Jack O’Connor warns wrong to write off Cork

Jack O’Connor is busy preparing the Kerry minor squad for a Munster final meeting with Tipperary on July 5, but while he fancies Kerry to win the senior final against Cork, he believes that it will be a lot closer than some pundits think.

He explained: “Strangely enough, I think that Cork are in a good position this year, because they have been written off a bit. The pressure will be on Kerry to perform. I suppose you would have to say Kerry are a small bit undercooked with James O’Donoghue not having a huge amount of football played. David Moran and Paul Murphy have also been injured, the Gooch is not back that long, and Tommy Walsh and Donnchadh Walsh having been carrying injuries. So it would be hard to see Kerry going as well this time last year.

“Then you can throw in the surprise element as that will be gone too.”

But O’Connor believes that being All-Ireland champions may give Kerry an edge: “Kerry will have gained an awful lot of confidence from winning the All-Ireland last year. They have a pretty set idea of how they want to play whereas Cork may not be one hundred per cent sure on how they are going to play. Kerry proved last year that they could adapt from game to game. Whether Cork have the players to adapt like Kerry, I have my doubts.”

Psychologically, O’Connor thinks Cork are in a better place than twelve months ago: “There is no pressure on them. All the pressure is on Kerry and Cork like playing in Killarney. Cork will not fear coming to Killarney, they like it in fact. The last time, Cork were down in Killarney, Kerry started very well but Cork fought back well in the second half and Kerry were hanging on”

But O’Connor still believes the Kingdom should prevail: “I still think they are the more settled side but I think Cork will set up better this year. Cork were caught last year with the way Kerry withdrew the half forward and thought they could run through the Kerry defence, but they got hit on the break.

“I don’t think Cork will leave oceans of space at the back again, so it might be a more cautious game by Cork. My old buddy Pat Flanagan is involved, so fitness will not be a problem.”

As for Tomás Ó Sé and his comments that suggested Cork were rudderless, O’Connor retorted: “Once the ball is thrown in, it will not matter too much. I don’t think there is no big deal about it. Maybe Tomás is hanging out with Joe Brolly too much!