VIDEO: Cork must rise to the occasion, says Brian Hurley

Brian Hurley doesn’t share the general view that Cork were caught on the hop by Kerry in last year’s Munster final. The Rebel attacker is more inclined to see that game as a matter of Cork not performing on the day.

“Our own performance wasn’t up to the standard. On big days you have to turn up and bring everything you have. That day only four or five fellas played properly, and the other 11 didn’t.

“You need all your good players popping up on the day, and we didn’t. Personally I didn’t feel anywhere near my best, so I’ll be looking to perform as well as I can this Sunday.”

Hurley is one of a long line of Cork players who’ve enjoyed underage success against the Kingdom.

“Since I was a boy, all I wanted was to go down and play football against Kerry, and I’m lucky enough to have that opportunity. Would I fear them? No. We’ve won minor down there, five years ago, so that’s what I remember. The last 20 years aren’t what I’d be looking at — my focus is Sunday in Killarney.

“People are quick to change their minds, and to cut throats, but if there are 10 people down there or 20,000, or 40,000, as long as I’m playing in a Munster final, I’ll enjoy it as much as I can. What people think of how we’re going, that doesn’t really concern me, as long as our camp has the focus right. You have to have confidence going into a game. We’re not cocky but we believe we can win it. You’d be crazy to be going into a Munster final if you didn’t believe you could win it.”

Clare stuck with Cork for 40 or 50 minutes in the semi-final, and Hurley sees a need for a huge improvement for Sunday: “The first game is always a case of ‘what’ll turn up, will it be a slow start or all guns blazing’. I thought we were balanced throughout the game, we needed scores and got scores. We’ll have to up it a few gears for Killarney and the All-Ireland champions, we’ll have to bring it all with us.”

Hurley expects Kerry to have a good strategy prepared for the weekend: “You’re playing a cute team full of good footballers. We know they’ll come with a balanced game, they have the players to vary it, and the best thing we can do is focus ourselves and bring our best game.

“You can talk about tactics but every player has to be willing to give it everything, to believe he can win it. That’s what it’ll come down to on the day. If every man wins his battle, we should come out on top — I know when you say it, that it sounds easy, and we know it won’t be.

“We’re expecting a huge battle in Killarney, and we’re hoping to put in a good performance. I think we need to prove ourselves, there’s a lot of questions being asked and we need to answer those.”

If Kerry’s tactics include screening Hurley from the men outside, he’s ready.

“It’s the way the game is going, you just have to get used to it. I came across it a good bit with Castlehaven, so that prepared me a bit, but there are cuter, smarter players at inter-county level.

“Against that, though, you’re playing with the likes of Donncha O’Connor, Pa Kelly, John O’Rourke, Mark Collins — fellas who’ll find you in half-a-yard of space, between markers. That makes my game easier.

“If you’re up against a tough defence, it’s up to you to make your mark, otherwise you won’t be noticed and you might not get picked the next day. You have to come up with something.”

Asked about the possibility of meeting Dublin in the qualifiers, Hurley says he is concentrating on Sunday.

“I wouldn’t focus on the negatives, my intention is to go to Killarney to win. I know it won’t be easy but I’m not training all year to go into the qualifiers. My focus is on the Munster final and lifting the cup, I’m not looking past that to the qualifiers.”