’re playing there, your first job is to defend and I think that going with a more conventional and less gung-ho approach would suit Cork.

“You look at Paul Kerrigan, when he has been used he has been almost back at centre-back and, fair enough, he might be able to use his pace from there, but you need scoring forwards closer to goal. You’re not going to win if they’re not getting the ball.”

Despite the loss, Kavanagh isn’t bereft of hope with regard to Cork’s championship chances. They play either Clare or Limerick in the Munster SFC semi-final in mid-June and he expects them to have improved by then.

“When you set out in the championship, the first aim is to be there at the August weekend for the All-Ireland quarter-finals,” he said.

“I think Cork will do that — Kerry might be too strong for them, but I still think they’re in the top four or five teams in the country.

“Last year, they were only a kick of a ball away from beating Mayo and getting to a semi-final, so if you have a bit of luck you can go far. I’d still think there’s another step up to the likes of Kerry and Dublin, but I wouldn’t think that all is lost, there’s a lot of football to be played yet.”